Does Nifedipine make ankles swell up?

[NZHeather]

Hello from New Zealand. I have been corresponding with a lady who has just been diagnosed by her GP with possible Scleroderma. The lady had been to a podiatrist with a sore toes, the podiatrist passed a message onto her GP to investigate if the lady had Scleroderma. Wow what a fab podiatrist.

The lady is now waiting for a specialist appointment. She asked me said

Nifedipine, which the GP prescribed, has,made my ankles swell up. Has this happened with other people?

Any comments would be appreciated.

thank you Heather

[Midgebite21]

Hi, yes nifedipine can cause fluid retention and ankle oedema in some people. Thankfully it’s not a side effect for me. Glad your friend is receiving medical help now. I’m a podiatrist and self diagnosed myself with scleroderma. My GP thought I was mad but referred me to rheumatologist who confirmed my diagnosis. I’m afraid most people don’t appreciate our depth of knowledge and scope of practice.

[NZHeather in reply to Midgebite21]

My belated thank you for taking the time to answer my query. I have passed the information onto the lady.

[Bkart]

Hi Heather,

I take Amlodipine which is a similar drug. I was put on it

many years ago for an existing heart problem but coincidently found that together with Losartan, also a heart drug, it has controlled the ulcers I used to have with Raynauds and I believe it still does for me.

Amlodipine is a long acting drug. Nefidipine is short acting which is probably why it is more often prescribed and appropriate for Raynauds. Amlodipine makes my ankles swell as well and I can only tolerate it at 5mg, any higher dose then my whole feet swell and I can’t get my shoes on.

I have just read that apparently though fewer problems are reported with Amlodipine. I am assuming that the lady has no existing heart problems which if they had would then make a difference as to which of these two drugs they could take depending on the heart problem.

I would suggest that if the swelling is really problematic for her then she should see her GP again to discuss if there is an alternative such as Amlodipine which might suit her better. Unfortunately Calcium Channel Blocker

drugs affect a lot of people in this way, I do find the swelling unsightly (mine is quite bad) but I cope with this by wearing trousers and long skirts or dresses. I wouldn’t want to go back to the awful pain of Raynaud ulcers, I feel so sorry for those poor people on this forum who’s Raynauds is not well controlled.

Wishing your correspondence friend all the best and hope that despite the swelling, Nefidipine works for her.

So kind of you to ask the questions on her behalf and hope that she is coping with her Scleroderma diagnosis.

[NZHeather in reply to Bkart]

My belated thank you for taking the time to answer my query. I have passed the information onto the lady.

[Purplepeace]

Yes this happened to me. I got off of this medication.

[NZHeather in reply to Purplepeace]

My belated thank you for taking the time to answer my query. I have passed the information onto the lady.

[Bkart in reply to NZHeather]

Hi, NZHeather,

Your most welcome and I hope that together with the other reply’s the info has helped her. I’m still in the process of getting a diagnosis for Scleroderma, so I was wondering if your friend has been diagnosed yet.

I really hope this is not the case but better to know if

so. There is a good online site in New Zealand for information on Raynauds and Scleroderma, also as you are probably aware SRUK. The Scleroderma Education Project and the Scleroderma Foundation in

the USA again very good I have found. The Nord Rare

Disease database has a good section on Scleroderma

as well.

Wishing you and your friend all the best, this must be

a very difficult time for them.

[NZHeather in reply to Bkart]

Thank you for your reply, much appreciated. I do hope you get sorted soon.

The lady, who is in her 80s, has not yet been diagnosed and is getting herself in quite a tizz with all the reading she is doing. I am saying to her just wait until she is diagnosed, hopefully will see a specialist in the next couple of months and then go from there. Thank you again.

[GardenPlantswoman]

I have been taking Nifedipine for about 6 months, and I have experienced swollen ankles since I started taking it. Its not very pleasant, but I prefer that to having bad cuts on my hands.

[NZHeather in reply to GardenPlantswoman]

My belated thank you for taking the time to answer my query. I have passed the information onto the lady.

[KathleenMary]

I take nifedipine in the winter and do get swollen ankles, nice to have a break in the summer, as suggested by my rheumatologist

[Timetolive]

Hi, first time on here, i have been diagnosed 3 months ago, but have had for 10 years without being diagnosed. They have put me on nifedipine, i get swollen ankles, also stomach cramps and headaches, hoping will improve. Keep well.

[NZHeather in reply to Timetolive]

Hello, thank you for your reply. It's amazing how the symptoms all add up when you look back. Best wishes and hope you will improve. Best wishes