HealthUnlockedHealthUnlocked
AboutLog in

Experiences with

Amlodipine

Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). If you have high blood pressure, taking amlodipine can help to prevent future heart disease, heart attacks and strokes.

It is also used to prevent chest pain caused by heart disease (angina).

Amlodipine helps high blood pressure by relaxing and widening blood vessels. This lowers your blood pressure and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body.

With angina, you usually get chest pain because the arteries going to the heart have become hardened and narrowed. Amlodipine helps by improving the blood and oxygen supply to your heart.

This medicine is only available on prescription. It comes as tablets or as a liquid you swallow.

Who can take amlodipine

Most adults and children aged 6 and over can take amlodipine.

Amlodipine is not suitable for everyone. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor if you:

  • have ever had an allergic reaction to amlodipine or any other medicine
  • have liver or kidney disease
  • have heart failure or you have recently had a heart attack

Dosage and strength

Amlodipine comes as 5mg and 10mg tablets. The liquid comes as 2 different strengths, one with 5mg amlodipine in 5ml and one with 10mg in 5ml.

The usual starting dose of amlodipine is 5mg once a day.

If the starting dose is not working well enough (for example, your blood pressure does not get any lower, or your angina is not controlled), your dose may need to be increased to 10mg.

To decide the correct dose for you in the longer term, your doctor will check your blood pressure to make sure it's not too high or too low. They'll also ask about any side effects you might be getting from the medicine.

Doses may be lower for children.

How to take it

You'll usually take amlodipine once a day. You can take it at any time of day, but try to make sure it's around the same time every day.

You can take amlodipine tablets and liquid with or without food.

Swallow amlodipine tablets whole and have a drink of water with both the tablets and the liquid. If it's easier, you can dissolve (disperse) the tablets in a glass of water, but you must drink it all straight away if you do this.

Do not take amlodipine with grapefruit juice. Having large amounts of grapefruit or grapefruit juice can increase how much amlodipine is in your body and make side effects worse. If you are affected, you may have to avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking amlodipine.

If you're taking amlodipine as a liquid, it will come with a plastic syringe or spoon to help you measure out the right dose. If you do not have one, ask your pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not measure the right amount of medicine.

How long to take it for

Usually, treatment with amlodipine is long term, even for the rest of your life.

Talk to your doctor if you want to stop taking amlodipine. Stopping may cause your blood pressure to rise, and this may increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.

If you're bothered by side effects, your doctor may be able to prescribe a different medicine for you.

Take amlodipine even if you feel well, as you'll still be getting the benefits of the medicine.

If you forget to take a dose of amlodipine, take it as soon as you remember that day and then carry on as normal.

If you forget to take the dose for the whole day, skip the missed dose and take your dose the next day at the usual time.

Never take 2 doses at once to make up for a forgotten one.

If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.

If you take too much

If you take more than your prescribed dose of amlodipine, it can make you feel dizzy and sleepy.

The amount of amlodipine that can lead to an overdose varies from person to person.

  • you take more than your prescribed dose of amlodipine

Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111

If you need to go to A&E, do not drive yourself. Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance.

Take the amlodipine packet or leaflet inside it, plus any remaining medicine, with you.

Common side effects

These common side effects of amlodipine happen in more than 1 in 100 people. They're usually mild and only last for a short time.

There are things you can do to help cope with them:

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and the side effects bother you or last for more than a few days.

Serious side effects after taking amlodipine are rare and happen in less than 1 in 10,000 people.

Call a doctor or contact 111 straight away if:

  • you have stomach problems – severe pain in your stomach, with or without diarrhoea (whether it has blood in it or not), feeling sick and being sick (nausea and vomiting) – these can be signs of pancreatitis
  • the whites of your eyes turn yellow, or your skin turns yellow although this may be less obvious on brown or black skin – this can be a sign of liver problems

Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111.

  • you get chest pain that does not stop after a few minutes or is new or worse if you are already have angina

Chest pain is a possible sign of a heart attack and needs to be checked out as soon as possible.

In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to amlodipine.

