Alternatives to Amlodipine

[Richard9999]

Hello

I am 51 years old male, and for many years my blood pressure had been controlled by 100mg of Losartan (ACE Inhibitor) but my GP changed my meds this year adding Amlodipine (calcium channel blocker), firstly 5mg and now 10mg. My blood pressure now averages around 117/75. Before (just on Losartan) it was closer to 150/90. I had a hypertensive episode at Christmas ending up in A&E when my blood pressure reached almost 260/120 hence the change.

However, the amlodipine especially since it was increased to 10mg is making me feel nauseous and lightheaded and/or dizzy. A few years back I was solely on Amlodipine but had the very similar symptoms and eventually after a referral, a cardiologist recommended I switched from Amlodipine to Losartan as he thought this was causing the problem.

Does anyone have any experience of alternatives to amlodipine? Presumably you can't take two different forms of ACE Inhibitor if you are at the limit on one particular drug? I think Beta blockers might be a no go as my resting pulse is generally in the mid to high 50s which is quite low I think given I am not an athlete.

Thanks

[Madlegs1]

I was given Amlodipine 5mg first (180bp down to 140s). then Olmersatin 10mg ( brought it down to 120s.

I have had no discernible side effects from either.

My doctor was adamant in not doubling the Amlodipine.

Seems he was correct!!👍

[Happyrosie]

if you feel you’ve given your body sufficient time to get used to the new regime then maybe it’s time to go back to your doc. But you might find it helpful to browse the specialist charity website Blood Pressure UK.

[Richard9999 in reply to Happyrosie]

Thanks Happyrosie. I am not sure if 4 weeks is or isn't sufficient time for my body to get used to the new routine. I will probably give it another month before requesting an alternative if things don't improve but sounds like there are more side effects with Amlodipine than other CCBs.

[Dovedale4 in reply to Richard9999]

Hi Richard,

Losartan is not an ACE inhibitor, it's actually an ARB, so if you are not tolerating amlodipine, then maybe you could speak to your GP about replacing it with an ACE inhibitor such as ramipril for example?

Alternatively, you may have fewer side effects from an different CCB which is also something you could discuss with your GP.

It's very much a case of trial and error with BP medications and everyone experiences different side effects. I hope you are able to find an alternative that suits you.

[Richard9999 in reply to Dovedale4]

Thanks Dovedale4, definitely worth asking my GP to try something like Ramipril instead if there is no improvement.

[fmkkm]

Hey Richard, I have tried several bp meds and I have trouble with all of them. I’m taking Nifedipine now which is similar to amlodipine and it made me feel dizzy, lightheaded and just not well. I switched to taking it before bed and it’s tolerable now.

[Richard9999 in reply to fmkkm]

Thanks forwardmotion, good advice about taking meds in the evening. Maybe this will make a difference as the side effects are worse for the first 4 hours after taking meds.

[b1b1b1]

I switched from amlodipine to Olmesartan. I am not yet sure if I am on a high enough dose though. I will have to measure and may be increased.

[Johncr1]

I have been through all classes of blood pressure meds and none suited me for various reasons, all had side effects but I am taking lercanidipine and at the moment having minimal side effetcs

[Hidden]

I was on Amplodipine which lowered my blood pressure too much and made me feel dizzy when I stood up - I am now on Losarton at a as lower dose which seems to be working fine

[TVOReason]

Hi Richard 9999

Like many others I’ve tried numerous BP medications mainly the —-dipines and I suffered a lot with side effects now I’m on Candesartan and, touch wood, no side effects

[peterjones105]

When I was first prescribed Amlodopine I had all the symptoms that you have suggested plus muscle myalgia, it took me 8 months to finally rid myself of the side effects.Then my pharmacist started issuing me with Amlodopine Sandoz instead of Accord back came the myalgia grrrrrr.

[Tr33cy]

Richard, Have you tried the Dash Diet? If you do the Dash Diet (goal is less than 2000 MG of sodium daily and a minimum of 4700 MG of potassium daily) for 2 weeks straight, you may find that doing this alone can have such a significant impact on your BP that you won't need to be on 10 MG of Amlodipine (I too cannot tolerate 10 MG of Amlodipine, but have no discernible side effects on 5 MG). Download the Cronometer app onto your phone and enter everything you eat so you can see what your daily sodium (and other nutrients) intake is. Once you hit goal BP, you'll know your specific “sodium sweet spot”. It's a way better alternative to high dose/more meds filled with side effects when you just might be outsalting your meds).

