Amlodipine vs Losartan

Which is better with ckd?

[Celtic]

The answer here, beecee, is really which works for you personally - our bodies are all unique to us, including our personal kidney problems, and therefore we can all have different responses to different medications.

With CKD 3b and a sole kidney, I have experience of both Losartan and Amlodipine. My body was intolerant of the latter owing to such swelling and inflammation in my lower legs, the discolouration unfortunately becoming a permanent fixture after discontuing the drug. Losartan, on the other hand, hasn’t so far thrown up any discernible side effects.

Hope that helps - one important factor is to start on a low dose and titrate up as necessary, with kidney function blood tests being monitored along the way.

[Hidden]

That is a question only someone with a complete understanding of your health situation can answer. Your doctor will be the one to give you that answer. Best of luck.

[drmind]

I took Amlodipine for one week and developed considerable swelling in my feet and ankles along with blurry vision. Once off this medication, all side effects disappeared. Thank goodness. However, as someone said previously, we all respond differently to medications and its best to discuss this with your prescribing physician. Im sure there are lots of people on this forum who take Amlodipine and have no side effects. Best of luck.

[Hidden]

Thanks for your response. I'll ask my doctor to explain in more detail.

[Hidden]

It’s what works for you, Losartan pushes up your potassium levels as it contains potassium and amlodopine causes swelling in legs. I have never had an issue with amlodopine but everyone will react differently to each drug.

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador]

Hi beecee,

Some physicians prescribe ACE Inhibitors such as Lisinopril or Ramipril while others prescribe ARB 's or Angiotensin II receptor blocker's as Losartan .They can serve as a duel purpose to reduce blood pressure and to protect the kidneys. They are very commonly prescribed to diabetics and kidney patients.

Amlodopine is another class of drug entirely as it is a. Dihydropyridine calcium Channel Blocker.

My brother is diabetic and takes Lisinopril and a low does of Amlodopine as prescribed by his cardiologist for hypertension.

Your doctor is the best person to present your side effects to and questions to especially why he/ she feels that drug is best for you.

Hope this helps!

B..

[Herkidney]

Your physician should determine which medication is best for you. I have been on both medications. I felt absolutely fine with both. Prior to transplant I was taking Losartan. After transplant I started taking amlodipine. It was completely my transplant center’s choice.

Years ago, prior to the decrease in kidney function I used to take lisinoprile but it made me cough all the time so the medication was switched out. Good luck!

[Hidden]

I started with Ramipril because as my GP told me it was cheaper. However I had the common side-effect of a tickly cough which got too much especially when I had a cold.Doctor switched me to Losartan Potassium and it’s been good, I’ve tolerated it well. However I have developed tinnitus and doctor said it was likely a side-effect (which was a somewhat disappointing thing to be told by the same doc who prescribed it). This was in my case but hope it helps

[Marvin8]

A GOOD nephrologist will take into account both your BP and degree of proteinuria when recommending a blood pressure medication. My blood pressure hovers from normal to slightly above and I don't have any significant proteinuria. My neph started to suggest an ACE as a prophylactic, but when asked whether my lack of proteinuria was being taken into consideration, he admitted that all the studies applied only to folks with proteinuria. Taking an ACE without proteinuria or high blood pressure is an iffy decision, so we decided to hold off on the BP meds And if it gets to that point, I told him I'd prefer an ARB due to the fact that an ACE cough can last for up to a year after getting off the drug. We've been playing it by ear for a couple of years now. Need to get blood work soon. Have been avoiding the doc due to covid.

[RoxanneKidney in reply to Marvin8]

Strange because the ARB had me coughing like crazy. Maybe too much too soon.

[jj76541]

was on losartan now amlodipine, dr just switched me, said it was better for me, each seems to work about the same, for me

[renegade70]

I have had high blood pressure since age 20 thus leading to stage 3 ckd in 2018 at age 65. Prior to this diagnosis I had been on many , many different bp meds none of which worked very well. After about 3 months with a nephrologist i was presccibed amlodipine for blood pressure among other medications. It worked like a wonder drug. It brought my bp down very quickly and it has pretty much stayed there. My nephrologist checks my feet and ankles during each in person visit for any swelling. Since the pandemic I have had telephone visits so I check for swelling myself and there has not been a problem. My medication regimin for hbp has been 5 mg amlodipine ( calcium channel blocker) , 2mg indapamide ( a dieuretic) , 25 mg. metopropol ( beta - blocker) all these meds are 1 time per day. All in the morning. This has worked well for me but as you know everyone is differerent. Let us know how you do.