These are not all the side effects of amlodipine For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.

Amlodipine and pregnancy

Amlodipine can be used in pregnancy. Although there is not a lot of information on its safety, it is not thought to be harmful to the baby.

If you are pregnant, or planning a pregnancy, talk to your doctor about it. They may wish to change amlodipine for a medicine that has more safety information. However, if your blood pressure levels are OK, then it may be better to continue taking amlodipine rather than switching to another medicine.

If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, it's OK to take amlodipine while you're breastfeeding, but talk to your doctor or pharmacist as they may recommend a medicine we know more about, like nifedipine.

Amlodipine passes into breast milk in small amounts and has not been known to cause side effects in breastfed babies.

If you notice that your baby is not feeding as well as usual, seems unusually sleepy, looks much paler than usual or if you have any other concerns about your baby, then talk to your health visitor, midwife, pharmacist or doctor as soon as possible.

Amlodipine and fertility

There's no evidence to suggest that taking amlodipine reduces fertility in women.

Amlodipine may affect sperm function. Speak to your doctor if you are having difficulty trying for a baby, as stopping amlodipine may be considered. Talk to your fertility specialist if you're worried.

Cautions with other medicines

If you take other medicines that lower blood pressure, such as ramipril or lisinopril, at the same time as amlodipine, the combination can sometimes lower your blood pressure too much.

When your blood pressure is low, you may feel dizzy or faint. If this keeps happening to you, tell your doctor as your dose may need to be changed.

Some medicines can affect the way amlodipine works.

Tell your doctor if you're taking any of these medicines before starting amlodipine:

  • antibiotics such as clarithromycin, erythromycin or rifampicin
  • calcium channel blockers like diltiazem or verapamil
  • itraconazole or ketoconazole, antifungal medicines
  • medicines to treat HIV or HCV (hepatitis C virus)
  • anti-epilepsy medicines such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital (phenobarbitone) or primidone
  • medicines to suppress your immune system, such as ciclosporin or tacrolimus
  • more than 20mg a day of the cholesterol-lowering medicine simvastatin

St John's wort, a herbal remedy taken for depression, is thought to affect the way amlodipine works. Talk to your doctor if you're thinking about taking St John's wort.

There's not enough information to say that other herbal remedies or supplements are safe to take with amlodipine. They're not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines. They're generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines.

Related links

HealthUnlocked contains information from NHS Digital, licensed under the current version of the Open Government Licence

  • Posts

  • Communities

838 public posts

amlodipine

have been subscripted 5 mg of amlodipine, i have now been taking it for a week , how long does it take to lower my blood pressure? i have just checked it at home and it still seems slightly high no change really, i am due to have my blood pressure checked with the nurse in a month,
have been subscripted 5 mg of amlodipine, i have now been taking it for a week , how long does it take to lower my blood pressure? i have just checked it at home and it still seems slightly high no change really, i am due to have my blood pressure checked with the nurse in a month,
Charlieboy88 profile image
Charlieboy88
in British Heart Foundation
17 days ago

Amlodipine?

We've read here that Amlodipine could worsen RLS symptoms. I can't find references to trusted sources, i.e. Mayo Clinic, Dr. Buchfuhrer, etc. Will someone post a link for me? I am hoping to convince my husband's doctor to change his prescription away from calcium channel blockers.
We've read here that Amlodipine could worsen RLS symptoms. I can't find references to trusted sources, i.e. Mayo Clinic, Dr. Buchfuhrer, etc. Will someone post a link for me? I am hoping to convince my husband's doctor to change his prescription away from calcium channel blockers.
DreamerTED profile image
DreamerTED
in Restless Legs Syndrome
30 days ago

