I know its was amlodipine!

Since I've stopped taking Amlodipine my blood pressure has dropped significantly. I've always had too much salt on my food. I've stopped this completely. I must say, my food now tastes awful. I've also started eating more fruit and vegetables. I also exercise every day. I have lost a stone in weight since Christmas. I'm 68 in a few months time. I am determined to start this new lifestyle rather than take this awful drug. Please try to do the same, ladies and gentlemen.

Just found this thread. After 8 days of Amlodipine I had so many problems, went back to the GP this morning and agreed to take no more over the weekend. After reading these posts I am in no hurry to re-start them! I have that sensation of creepy crawlies swarming all over me, last experienced during the menopause. Also, a very dry mouth first thing in the morning and sore throat. Extreme tinnitus, which as I wear hearing aids is awful. Arthritic pains intensified. Swellings behind each ear, GP said they are not lymph glands but doesn't seem to know the cause.

If I had read even a quarter of these posts I would have never started the medication, so these reactions are a true account of what I have experienced, not influenced by prior knowledge. I will get in touch with GP again after the weekend but having missed my morning dose I am starting to feel a bit more human again already so can't wait for them to clear my system!

How wonderful to find this forum and this thread! I live in Australia, 62 yrs old with very high BP, overweight and prone to stress. Have been on BP meds for 15 years. Doctor put me on Amlo as well but it did not assist with lowering BP. And the side effects! so many of what i see reported here. After 4 weeks I stopped taking the Amlo and told my Doctor of the side effects. (He wanted to put me on Physiotens but the 'possible side effects ' I see listed on the website are identical to Amlo so I wont be taking physiotens either!) Anyway it is four or five weeks since I stopped the Amlo and I am still having problems with breathing difficulties, not sleeping and feeling fatigued and fluid retention/ lack of motivation. I would be interested to hear how long others took to recover from Amlo side effects because I am worried that there may be some permanent or longlasting problems.

Thankyou

I am a relatively healthy 66 yr old. My BP was found to be high during a visit to the local hospital for a minor operation my finger.

I went to my GP in January for an ECG and a BP test. My heart was ok but my BP was high. She prescribed Amlodipine 5mg. After about 6 weeks I started to experience drowsiness, muscle pains and light headedness.

2 weeks ago I almost passed out at the Golf Club. I came home and did an internet search and found this website. I was shocked to discover the number of people affected by this drug. Needless to say I went to my GP the next day and asked for an appointment only to be told that it would be a further 2 weeks before I could see her so I asked for an emergency appointment with any doctor. I was given one with a Junior Doctor who was at the practice as part of her training. When I told her my symptoms, she agreed that these were possible side effects of this drug. When I told her that this drug had been banned in Holland she was shocked and said that she would look into this.

I have now been prescribed Felodipine 2.5 mg for 1 week and then 5mg after that.As soon as I stopped the Amoldipine all my symptoms disappeared.

I know that Felodipine and Amoldipine are from the same family of drugs but I will give it a try, but if the side effects reappear then I will stop them immediately and probably try a herbal remedy.

Hi thanks for the information on this forum, I was on Bendroflumethiazide for a while but had problems with dry eye, have been given Amlodipine instead and been on it for about a month but I feel so ill taking it. I have constant headaches, sinusitus and am tired and lethargic all the time and feel like a zombie. Spoke to doctor but she said stay on it for a bit longer as side effects would go eventually, but that doesn't seem to be happening. Although its keeping my blood pressure lower I am really down as I take medication for depression anyway. Not sure what to do as I want to get on with my life, even taking dogs for a walk is a big deal now.

Hello Elaine 30474. I am not convinced that the side effects will eventually go away (as quoted by your gp) You only have to read some of the comments on this forum to see what a lethal drug this amlodipine is. If I were you I would tell your gp you want to come off it and to try something else (I had to do this as the gp I saw obviously did not believe what I was telling him were the side effects I was experiencing. I refused to continue with it).

Unfortunately it seems to be a bit of a 'lottery' as to what medication suits some and not others. I too have tried Bendroflumethiazide. This unfortunately flushed out all my salts, and a couple of others increased my potassium. I am now on an Alpha blocker Doxazosin which is not too bad. Main problem seems to be anxiety it causes at times, and not sure if swollen ankles may be to do with it. Seems there are about 4/5 types of medication used to treat BP- and they all work in slightly different ways.

Hi Annie it was great to read your reply, I am definitely going to my GP tomorrow and get her to take me off these and try something else, its good to know I'm not the only one who has had problems with this drug, thank you.

Annie and Elaine

I read an article yesterday from a hospital trust suggesting that patients on some of the older Calcium Channel Blockers should be switched to the cheaper drug, Amlodipine, to save money!!!!

Because of very swollen ankles and feet and a rash on my lower legs, I was switched from Amlodipine to Diltiazem but I am still having swelling and a feeling of congestion in my legs. Not surprising really as both Amlodipine and Diltiazem are Calcium Channel Blockers.

The consultant then added Ramipril, saying that it may reduce the swelling caused by the Diltiazem. It didn't and I started feel rough and nauseous, so that was stopped and replaced with Losartan Potassium. Blood tests a week later showed reduced sodium, and I'm really fed up with this feeling in my legs. Am putting up with it 'til my next appointment a week on Thursday, but I hope there is something out there for me without these side effects or I'll be running out of choices! Wouldn't be surprised if it is suggested that a diuretic is added so that will be 3 BP medicines, one of which is to counteract the side effect of another.

If the diuretic flushed out your salts, Annie, then goodness knows how much more salt I would lose.

Annie, as far as Doxasosin is concerned, it is an Alpha Blocker and one of the side effects listed is oedema (swelling due to fluid retention). I'm glad at least to hear that you feel ok on it.

HI to every one, are there any one out who can say anything positive about amlodipine. I cannot understand why there not getting the message about this drug, its been banned in one country the GPs must know all about it why prescribe it, maybeits the cheapest option who knows and who knows the long term effects. maybe it is up to us to do something about it. for future BP patients. would everyone who have had a bad experience with amlodipine report it to the yellow card that way they should do something about it. if you are in the UK you can go to www.yellowcard.gov.uk report what have been happening to you all , and theres a lot of us out there and see if something that can be done about this evil medication. thank you for any one who takes this positive step towards getting this drug banned. len7

Well after some great advice on this forum I went to my GP who has taken me off the Amlodipine and prescribed Losartan Potassium. As a result I have not had any bp tablets for two days and I feel like a different person I cannot believe how toxic this medicine was to my body. I would be interested if anyone has any comments on the Losartan Potassium as I have decided to give my body a break from these tablets for a few more days. len7 mentioned reporting Amlodipine to yellowcard and I think this is a good idea. Thanks for all your messages.