Amlodipine Tablets (5mg, 10mg)

Amlodipine is a medicine most often used to help manage high blood pressure (hypertension). It belongs to a group of medicines called calcium channel blockers, which work by relaxing and widening your blood vessels. This can make it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body, helping to lower your blood pressure.

It’s also sometimes used to help prevent a type of chest pain called angina.

Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking Amlodipine. This can increase the amount of amlodipine in your blood and raise the chance of side effects.

Try to limit how much alcohol you drink while taking Amlodipine, as it can increase the risk of low blood pressure.

Amlodipine can be taken before or after food, with a drink of water, at the same time each day.

If you have any other questions about diet or drinks alongside your treatment, mention this during your consultation so your clinician can advise based on your individual health.

No. Amlodipine is not a beta blocker. It belongs to a different group of medicines called calcium channel blockers, which work by relaxing and widening your blood vessels, making it easier for blood to flow and helping to lower blood pressure.

What’s the difference?

Both types of medicine can be used to help manage high blood pressure, but they work in different ways.

• Calcium channel blockers, such as Amlodipine, relax and widen your blood vessels.
• Beta blockers work mainly by slowing down the heart, reducing the strain it’s under.

The most suitable treatment depends on your health and medical history, so speak to your clinician about which option may be right for you.

Amlodipine’s side effects don’t specifically include gaining body fat, but one of its side effects is fluid retention, which can affect weight.

Fluid retention is a very common side effect and can show up as ankle swelling. For some people this may show up as an increase on the scales, though it affects everyone differently. Separately, weight increase or decrease has also been reported as a less common side effect.

If you notice swelling or any change in your weight that concerns you, speak to your doctor or pharmacist. Always speak to your prescriber before stopping any medication.

If you notice sudden swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat, or any difficulty breathing, this could be a sign of a serious allergic reaction. Seek emergency medical help straight away.

Amlodipine is taken as an ongoing, long-term treatment for high blood pressure or angina, and most people continue taking it for as long as their doctor advises. Because high blood pressure often causes no symptoms, you may not feel any different even while it’s working. If you’re taking Amlodipine for angina, it doesn’t relieve chest pain immediately either.

Regular blood pressure readings, rather than how you feel, are the best way to track whether it’s working for you. Keep taking it as prescribed, and don’t stop unless a clinician advises you to.

Usually not. For many people, swelling in the ankles, feet or legs is a very common side effect of Amlodipine.

What to do:

It’s a good idea to mention any swelling to a clinician, especially if it bothers you or doesn’t go away. They can advise you on managing it or discuss whether a different treatment could suit you better.

When to get help sooner:

Seek advice promptly if you notice sudden swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat, or any difficulty breathing, as this can be a sign of a serious allergic reaction. In an emergency, call 999.

Amlodipine is a prescription-only treatment.

Some medicines, supplements and herbal remedies can affect how Amlodipine works, or increase the chance of side effects. It’s always best to tell a clinician about everything you take before starting treatment, so they can check whether it’s suitable for you.

Things that may interact with Amlodipine include:

• Some cholesterol-lowering medicines, such as simvastatin
• Other blood pressure or heart medicines, as taking these together can lower your blood pressure more than expected
• Certain antibiotics and antifungal medicines, which can affect how Amlodipine works in the body
• Medicines used to treat HIV
• Medicines that change how the immune system works, such as ciclosporin or tacrolimus
• Herbal remedies, particularly St John’s Wort

Taking Ibuprofen alongside Amlodipine may reduce how well Amlodipine controls your blood pressure. It’s worth mentioning this to a clinician or pharmacist before combining them, especially if you expect to take Ibuprofen regularly or for more than a few days.

This doesn’t necessarily mean the two can’t be taken together. If you need pain relief while taking Amlodipine, ask your pharmacist or clinician what’s suitable for you.

This isn’t a complete list of interactions. Always read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine, and contact your GP if you’re unsure.

No, Amlodipine is not an ACE inhibitor. It belongs to a different group of medicines called calcium channel blockers, which work by relaxing and widening blood vessels so blood can pass through more easily. This helps lower blood pressure and, for some people, helps prevent angina attacks.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are a separate type of blood pressure medicine that also works by relaxing blood vessels, though in a different way. Amlodipine is sometimes prescribed alongside an ACE inhibitor rather than instead of one.

If you’re unsure which type of medicine you’re taking or have been prescribed, check with your pharmacist or clinician.

Usually, yes. Paracetamol isn’t listed as an interacting medicine for amlodipine, so for most people it’s a suitable option for pain or a high temperature while taking blood pressure treatment.

Just remember to stick to the recommended paracetamol dose, and check that other remedies, such as cold and flu products, don’t also contain paracetamol, as combining them can lead to taking more than intended.

This is general information rather than personal medical advice. If you’re unsure, ask your pharmacist or GP.