Amlodipine

[funnyfennel]

Hi everyone,

Just been prescribed Amlodipine for high blood pressure to join one or two other drugs post Open Heart op 3 years a go. Trying to find out if it worsens RLS which I have suffered badly for years......since "quality sleep" is advised for high BP (which of course I never get) I do not want to effect my condition and fear the docs do not take RLS seriously and may not have researched this subject.

I thought we had a list of meds to avoid??

Thanks

[SueJohnson]

It is a calcium channel blocker which bothers some but not all.

Some medicines that are safe for high blood pressure are propranolol (Inderal, Hemangeol, InnoPran) a beta blocker that may help RLS, Isosorbide Mononitrate (Monoket, Imdur) which is not a beta blocker nor calcium channel blocker. Other possibilities are: Clonidine (Catapres) an Alpha-2-Agonist used to treat high blood pressure which may help RLS and which also treats insomnia, tenex (Guanfacine, Intuniv), prazosin (Minipress) an alpha-adrenergic blocker that is also useful in managing sleep-related problems caused by PTSD and Tadalafil a vasodilator that in one study completely eliminated RLS. Discuss these with your doctor. And then there is reducing salt by 1 teaspoon a day nih.gov/news-events/nih-res....

[ChrisColumbus]

Some have a problem with amlodipine, some don't. I control my blood pressure with daily 50 mg of losartan without RLS symptoms, but some have reported issues with this too. Frankly it's sometimes difficult to tell what it is amongst the myriad of meds that we take that triggers RLS.

It's not amongst the RLS-UK meds to avoid list:

"A number of medications can make RLS worse. In particular, anti-nausea drugs and sedating antihistamines can block the brain’s dopamine receptors, increasing the symptoms of restless legs. Antidepressants that increase serotonin and antipsychotic medications can also aggravate the condition. Let your doctor know if your restless legs symptoms worsen after you take a new medication. A change in dosage or a change to a different medication may help. Below we have listed a number of medications which our forum users suggested made their RLS worse. Please note that this list is not exhaustive and while we have been advised that they have made RLS symptoms worse for some people, this may not be the case for you.

In particular, anti nausea drugs and sedating anti histamines can block the brains' dopamine receptors, increasing the symptoms of restless legs. Anything containing pseudoephrine or phenylephrine should be avoided. ​

Cold and Flu remedies and Anti-Histamines:

Common culprits include: Night Nurse, Day Nurse, Nytol, Actifed, Avamys, Benadryl (Acrivastine), Chlorphenamine ( Piriton), Contac, Coricidin, Fluticasone, Rhinolast (Azelastine hydrochloride), Sinutab, Sudafed.

Note that many cough syrups may contain antihistamines, especially if they are recommended for cold or flu symptoms. Always try to choose non-drowsy options.

Anti-depressants:

Many people living with RLS also live with depression and consequently are prescribed anti-depression medication. RLS is also common in two conditions that often co-occur with depression: ADHD and PTSD. However some anti-depressants can actually make RLS symptoms worse. If you are prescribed anti-depressants and live with RLS, we recommend you monitor your RLS symptoms to see if your symptoms worsen after starting anti-depressant medication. If so, speak to your medical practitioner to see if you can be prescribed an alternative medication. Trazodone and Bupropion are both RLS safe alternatives.

Anti-psychotics: Most anti psychotics worsen RLS.

Selective Serotonin-Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin and Norepineephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs):

Citalopram (Cipramil), Duloxetine (Cymbalta), Venlafexine (Efexor), Escitalopram (Cipralex), Paroxetine (Paxil, Seroxat), Fluoxetine (Prozac), Nefazodone (Serzone, Dutonin, Nefadar), Sertraline ( Zoloft, Lustral), Dapoxetine (Priligy), Fluvoxamine (Faverin), Vortioxetine (Brintellix).

Tricyclic medications:

Amitriptyline (Tryptizol), Clomipramine (Anafranil, Imipramine (Tofranil), Lofepramine (Gamanil), Nortryptiline (Allegron), Amoxapine, Desipramine (Norpramin), Doxepin, Trimipramine, Imipramine, Mirtazapine ( Zispin), Protriptyline, as well as others, have been suggested as making the symptoms of RLS worse.

Antacids:

Most Proton Pump Inhibitors worsen RLS. Omeprazole, Lansoprazole, Pantoprazole, Rabeprazole, Esomeprazole.

Anti Nauseates:

Discuss any anti nauseates with your doctors before surgery as many, including prochlorperazine or metoclopramide, will trigger RLS during and after surgery. Safe alternatives include odansetron (Zofran), domperidone or granisetron hydrochloride."

[Madlegs1]

I can only give you my own experience. I take Amlodipine 5mg and Olmersatin 10mg.

I don't get any RLS at all.

I do get some itching which seems to relate to the Olmersatin, but not 100% sure.

There are certainly plenty of alternatives out there if one does end up bothering you.

The main thing that my doctor advised ,was not to take too much of any one BP medication ,to avoid the worsening of any possible side effects.

Good luck, and let us know how you get on.👍

[funnyfennel in reply to Madlegs1]

I'm taking ramapril 5 mg also

[Jumpey]

I took amlodipine with no effect on my rls.It caused oedema,swelling in my legs and ankles ( a common reaction)so I had to change to felodipine which doesn't .

[Allyp69]

I've been taking 5mg Amlodopine for high BP for 5 years...no effect on my RLS.