Worried about Amlodipine.

[Wulliec]

Hi, new to this , I've been prescribed amlodipine for high blood pressure, I have read bad things about this drug and now see an article in the Sunday Mail about if being recalled although I think this was in America. My problem is I'm having issues with numbness in my hands when I wake up, also I bought a BP monitor and my BP doesn't seem to be going down, I'm very fit and "healthy" apart from this, I'm going to call my doctors tomorrow but is this normal, does anybody else have problems on amlodipine? I'm 55 and male.

[Griff-64]

Welcome to the forum.First of all, don't take any notice of what you read about meds and America, they've only got to sneeze and the lawyers are on it.

Stick to UK sites like the NHS.

I'm on Amlodipine 5mg and Ramipril 10mg for high BP.

While I was unsure when I started taking Amlodipine a few weeks ago if they had much effect, I've kept an eye on my BP and its come down a bit, but needs a bit more adjustment, my Dr is very keen for me to take a higher dose if I think I need it.

Tell your Dr of your concerns, not all meds are suitable for everyone so you might be tried on something else.

The main thing is...... Don't panic, work with your Dr and it'll get sorted out.

[Wulliec in reply to Griff-64]

Thanks for that maybe just needs adjusting 👍

[Griff-64 in reply to Wulliec]

Dr's tend to start with a low dosage and adjust up till they get it right. We're merely Guinea pigs 😏.

[Auiron]

I've been on 5mg amlodopine for 14 years and a further three on 10mg. Then 13 days ago on 10mg Ramipril. These tablets can have very many effects on people and it is up to the individual to report any of these to their doctor many may have given up doing so during the coronavirus lockdowns.

The NHS gives some answers her: nhs.uk/medicines/amlodipine...

medicines.org.uk/emc/produc...

Under no circumstance overdose on 10mg amlodopine. I accidentally did this a while ago for 9 days and was fortunate to survive.

Over the years I've not been all that happy with amlodipine as it never seemed to bring my systolic blood pressure down enough. When taking advice or hints from others be very careful.

A neighbour is also on amlodipine 10mg and always told me he had no problems at all with them then four weeks ago he suffered a stroke a major brain bleed. Having worried over this being 12 years older I went to the doctor's surgery with my latest blood pressure results and so far Ramiprill is pushing my systolic reading down.

Some people suffer from periods of time each day with very high blood pressure for seemingly no reason. Also, it is not easy to know if any of us have weak spots in our arteries so keeping blood pressure down becomes extremely important as it is playing the odds game on this - not a nice or experienced way to put it.

I take 3 readings as my first is always higher even if I sit calmly for 5 minutes as often suggested. My latest 3 readings taken at 5 minute intervals are:

Results after taking RAMIPRIL

Systolic - 148... Diastolic 74 ... Pulse 63

Sys - 128... Dia 66 ... P59

Sys - 128... Dia 64 ... P58

-----

Sys - 134... Dia 71 ... P60

Sys - 120... Dia 65 ... P59

Sys - 123... Dia 70 ... P57

Results before taking RAMIPRIL

Systolic - 169 ... Diastolic 83 ... P70

Sys - 146 ... Dia 80 ... P61

Sys - 139 ... Dia 76 ... P62

-----

Sys - 161 ... Dia 87 ... P75

Sys - 146 ... Dia 77 ... P70

Sys - 139 ... Dia 73 ... P62

My age is 79.

These results after taking Ramipril as Amlodipine 10mg seems to have stopped working. My doctor said to carry on taking them.

Ramipril basically works by blocking a substance that causes blood vessels to tighten. Amlodopine relaxes the blood vessels.

[Hidden]

Hi, I've been on amlodopine 10m, ramipril 10m and other drugs for a few years now. No side effects at all. So personally I wouldn't worry 👍

[Theshed]

Hi, Wulliec, Like Snoweybm, I have been on amlodopine, along with a ‘cocktail’ of other meds, for nearly 3 years with no side effects.Only recently, after introducing, dropping and increasing different meds over the years, has my cardiologist come up with such a brilliant mixture that now I’m feeling “almost normal” (😜): a fantastic job, of which I am truly grateful.

I would rather not take the prescribed 6 daily tablets, but this concoction has hugely improved my quality of life. Keep your communications open and honest with your doctor/cardiologist and trust them to work at getting it right for you; I’m so grateful to mine.

Wishing you well.

[Ruthwuth]

Hi Wulliec, I have taken 10 mg daily of Amlodipine for the last two years. It took about three or four weeks for my BP to stabilise but it’s now down to the low 120s. I also suffer with numbness in my hand (left) but I think in my case it’s shoulder related. I’ve had swollen ankles by the end of the day but not uncomfortable. Hope your BP stabilises soon.

[Wulliec]

Thanks for all help/advice much appreciated 👍

[Tommo1947]

Hi ; it doesn't take long after reading these replies to realise that there is no 'one size fits all'.I was prescribed Amlodipine after routine BP check, and swelled up alarmingly, followed by Atrial Fibrillation. Yet, for thousands across the world, it's the first drug of choice, and safely used for years.

Keep up the dialogue with your doctor until the right combination is found ; don't worry, there are plenty of options...

