Amlodipine relaxes and widens blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow to the heart. Its most characteristic side effect — swollen ankles — catches a lot of people out, and there are usually good options for it short of stopping.
High blood pressure, and angina. Lowering blood pressure reduces the long-term risk of stroke, heart attack and kidney disease. Like a statin, you will not feel it working — the benefit is in what does not happen.
Once daily, at the same time each day, with or without food. Any time of day is fine as long as it is consistent.
It usually takes a few days to reach full effect, and your blood pressure may need rechecking a few weeks after starting or changing the dose.
Do not stop taking it because your blood pressure readings have become normal — they are normal because of the tablet. Stopping suddenly can send blood pressure back up.
The common ones are swollen ankles, flushing, headache, dizziness and tiredness. Headache and flushing often settle within the first week or two.
Swollen ankles happen because of how the medicine widens blood vessels; it is not fluid overload, and water tablets are not usually the answer. Raising your legs when sitting helps, and if it is troublesome your GP can lower the dose or switch you to a different type of blood pressure medicine. It is worth mentioning rather than tolerating.
Get medical advice for chest pain that is new or worse, a very fast or irregular heartbeat, fainting, or swelling of the face, lips or throat.
Getting up slowly from sitting or lying reduces dizziness. Be careful with alcohol, which can add to the blood-pressure-lowering effect.
Grapefruit juice increases amlodipine levels and is best avoided in quantity.
Tell your prescriber if you take simvastatin — the dose may need capping — or medicines for a fungal infection, certain antibiotics, or medicines for HIV.
Amlodipine is not usually recommended in pregnancy; if you are pregnant or planning to be, speak to your GP about alternatives rather than stopping on your own.
1 Lyng Lane, West Bromwich B70 7RW · Mon–Fri 8:30am–6pm, Sat 9am–1pm · 0121 500 5756
Ask our pharmacist →We use essential cookies to make the site work — things like your basket, sign-in and secure checkout. With your permission we’d also like to use analytics cookies to understand how the site is used and improve it. See our cookie policy.
