I've just been prescribed Amlodipine for my BP

I hope you hear good experiences but the reality of the Internet and human nature is that you will mainly read negative comments and rarely hear good. The people happy with treatments are rarely scouring the net for advice, they are out running marathons and climbing mountains. I do know people on A who speak highly of it but are unlikely to post that as a comment. I just wanted to be realistic if you hear from few advocates. 

Hello Annabelle,

I am sorry to hear that you are worried about taking A.  As broadsword says, you probably will hear more of the negative than the positive on this particular forum.

In my case, I have experienced problems with drug reactions before. I admit to feeling greatly better after stopping A (after a thrilling week-end at hospital and numerous blood tests/ECGs). I reacted badly to A and it caused all the symptoms it was supposed to treat - including angina, hypertension.

However, I live with my mother in law (who is a sprightly 88) she takes A and has done for several years. She experiences no ill effects and it controls her bp well.  My husband also takes A, and also has no problems - his bp is under control.  So there you go.  I think each of us is more individual than modern medicine is aware - and what is good for some is not good for  all.

Please take care and don't let fear (not good for the bp anyway) prevent you from trying what may be an effective treatment. By the same token, be aware of what your body may be experiencing and question any possible side-effects.  There should be no need to suffer unnecessarily. Good luck with your treatment.

I started Amlodopine 3 weeks ago 5mg. First week I had a few headaches but since I have been fine. Back at docs Tuesday to see if it's helped my BP to come down. I also take candasartan 32mg. Both I take in the morning. I am a qualified nurse on a busy ward and found that I am ok working to. Hope this helps x

I was on it for several years at 5 mg and it did an excellent job of controlling my blood pressure when other medications had not.  It was only when I increased to 10 mg that everything went crazy.  It gave me Afib and I now have a pacemaker.  My doctor was really surprised as he beleived it to be a good medicine.  I'm sure most people taking the drug are OK with it.  Just watch for any signs of weakness that you haven't experienced before and regulary check your heart rate.  Because of the Afib, my heartbeat registerred in the 90s on my monitor, but was actually in the 50s and later dropped to the 30s.

Personally I didn't get on with A, although it did control my BP well. I suggest you give it a try, but don't wait too long to talk to your gp if you suffer side effects. I took me a while, and it was the third doctor I consulted, who listened & actually recognized my symptoms. Good luck.

Hi Annabella

I was prescribed a tiny starting dose of 2.5mg of Amlodipine which caused oedema in my ankles/lower legs eventually leading to a diagnosis of varicose eczema so it was eventually stopped and replaced with another medication after about 7 weeks.  I have now had unwanted side effects from a further 3 medications tried.  So I am probably the worst person to advise when it comes to BP drugs!

However, I have a friend who takes Amlodipine very successfully.  My hubby also takes 5mg without any problem but he also experienced ankle swelling when they increased it to 10mg.  They reduced it back down to 5mg and added in a low dose of another BP medication (Ramipril).  Although he seems fine on it, he did collapse with total heart block one day and was rushed to A&E by the paramedics where they inserted a pacemaker.  Being a very suspicious soul, I often wonder whether the Amlodipine was to blame, especially as our neighbour who was also taking Amlodipine has just been fitted with a pacemaker too!

Like many others, You may be lucky and not experience any side effects, so my advice, for what it's worth, would be to try it but if you experience any side effects, don't do what I did and put up with them for 7 weeks, but ask for an alternative.  Good luck, and whatever the outcome, do please keep in touch and let us know how you get on.

Hi Annabella. I stopped taking it due to the side effects and there are other meds that do not have unpleasant side effects. It is a bit off putting when you read that a number of countries had concerns re the drug and the Netherlands banned it (Check out the initial trial paperwork). I suppose the best thing you can do, is try it for yourself. I would say, if you get unpleasant symptoms please go back to your GP. Hope for you it is fine.

Ask your doctor to change it to something else, believe me they are really awful tablets