Amlodipine and breathlessness.

[TheRightBack]

Anyone else experienced breathlessness since going on amlodipine?

I’m a reasonably fit 63 year old but I noticed that I couldn’t manage to maintain my normal gym routine after about three months on one a day 5mg of this drug. My statistics dropped by over 20%. I’m breathless going uphill, or walking faster than normal when that never happened previously. Is it simply old age? I mentioned it to my doctor and they ran all sorts of tests (mainly bloods and ECG) but that only showed up only a minor B12 vitamin issue. I’m on a daily tablet for that now for a couple of months!

I’m of aware of side effects that are possible but mine isn’t really listed it seems.

Doctors visit, do you reckon? I hate taking their time up and would welcome relevant comments.

Thanks in advance.

[29METAL]

Hi I was on Amlodipine and had to come off them they are the first tablet doctors hand out as they are inexspensive I know people who have taken them for years with no problem but I couldnt handle them they gave me palpations dizzness and anxiety which can playout at times as breathlessness ask your doctor to change them to something different some people like me have to try several different tablets before they get one that agrees with them dont take no for an answer its your body your life I was also on lecanidipine they were a bit better but I am now on Ramipril still a bit of dizzness with these but hopefully this will disappear through time but they are a way better tablet than the previous two and I was able to get the BP under control with the smallest dose 1.25mg ask your doctor about Ramipril worth a try

[cornishgal23]

I was put on amlodipine after suffering a TIA, and it brought by BP down significantly. I began having shortness of breath shortly thereafter and was given every heart test possible, since shortness of breath can be indicative of a problem with the old ticker. However, since they revealed nothing amiss, I can only assume it is the amlodipine that is the cause of the breathlessness. Of course, my doc denies it, but I am convinced otherwise. Unfortunately, I just have to put up with it, as out of all the BP meds I have tried, amlodipine is the only one that works for me.

[monadepot]

sorry, I stopped taking this drug on a regular basis about 2 years ago..I only take it once every time my BP spikes to about 160 and above..normally my BP is about 140/80...some times it gets to as low as 109 !! I am 81 years old....these spikes are about every 3 weeks !!

[onadiet in reply to monadepot]

I've been on Amlodipine 6 months. Recently just been told I now have RBBB (Right Bundle Branch Block. History of breathlessness ,Headaches,Pounding Heartbeat near &Syncope (Dizziness & fainting)Ongoing. .Bloods all ok but .......? Prev.All ECG perfect.Read up that Amlodipine can cause this and irreversable.

[Locoman]

Me too. Over the last 12 months I have had my blood pressure medication changed four times. My symptoms are also reduced stamina, breathlessness, exhaustion and general fatigue. Oh and my blood pressure hasn't dropped below 140, normally hovers between 145 and 155. I feel MUCH WORSE than I did before high blood pressure diagnosis. Happy days

[TheRightBack]

Many thanks for the responses and shared experiences. I appreciate the effort it takes to respond.

After a visit to my doctor I’m now three weeks into a change of drug-Lisinopril. So far,my breathlessness has reduced, but not eliminated. A further blood test revealed no negative results, so that’s good. An eight week follow up/review with my doctor is scheduled and I’ll see where we are at then.

[onadiet]

Definitely.caused by Amlodipine .Mine went after stopping A. Try low dose of a newer CCB such as Lecanipine with an ARB such as Candesartan.