Long term use of Amlodipine

As a long time user of drugs (unfortunately and reluctantly) for an anxiety disorder and for blood pressure, I have had to change drugs a number of times when one failed to work as before, of when a particular brand of generic had particularly negative side effects.

For example, Xanax (alprazolam) used to give me a nice euphoria for a while and calm my anxiety quickly. A wonder drug? As I have been changed to two different generics, it now gives me NO pleasant high (in fact, now a headache and unpleasant drowsiness, but it still stops panic attacks).

Also, I used to eat tons of oranges and lemons, and now they're like pouring sulfuric acid into my blood. No change from name-brand to generic here, though.

In answering your question, there are two factors that may be at work:

1. The body changes, adapts, alters its response to the substance. In many cases, like my reaction to citrus, it begins to reject the substance (as if it gets tired of having to deal with it). Ask any allergist - overconsumption of any food runs the risk of becoming allergic to that very food. Also, the age of the consumer has a lot to do with how they react to medicines, as older metabolisms do not process things in the same way as younger bodies.

2. The excipients (extra ingredients) in name-brand drugs and generic forms are often quite different. Most amlodipine (formerly Norvasc by US Pfizer) is generic now, most made by Lupin, a company in India. Although the main anti-hypertensive ingredient is still there, other different excipients (and water supply) may be used - and they may trigger negative reactions.

I hope this clarifies the issue a bit for you. It is complex and may have various causes, but it is not at all unreasonable that side effects may occur years after starting a medication.

I suppose that I was fortunate in that I began to experience negative side effects (perhaps to the basic amlodipine itself) only a couple of months after starting what I thought was the perfect answer to my blood pressure problems. The side effects apparently "took off" once it had reached a certain level of concentration in my body.

Since it has such a long half-life (persistence in the body), I am still experiencing hot flashes, high BP spikes, racing pulse, etc. - things that never occurred before I took Lupin amlodipine - the Indian generic, which also concerns me.

Dear Colibri,

Your description  "India, a country ridden with pollution and disease" smacks of ignorance and malice, There are so many medicines manufactured in India and other countries; why would only amlodipine produce negative side-effects? And why only in your country or the Netherlands. Try to help the members in the Forum with studied and researched facts not with irresponsible revelations like "  I just watched a documentary on PBS that showed how the very water in India often carries an incurable bacteria (NDM-1).

Thanks.

How long did it take for swelling to go away around sock line after discontinuing use of Amlodipine?

GP states this will go away...someone on this site said it took 3 to 5 weeks for them. In addition, not sure if related, portion of my left calve has atrophied.

GP checked for blood clots in legs...no vascular problems found.

Hi Dave, sorry only just found your post.

"How long did it take for swelling to go away around sock line after discontinuing use of Amlodipine?"

Not sure (that's a lot of help), weeks or months but still get some mark from tight sock after maybe 1 year+, but maybe normal.

"Having exactly the same problem after using amlodipine for a few years. Deep dents at sock line. Press on skin on shin abive sock line and the swollen area remains indented."

I've also noticed the remaining indentation, but less so lately..

People have commented how muscley my calves are and "do you do a lot of cycling?" and the answer is no, I haven't been on a bike regularly since I was at school!

It's been a year I guess, or more and my calves just don't look right, ankles not so bad, but calves, although hard when tensed, look so 'podgy' when relaxed. Spoke to a doctor who said that his mother in Law, had swollen legs from  Amlodipine, but he said they were going down, but very slowly. I have noticed mine are less swollen after a nights sleep, but gradually "pump up" somewhat during the day. I have had attacks of cramp in my calves in the night for years, which involve bouts of shouting out with the agonising pain. God knows what my neighbours think. Sorry if not much help

Hi xizziz - It does appear that a small number of people do get bad side effects BUT the vast majority have none or very mild.  In my case, I have been taking Amlodipine since 2001 and all I can say is has kept my BP at 'normal' for 16 years with zero side effects!  It's been around for a very long time - many decades.  If you are taking, or about to take, Amlodipine and it's not working for you don't just stop taking them, but go back to your MD/GP and request a different type of BP med. the worst thing is to do nothing as you are leaving yourself open to Heart problems, Strokes etc.

Hi John I am on Lisiniprol which is very effective for me - but have lost a lot of weight and now my bp runs as low as 95/60, most the time it is around 105/78 or something like that as I am afraid to stop taking it and have another brain aneurysm rupture  Can I ask what is your normal readings?