Amlodipine

Anyway it was decided to put me on to Amlodipine to reduce it.......I had been put on this a while ago but came off it because I had dizzy spells while taking it........However I'm back on it now and I experience some time being "on the edge of dizziness" and bouts of tiredness.
Anyway it was decided to put me on to Amlodipine to reduce it.......I had been put on this a while ago but came off it because I had dizzy spells while taking it........However I'm back on it now and I experience some time being "on the edge of dizziness" and bouts of tiredness.
trebor5558 profile image
trebor5558
in British Heart Foundation
2 months ago
Want to take advantage of all our features? Just log in!
or

amlodipine

is weight gain a side effect of amlodipine?
is weight gain a side effect of amlodipine?
Dobey profile image
Dobey
in High Blood Pressure Support
3 months ago

Amlodipine Withdrawal Symptoms

Has anyone else experienced weird with withdrawal symptoms from amlodipine? Suggestions?
Has anyone else experienced weird with withdrawal symptoms from amlodipine? Suggestions?
Foretmed profile image
Foretmed
in British Heart Foundation
2 months ago

Amlodipine 5mg

and im waiting for further tests to see what else is happening, I've been put on Amlodipine 5mg for angina symptoms I also suffer from occasional SVT my bp was about 149/86 , my question is since taking Amlodipine for 6 weeks my blood pressure went down to 120/ 70 then it suddenly dropped to 90/60 I
and im waiting for further tests to see what else is happening, I've been put on Amlodipine 5mg for angina symptoms I also suffer from occasional SVT my bp was about 149/86 , my question is since taking Amlodipine for 6 weeks my blood pressure went down to 120/ 70 then it suddenly dropped to 90/60 I
Wobble1964 profile image
Wobble1964
in British Heart Foundation
17 days ago

AMLODIPINE

Since starting taking amlodipine I have a big problem at night, needing to urinate every 1.5 to 2 hours. Does anyone else have this problem.
Since starting taking amlodipine I have a big problem at night, needing to urinate every 1.5 to 2 hours. Does anyone else have this problem.
kitkats profile image
kitkats
in High Blood Pressure Support
4 months ago

Losartan potassium 50mg.

I have been taking 5mg Amlodipine for some time but am experiencing fluid retention and pain especially in legs and feet so my GP has now prescribed Losartan 50mg instead. I also have stage 3 kidney disease. 50mg seems a high dose in comparison to the Amlodipine.
I have been taking 5mg Amlodipine for some time but am experiencing fluid retention and pain especially in legs and feet so my GP has now prescribed Losartan 50mg instead. I also have stage 3 kidney disease. 50mg seems a high dose in comparison to the Amlodipine.
Rachmaninov2 profile image
Rachmaninov2
in High Blood Pressure Support
23 days ago

amlodipine and swelling

I’m at stage 5 ckd and I recently started amlodipine 10mg and my feet and ankle swell. My question is what does someone else at stage 5 take for blood pressure. I’ll be going to my nephrologist soon and i’m going to ask him what else I can take for blood pressure.
I’m at stage 5 ckd and I recently started amlodipine 10mg and my feet and ankle swell. My question is what does someone else at stage 5 take for blood pressure. I’ll be going to my nephrologist soon and i’m going to ask him what else I can take for blood pressure.
TDPowers profile image
TDPowers
in Kidney Disease
3 months ago

New to amlodipine

Similar experience, I was prescribed amlodipine in addition to losartan as my bp was 'up'.Tbh felt more than a bit unsteady for quite a while on it, but persevered and after a few weeks 'felt' normal again, with bp reducing to 130/75. That was a few months ago, everything fine since.
Similar experience, I was prescribed amlodipine in addition to losartan as my bp was 'up'.Tbh felt more than a bit unsteady for quite a while on it, but persevered and after a few weeks 'felt' normal again, with bp reducing to 130/75. That was a few months ago, everything fine since.
Nick234 profile image
Nick234
in High Blood Pressure Support
3 months ago

amlodipine and Candesartan

BP not lowered at all in fact went higher and now been prescribed Amlodipine to take along with Candesartan. Anyone had experience of this combination? Also want to check about taking low dose aspirin with them?
BP not lowered at all in fact went higher and now been prescribed Amlodipine to take along with Candesartan. Anyone had experience of this combination? Also want to check about taking low dose aspirin with them?
rosemary9122 profile image
rosemary9122
in High Blood Pressure Support
3 months ago

