Amlodipine dose: I was wondering what... - Scleroderma & Ray...

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Amlodipine dose

Kimi9 profile image
12 Replies

I was wondering what benefits others are experiencing due to Amlodipine?

I was started on Amlodipine 5mg in March this year. I was having regular check ups for blood pressure etc due to the possible side effects but I've been fine. No side effects whatsoever, but the medication doesn't seem to be doing much to relieve my symptoms or flare ups either.

Is 5mg the standard dose, or is it perhaps that the dose needs to increased?

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Kimi9 profile image
Kimi9
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12 Replies

I don’t remember what dose I was in but I think it was more then 5mg. After I got an ulcer on my finger a different doc at my rheumatologist office switched me to high doses of nifedipine. In the summer I don’t take any but in the cold of the winter o take 60mg twice a day. I get to play with my dose 30-60mg twice a day depending on the season. It is a much better drug for my fingers then amlodipine was. I’ve had an ulcer since but it didn’t get as bad and healed so much faster. I would definitely ask about dosage or alternative meds. I am in Seattle WA though and I know protocol seem to be different in the UK if that is where you are

Kimi9 profile image
Kimi9 in reply to

Thanks. I am in the UK, my GP did want to put me on Nifedipine originally but apparently there's a shortage of that over here, so she suggested Amlodipine instead. Just seems confusing. I've had ulceration on toe couple of times too.

amd21 profile image
amd21 in reply to Kimi9

Hi I was on nifedipine at high doses (80) and it was great for circulation but I had a lot of side effects. I had to switch as manufacturer stopped making it and most months I couldn't get any. Switched to amlodipine variable dose 0 5 10 depending on weather and risks eg going somewhere air conditioned. Doesn't work quite as well but far fewer side effects. My uk gp has a physicians assistant who is more clued up and easier to see Thant my go is and she PX me both 5 & 10 to keep at home and dose myself.

Kimi9 profile image
Kimi9 in reply to amd21

Thank you, think I'll go and speak to her again and see if I can give that a go. Anything is worth a try cos it's driving me nuts at the moment.

amd21 profile image
amd21 in reply to Kimi9

Read this and take a copy with you its the latest specialist guidance.

ard.bmj.com/content/76/8/1327

Sanmateogirl107 profile image
Sanmateogirl107

me either tried slndelifil that gave me horrible headaches. ask your doctor the immune specialist for help, rheumatologist, pain doctor now, probiotics, tumerick with pepper and eat yogurt can also help. i am on 10mg my hands are still bruised. i am going to the immune doctor september 8th. i also checked positive for lupus and osteoarthritis we will see what is next. try paraffin wax, biofreeze. julie

robin64 profile image
robin64

My doctor put me on amlodipine to help with the circulation in my fingers in the cold months of the year. I'm on it because of my Raynaud's. That little pill does help me in the winter time.

Vtoria profile image
Vtoria

It is supposed to dilate the vessels to help with the circulation for skin my case bleed fingers and the spots. It made my blood pressure go to low so I stopped that one. It gave me headaches

Vtoria profile image
Vtoria in reply to Vtoria

Blue fingers

Intimeslikethese profile image
Intimeslikethese

I am on 5mg amlodipine. It has reduced my Reynauds significantly. In the winter and tolerating air conditioned rooms in summer. Although, I carry a pair of gloves with me everywhere, I have not had to pull them out for use inside a grocery store or home for about the past year. With the exception of my hardened clawlike knuckles, I’ve gotten great doctor reports on my hands exam. It has helped me.

Kimi9 profile image
Kimi9

That sounds amazing, that's the kind of benefits I was hoping to achieve, but sadly no. I am still having to use gloves on and off throughout the day and have multiple flare ups everyday, it's so miserable

Intimeslikethese profile image
Intimeslikethese in reply to Kimi9

I have an exercise where I extend my arms outward sideways from my body at shoulder height and with fingers stretched apart and just shake to vibrate. My forearms are hardened (fascia) and it just feels good to feel my upper arms and flesh have movement. In my mind, I feel I am keeping my circulation to hands open.

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