[Richard9999 in reply to Tr33cy]

Thanks Tr33cy. Good advice regarding trying the DASH diet. I have been monitoring my sodium for the past few months and was pleased to get it under 5000 MG per day as it was a lot higher previously but 2000MG is a whole new level! Worth a try if I can reduce the amlodipine back down to 5mg.

[Tr33cy in reply to Richard9999]

Oh my! Yes….if your reduction is to 5,000, then your HBP certainly could be resolvable with DASHing (which is both low sodium and high potassium). Try the DASH diet book by Thomas Moore and for quick results (although you should read the whole book), hop to chapter 9 and follow the diet exactly as it is in the book for 2 weeks! If your BP is DASH sensitive, then your systolic should be down in 1 week and diastolic in 2 weeks. If it goes too low, you can reduce BP meds (of course while working with your doctor(s)). I learned this from Dr. Clarence Grim who is a BP/PA guru! Hope this helps!!

[Moneylover in reply to Tr33cy]

I would love to get BP down via increase in potassium and reduction sodium! I cook from scratch , normally no processed food and the only things I can think of that I eat daily that contain more than trace salt are a small amount of cheese and a single slice of bread . Does aDASH diet recommend avoiding these?

[Tr33cy in reply to Moneylover]

you certainly can eat those things. The DASH diet restricts your daily intake of sodium, not so much any specific food, except for processed food, which you've already eliminated. Highly recommend the use of the Cronometer app, it will let you know just how much sodium you're actually taking in daily, as well as potassium. Getting to 4700 mg daily can be challenging. On days I need help, I drink a low sodium V8 juice (which has 1250 MG of potassium in a can and 200 mg of sodium

[Orladog]

Amlodipine was the first BP medication I was given and gave me severe headaches. I changed to Lercanidipine and had very few side effects with this and the few mild ones I had went away after a few weeks. Lercanidipine might be a possibility (as suggested above).

[Cats2018]

Hi Richard, I was on ACE Inhibitor Lisinopril for many years before I began having episodes of Angioedema (swelling of throat & tongue among other symptoms) and had to go off of it. Was then put on Losartan (ARB) & unfortunately that caused the same problem with Angioedema. I’m currently on Beta Blocker Propranolol which does contribute to bradycardia so my heart rate was in the range of 43 to 46 all the time. I’m also not an athlete. Recently with my blood pressure becoming elevated the dose of my second prescription drug of Hydralazine was gradually increased unti I had better control of my blood pressure. What I found interesting is that as the Hydralazine dose was increased my heart rate increased as well. So I’m no longer in that very low range of heart rate. I see a Cardiologist once or twice a year for a routine check and I will say that he was aware of the Beta Blocker causing lower heart rate but wasn’t overly concerned about it. As for the calcium channel blocker Amlodipine, I can NOT take it either. My doctor immediately discontinued it after i experience swelling in my feet and legs up to the knee. The swelling was so extreme I couldn’t get shoes on and it was difficult to bend my knee. Since this happened to me I have known others to experience the swelling with Amlodipine.

[jackdaw50]

Same problem with amplodipine as you. Was switched to Indapamide which I take with Ramipril. Hope that helps.

[b1b1b1]

I was switched to olmersatin, but did not like it, so switched back.

[Caradomben]

I also was taking 100mgs losartan with 5mgs amlodipine in the morning .Recently BP has been going higher in afternoon /evening . My GP has now increased my Amlodipine to 10 mgs and said to take the Losartan in evening . Instead of taking them together .

[AgedCrone]

I had dizziness & nausea after taking 10mg Amlodipine in the morning with no problems for years…..doctor suggested I took it at night …..no more problems……..ask your doctor if that might help you.

[onadiet]

I've just changed from 10mg Amlodipine to 50mg Losartan with 2.50mg Felodipine.Still some side effects and early days but better than Amlodipine which do work but at what cost.