Amlodipine

[Overweight11]

Hi. I have aortic valve stenosis. A (junior?) consultant has just prescribed amlodipine. The leaflet within the box specifically bullet-points not to take it. Who is right? TIA.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

The important word in the leaflet is "significant" stenosis. You need to double check with the consultant and/or GP before taking. Maybe ring 111 for guidance. As they say the devil is in the detail!

[Overweight11 in reply to MichaelJH]

That was quick! Thank you. My leaflet does not include the word" significant". My pills are by TEVA. Maybe you have a variant, with a slightly different warning. Confusing.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Overweight11]

I would check - on coronary arteries that is over 50%. My LAD was 85% pre bypass!

[Overweight11 in reply to MichaelJH]

Thanks again Michael. My stenosis is described as "mild". Anyway, I will wait until I nest see a medic. 111, meanwhile, were enthusiastic but unhelpful, in that they simply looked at the same web pages as myself. Ah well ....

[IanMK]

As I recall, most of the medications I take for heart failure include leaflets with warnings that they should not be taken if you have a heart problem

They were prescribed by my local hospital cardiology consultant so I like to think they know what they’re doing. I subsequently decided to see another cardiologist privately (because of the length of time diagnosis in the NHS was taking) and he confirmed that the meds are the same as he would have prescribed, so I had a second opinion too.

[Overweight11 in reply to IanMK]

Thanks Ian. It's true - when you read all the leaflet warnings, you wonder how safe it is to take any of these pills! Anyway, I am planning to see privately a cardio who I respect in order to reassure or otherwise. Bloomin' expensive, but worth it, surely. Meanwhile, I am delaying taking the rivaroxaban.

[Stevegg]

I had the same prescription when first diagnosed with aortic stenosis and also read the leaflet accompanying the tablets. I phoned my GP who spoke with the senior cardiologist who said it is probably OK but changed my prescription to another tablet. I subsequently had a replacement valve almost a year ago.

I agree with the advise of speaking with your GP.

[-fudge-]

I'm on Amlodipine to ...have been for years. Only diagnosed with Aortic stenosis last year at severe end of moderate cardio said. Just read leaflet with my tablets says "do not take if have narrowing of the aortic heart valve aortic stenosis " wow didn't realise this. Will be seeing my cardiologist Thursday so shall certainly query this.

[Overweight11 in reply to -fudge-]

Yea - if in doubt, just select another choice. But some GPs are quite sniffy about the request to change.

[Overweight11 in reply to Overweight11]

Actually, my GP stated i. you can probably trust the consultant who prescribed it (why???) and ii that it was most unlikely that Amlo could interfere with a stenotic valve. Hardly makes the case for taking it, does it?

[Hidden]

I've been taking Amlodipine for around 10 years (pre & post MI). I have an extensive cardiac history (multiple heart attacks, AVR surgery Oct 2015 and Pacemaker Implant Oct 2016). Like you, I queried the continuing use of Amlodipine both with my GP and Consultant Cardiologist (who is also Medical Director at my hospital). I was also prescribed Rivaroxaban post Pacemaker Implant. I continue to take both - in addition to Losarten, Aspirin and Atorvastatin.

My most recent echocardiogram (early August followed by exercise tolerance test because of periodic chest discomfort over recent months) showed my new valve has no disease, is working perfectly and my left ventricular function has improved markedly following surgery and re-modelling influenced by the introduction of Losarten.

It is too easy these days to start the old Google search and convince ourselves we know better than highly qualified and experienced specialists who prescribe in accordance with established/current best practice, balanced by the needs of individual patients.

Whilst like you, I read the PIL contained within the boxes, I also have the benefit of a wonderful wife (recently retired) who was a Superintendant Pharmacist to advise and query drug balance. I have absolute faith in my Cardiologist...

[Overweight11]

lb47 Thanks for that. Was the new valve for your aorta? Your experience is both interesting and still worrysome (to me) at the same time. The Amlo leaflet definitely says not to take it with aortic stenosis. And the same query arises on the BHF board with Rivaroxaban. I am not sure of the exact status of the cardio I saw who prescribed these two drugs, but he was certainly very junior - unlike your own.

So - safety first. I am due at the coag clinic next week, and will not take either until then (hopefully). Meanwhile, my ICD implanted in June has been a doddle. For the entire event I give the hospital (Barnet) 10 out of 10 - which is nice to be able to say.

Great to hear your own story, and long may it continue.

[Krazie]

I could not take the drug. In less than a month, I was having muscle spasms so bad that if I had something in my hand, it would be jerked out, and go flying across the room.