Amlodipine side effects

Can anyone tell me if they experience similar side effects whilst taking Amlodipine or statins ?
Can anyone tell me if they experience similar side effects whilst taking Amlodipine or statins ?
Dave1104 profile image
Dave1104
in British Heart Foundation
4 months ago

Amlodipine strange smell and stinging eyes

This doesnt seem to happen outdoors so I wondered if it was due to dry air but now I am wondering if it could be the Amlodipine? Has anyone heard of similar side effects? I have asked my Dr if I can stop for a while to see if it goes away.
This doesnt seem to happen outdoors so I wondered if it was due to dry air but now I am wondering if it could be the Amlodipine? Has anyone heard of similar side effects? I have asked my Dr if I can stop for a while to see if it goes away.
Kjp1976 profile image
Kjp1976
in High Blood Pressure Support
1 month ago

Resistant Hypertension

Fair BP and pulse rate control on bisoprolol, losartan and amlodipine. Doing so well on Zytiga, really rather not change it. Continue as I am or increase prednisone?
Fair BP and pulse rate control on bisoprolol, losartan and amlodipine. Doing so well on Zytiga, really rather not change it. Continue as I am or increase prednisone?
rfgh20 profile image
rfgh20
in Advanced Prostate Cancer
6 days ago

BP Meds

im on BP med amlodipine I been on it for 3months just wondering is it better than the rest?
im on BP med amlodipine I been on it for 3months just wondering is it better than the rest?
OB73 profile image
OB73
in British Heart Foundation
4 months ago

New B/P prescription

I have just been prescribed to take 5 mg of Amlodipine Besylate (sub for Norvasc) Is anyone else with CKD on this med and are there side effects? I remember once I was given a channel blocker and I didnt like it. Some how affected my legs, dont remember how.
I have just been prescribed to take 5 mg of Amlodipine Besylate (sub for Norvasc) Is anyone else with CKD on this med and are there side effects? I remember once I was given a channel blocker and I didnt like it. Some how affected my legs, dont remember how.
chicablue profile image
chicablue
in Kidney Disease
2 months ago

decongestant with BP meds?

On 10mg of Ramipril and Amlodipine Thanks! 🤧
On 10mg of Ramipril and Amlodipine Thanks! 🤧
rayray100 profile image
rayray100
in High Blood Pressure Support
1 month ago

progressive increasing of diltiazem dosage

’t helping. i like amlodipine for HBP as keeps it controlled and no side effects but does nothing for chest pain).
’t helping. i like amlodipine for HBP as keeps it controlled and no side effects but does nothing for chest pain).
fishface101 profile image
fishface101
in British Heart Foundation
24 days ago

Anxious over up coming blood results

I find it a coincidence that I had the accident and was also new to Amlodipine and with Amlodipine a major side effect is Swelling of feet and ankles. Still swollen 6 months on every day. So…. Off to GP and immediately started asking ‘Do you have shortness of breath? NO. Do you get light headed?
I find it a coincidence that I had the accident and was also new to Amlodipine and with Amlodipine a major side effect is Swelling of feet and ankles. Still swollen 6 months on every day. So…. Off to GP and immediately started asking ‘Do you have shortness of breath? NO. Do you get light headed?
Calm2 profile image
Calm2
in British Heart Foundation
5 months ago

Amlodipine, Atorvastatin, Asprin - stomach problems

amlodipine 5mg, atorvastatin 40mg, asprin 75mg
amlodipine 5mg, atorvastatin 40mg, asprin 75mg
JMayo profile image
JMayo
in High Blood Pressure Support
17 days ago
  • 1
  • 2
  • ...
  • 42
  • Next page
  • 10
  • 20
  • 30
  • 40
Filter results
Posted in
Sort by
HealthUnlocked
© 2023 All rights reserved.

Company

About Us

Partner with us

Careers

Product

Health terms A to Z

Communities A to Z

Start a Community

Support

Help Centre

Community Guidelines

Contact us

Cookies settings