Key takeaways:
Amlodipine (Norvasc, Katerzia, Norliqva) is a medication used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and coronary artery disease. Swelling, fatigue, and flushing are some of the most common side effects of amlodipine.
Some amlodipine side effects, such as swelling and dizziness, are more common with higher doses. And others, such as a fast or irregular heartbeat, have been reported more frequently among women than men.
Rare but serious amlodipine side effects include severely low blood pressure, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Seek immediate medical help if you’re experiencing serious side effects.
Amlodipine (Norvasc, Katerzia, Norliqva) is a common medication used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). In fact, it’s one of the first-choice medication options for the condition. It’s also FDA approved to treat certain types of angina (chest pain) and coronary artery disease (CAD).
Amlodipine belongs to a medication class called calcium channel blockers. It lowers your blood pressure by causing blood vessels to relax and widen throughout your body. This also helps with chest pain, since your heart doesn’t have to pump as hard.
Even though it’s commonly used, is amlodipine safe? It’s known to cause bothersome side effects such as swelling, fatigue, and dizziness. But how common are amlodipine side effects, and is there anything you can do about them?
Amlodipine side effects at a glance
Amlodipine is generally tolerated well. Most amlodipine side effects are mild and many improve as your body adjusts to the medication. While rare, serious side effects can happen. So it’s good to know about them and what to do if they occur.
Common or mild amlodipine side effects include:
Peripheral edema (swelling of the legs and ankles)
Flushing
Heart palpitations (pounding or racing heartbeats)
Fatigue
Nausea
Dizziness
Stomach pain
Drowsiness
Less common, but generally still mild, amlodipine side effects reported by people in clinical trials include:
Weight gain
Increased urination
Sexual problems, including erectile dysfunction
Muscle tremors or stiffness
Headache
Bleeding gums
Rare but serious amlodipine side effects and risks include:
Shortness of breath
Severely low blood pressure
Worsening chest pain and heart attack in certain people
Pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas)
Allergic reactions
BRASH syndrome
Below are details about 14 notable amlodipine side effects, plus ways to manage them.
Good to know: The most commonly prescribed form of amlodipine is an oral tablet. But the medication also comes as two different oral liquids (brand names Katerzia and Norliqva). Side effects are similar for all forms of amlodipine.
1. Swelling in your legs or ankles
Swelling of the legs or ankles is one of the most common amlodipine side effects. It happens because amlodipine dilates your blood vessels, which improves blood flow. But this can put pressure on smaller blood vessels (called capillaries), causing fluid to leak out into surrounding tissues. When it occurs, swelling usually happens in both legs.
Swelling is more likely to happen with higher doses of amlodipine (10 mg daily). And women were about 2 to 3 times more likely to report swelling compared to men during clinical trials.
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