Amlodipine and Atorvastatin in One

[Pita123]

Hello everyone,

I am wondering if anyone with liver issues has taken the two meds together? Also know as Norvasc and Lipitor, and both are combined into one pill called Caduet. My Dr prescribed it as a precaution since I have a slightly higher blood pressure and cholesterol than desired for my age (55). Worst among the side effects is a weird pain in the upper stomach area.

I am wondering if I should ask the doctor if I can stop these meds, take different medication or just take one for now. Anyone with experience with either or both please share your experience with the side effects. Thank you.

[Schnauzerguy]

Make sure your doctor is aware of NASH or your specific liver condition when prescribed any meds. That said, I take them and a couple others too with no ill effects. Make sure you tell the doctor about that pain in the upper GI, that’s not a typical side effect the doc might want to put an ultrasound on that or CT with contrast.

[Pita123 in reply to Schnauzerguy]

Thank you. Do you think that the upper stomach pain is caused by Atorvastatin, assuming that the pain is a side affect? Everything I read online says it's the one likely to have effect on the liver.

[Schnauzerguy in reply to Pita123]

I’m not an MD, though unless you’re on the upper limits dosage wise, side effects are minimal at worst. However pain in upper GI can be something else, that should be looked at on its own.

[Pita123 in reply to Schnauzerguy]

That makes sense. I emailed my Dr to go over that part. Everything else I can handle, assuming these side effects will subside over time. I appreciate your sharing of experience very much.

[Rosebud1027]

I take both those medications plus others to control high blood pressure and don’t seem to have an issue. I occasionally have a full feeling in my upper stomach area but I attribute it to eating too much food at one sitting. I’m at an F3 level.

[Pita123 in reply to Rosebud1027]

Good to know, thank you. The bloating, gas and uncomfortable upper stomach pain continue to be a concern. Do you recall if you had similar side effects when you started on the meds?

[Rosebud1027]

No I don’t recall. I do know I was on a low dose of atorvastatin when I was admitted to hospital for what was diagnosed as NAFLD. They were searching for what caused it but hépatologist ruled that out & advised me to continue taking it. I do check all my meds through the Liver Tox database now livertox.nih.gov to give me info on a particular drug’s impact on liver.

[Shelterdog]

I don’t take or need blood pressure meds, but at one time my cholesterol became slightly elevated and my Dr said NO to taking any statin drugs because it would make my liver worse she said.

[Pita123 in reply to Shelterdog]

Interesting. Not the first time I read something similar to this. May I ask how high was your cholesterol? In my case my doctor agreed to letting me just take Amlodipine for now while I continue to work on my cholesterol via diet and exercise. Hopefully that's the best option for this time. Best wishes to you and all.

[Shelterdog]

my total cholesterol was 225 and my bad cholesterol was 112. She’s about to put me on another drug for it that is not a statin if I don’t get it down in 3 months she said.

[Pita123 in reply to Shelterdog]

Good to know. For cholesterol, I have been trying to do it on my own. I will check cholesterol in 2 months to see if there is improvement. Amlodipine side effects mostly subsided, thankfully but BP is fluctuating considerably.