[Wulliec]

Will do Thanks Tommo

[Carercmb]

Hi, your now on the right track to being sorted.I was prescribed the same medication as yourself two months ago and being reviewed again in two weeks time.My BP has come down but still very high .No sides effects and I do feel better. I understand the medication needs time to stabilise BP and I believe my dose will be increased.I am 77 and never taken medication in my life so was very reluctant to go down this route if there was another way I would take it, however I can see the benefits already and happy to listen to the experts who prescribe this for many .

[Dralex]

I am one of the unfortunate people who suffer serious side effects to a wide range of medications ( e.g. anti-platelets, anti-coagulants, beta blockers, PPIs etc) but I am pleased to report that there are a couple of drugs that my body is able to tolerate without any major problems. One is aspirin, and the other is amlodipine, which I have been taking since 2005! My BP back then was 173/97 but is now improved to a reasonably good 119/67. I too still get some numbness in my hands when waking up, but it soon wears off once i'm up and moving about.

[MountainGoat52]

Yes, we are all different... and how!!! I had serious problems with Amlodipine, as it affected me not only physically, but mentally too. I was changed to Losartan which I've now been on for over a decade with no issues. So try Amlodipine and see. There are plenty of alternatives available for lowering blood pressure.

[Bingo88]

Hello Wulliec. I had problems with Amlodipine. Had Lower leg ulcers. Which I still have the scars from. If your not happy with them. Plenty more they can give you. Good luck Brian

[Boxroad]

I have been on them for years with no issues, I hope they work for you.

[KBMosia]

Welcome to the forum. I am 66 and I was on 10 mg amlodipine for over five years and my blood pressure was stable. Then out of the blues I started to experience side effects , extreme anxiety. I checked the side effects on the leaflet that comes with the tablets and anxiety was tops. My doctor prescribed a different drug. Fed up with side effects I decided to research other ways to control blood pressure. After a lot of searching I discovered that adopting a healthy lifestyle was key. A mindset to eat healthy foods, exercise that includes aerobics and strength training, low salt intake, maintaining a healthy weight. I follow this way of living and I am now off my blood pressure medication. At 55 and any age for that matter, it is possible to change your lifestyle and be healthy. I know this because I did it. At my age I don't take any prescribed medication and that is what keeps me motivated to continue this lifestyle. Go on try it, you have nothing to loose but a lot to gain! Make sure you work with your GP and explain everything o him . Good luck

[dicynth]

Hello Wulliec,Side effects are often dosage related, so as someone on this forum pointed out, a combination of medications is often the answer. More does not necessarily mean better.

I was on a low dosage of amlodopine for years with no issues. Then I had 1 medication stopped and the amlodopine increased - and it had an immediate and negative effect on my bladder. Everyone is different, so advocate for yourself with your GP. They can make adjustments to rule out drug related side effects. Good luck!

[Kingsley09 in reply to dicynth]

Can you say what way it has effected you b!adder as I've just started on it and I already suffer with bladder I confidence I believe it stems from the pregabalin I take as I never had the problem before I take the pregabalin for pain relief thanks for any reply

[dicynth in reply to Kingsley09]

Hi Kingsley. With the increased dosage ( from 2.5 to 7.5) I started to get short sharp pains over the bladder area. I was up at least every 2 hours at night to pass urine. I then developed 2 urinary tract infections. With discontinuing the Amlodopine, these problems disappeared. But as I’ve indicated, these side effects are often dose related. I was on 2.5 for years with no problems. Good luck!

[Pearce1940oscar in reply to dicynth]

Thank you

[rizal]

For goodness sake, don't take your medical advice from the Daily Mail or any other newspaper. They had an article about a "new" drug for heart failure and claimed that one in ten sufferers die of it within one year of diagnosis. So obviously a false claim, designed purely to scare the pants off newly diagnosed patients. Diagnosis with HF is extremely worrying as it is without that rubbish being printed.

[PecanSandie]

I take 10 mg daily of amlodipine (along with a serious dose of metoprolol) and by BP for the first time in years is perfect even in the doctors office (no white coat syndrome!). The only side effect that I have experienced is puffy feet in the morning and afternoon (it's a known side effect).

[Sprinterknot]

Prescribed Amlodipine 5mg some time ago (3 years) could only take 2.5mgs my wish as driving my car I seemed to be "cotton wool " brain. This drug does take time to settle in a good 6 months. My other health is good and diet almost Vegan now. I will not do a daily BP test, as it took awhile to level.I took a reading to day and a normal level, As I felt the 5mg could help to revert to 5mg, last few weeks its a 5mg daily, to test out my health. Pills etc can be a tricky area but monitor, as other drugs may suit you its a testing time.

[Ascb]

Welcome! I can only speak from my own experience but I started on 5mg about 10 years ago, slight temporary side effects of headache and feeling nauseous - lasted a few weeks. I had to increase to 10mg a couple of years ago. I've not had any issue with it. Definitely stick to NHS information. Honestly, you can scare yourself half of death reading stuff on the internet!

[Heather1957]

I suspect you'll find an article criticising every drug - thankfully some of these drugs keep us alive. Sometimes it is the better of 2 evils!!

[Pearce1940oscar in reply to Heather1957]

The consultant said to me it’s better to put up with puffy feet than have a stroke or heart attack I started at 5 mg and my feet swelled up so much that I couldn’t put any shoes on reduced to 2.5 mg as they still swelled but at least I could put my shoes on and the lower dose kept my bp down to an acceptable level