Overview Of Amlodipine

Potential Side Effects

The most commonly reported side effect associated with amlodipine is feeling tired. Some patients have experienced extreme sleepiness. Other frequently reported side effects include nausea, dizziness, facial flushing, stomach pain, and swelling of the legs or ankles. Abnormal muscle movements and tremors have also occurred. In addition, some individuals on this medication have noticed an abnormally fast heart rate or irregular heartbeat. These effects may resolve on their own within a few days to two weeks. Patients should let their doctor know if any of them persist.

Low blood pressure is one of the potentially serious side effects of this medication. It often triggers lightheadedness, severe dizziness, or fainting. Some patients experience increased chest pain when they first start taking amlodipine or when their dose is increased. There is a risk of having a heart attack as well. Suppose the patient has shortness of breath, chest pain or discomfort, nausea, lightheadedness, fatigue, or cold sweats while taking this medication. In that case, they should obtain emergency medical assistance right away. Patients who believe they may have low blood pressure should also seek emergency care.

Get familiar with the precautions to remember when taking this medication next.

Precautions To Remember

Before prescribing amlodipine, the doctor will need to know if the patient currently has or has ever had liver disease or any other liver issue. The liver is responsible for processing this medication. Thus, it can remain in the body for an extended period in patients with pre-existing liver conditions. Since this could lead to more side effects, doctors generally prescribe much lower doses for patients with liver concerns. Doctors also need to know if the patient has congestive heart failure or aortic stenosis. These patients may not be able to take amlodipine safely. An alternative drug might be prescribed instead.

Patients should always let their doctors know if they are pregnant or breastfeeding. Currently, it is not known if amlodipine is harmful to an unborn baby. Patients who have high blood pressure during pregnancy may still be prescribed this medication to reduce the risk of gestational diabetes or eclampsia. Both conditions can cause potentially serious complications with the pregnancy. Amlodipine is capable of passing into breastmilk. However, its potential effects on the baby are unknown. All patients taking this medication should avoid alcohol consumption during their treatment. This is because alcohol increases the side effects and could reduce blood pressure to too low levels. Patients need to get up slowly from sitting or lying positions to reduce the risk of dizziness, fainting, and falls while on this medication. Patients can take missed doses as soon as they remember. However, if the dose is more than twelve hours late, they should skip it and wait for the next dose.

Continue reading to learn about this medication and allergies next.