Amlodipine and swollen ankles

[Lu22a]

Since taking Amlodipine for high blood pressure, my ankles and now my lower legs swell in the evening. They are back to normal by the following morning and I always spend the evening with my feet raised and exercising my ankles. I am told that this is a side effect of the Amlodipine, but does anyone know how common it is? I shall be seeing the surgery pharmacist in the next few weeks as she monitors my medication,, but I am wondering if anyone has any further advice to give?

[Happyrosie]

I don’t know particularly about Amlop. However, I’m sure you are doing the right thing by elevating your legs when possible and talking to the pharmacist.

In the meantime, you might find what you are looking for - and general info about blood pressure - on the website of the specialist charity Blood Pressure UK

[Lu22a in reply to Happyrosie]

Thank you

[Madlegs1]

Side effects are dose related.

So if you are on more than 5mg then it might be worth considering splitting the medication with another BP medication.

I'm on Amlodipine 5mg and Olmersatin 10mg. No real side effects except for some itching at night ,which may or may not be related.

Good luck.

[Lu22a in reply to Madlegs1]

Thank you.

[Trazj]

Hi. I had similar and my Doc switched me onto lercanodipine which I've been on for a few years without problems.

Cheers Trazj

[Lu22a in reply to Trazj]

Thank you

[shrock]

I was on 5mg with no side effects, gp upped it to 10mg and my ankles swelled. now back to 5mg + rampril and no probs again.

[Lu22a in reply to shrock]

Thank you

[Eviedog12]

I had this too so my GP changed my medication to Losartan. No side effects at all.

[Lu22a in reply to Eviedog12]

Thank you

[Lu22a in reply to Lu22a]

Thank you

[Greenswift]

I was on 5mg with no side effects but when increased to 10mg my ankles swelled so bad I could hardly walk, so GP put me on Ramipril. No side effects with this & blood pressure is ok.

[Lu22a in reply to Greenswift]

Thank you

[Atomant]

Hello Lu22a,I experienced this same problem when my dosage was increased from 5 mg to 10 mg along with cramping in my calfs. As this affected me when I was swimming (for exercise) I spoke to my doctor who said ' this usually happens when on the higher dosage of 10 mg' and I explained that this was affecting my swimming and actually stopping me from exercising as getting a cramp during swimming is not good. I also pointed out that as I would be on this medication for a long time to control hypertension I didn't think that having swollen angles and cramps was good for the next 25-30 years.

He immediately took me off Amlodopine and put me on Ramipril.

The result has been wonderful as no swollen angles of cramps (or Kancles as my wife called them) and my BP is still controlled and without any side affects.

There are lots of alternative bp drugs that can be prescribed and my advise is to have a conversation with your doctor to see what alternatives are available for you.

Good luck and I hope you can find something that suits you.

[Lu22a in reply to Atomant]

Thank you

[Moneylover]

Without doubt the advice to mix and match meds is a good one as the side effects of any of these drugs seem to kick in if you have a high dosage of one

[Lu22a in reply to Moneylover]

Thank you

[cornishgal23]

I agree with previous comments that the swelling is dose related. Best to be on lower doses of two or more meds that on a higher dose of just one.

[Lu22a in reply to cornishgal23]

Thank you

[Miriam123]

I had those side effects with amlopidine and Doctor changed it to Candesartan. Have been fine on this even at maximum dose. So there are alternatives.

[Lu22a in reply to Miriam123]

Thank you

[Lu22a]

Thank you. I’d be interested to see any tips for exercise that you may suggest.

[Smartmam]

It's very normal with this medicine. My GP told me before she put me on it

[Lu22a in reply to Smartmam]

Thank you

[Jaybird19]

need kidneys checking as well i had losartan reduced becauswe kidneys not ace .

[Nagswoman]

He had the legs and feet issue but it had got the BP down. He told them several times over 5 months but got ignored even though the diagnosing gp said he must tell them if he gets swollen ankles or headaches on amlodipine. They eventually changed the amlodipine 10mg for doxyzosin (spelling) and within a few days, when we were away, he had splitting headaches and fuzzy vision and bp worse than when first diagnosed in Dec 2023. Went through 111 to urgent care in the town we were staying. They suggested lercanidipine, which is similar to amlodipine, with less of an ankle swelling thing, but is more expensive. Ankles only very slightly swollen sometimes now and bp dropping nicely after 2.5 weeks. Also on ramipril.

[Cats2018]

Hi Lu22a

My experience with Amlodipine was terrible. I had swelling from feet & ankles to the knee & I could not get my shoes on. It was so uncomfortable & miserable. . Saw my doctor and she was horrified at the extent of swelling. She immediately took me off Amlodipine. The following year my brother was put on Amlodipine and had the same reaction while on vacation. His swelling was so bad he had to buy large slippers to put on his swollen feet in order to fly home.