Amlodipine

Anybody taking Amlodipine? Now Doc gave me a diuretic since the Aml.. has caused water retention. Am beginning to feel like a guinea pig- testing new combos that make me feel worse. Suggestions welcome!

8 Comments

Amlodipine

by dottodot - 2010-12-29 09:12:08

At one time I was on it and had extreme edema. Finally said no more and I was given another calcium channel blocker and no further problems. There are usually choices that would cause you less problems.

No Problems

by jessame - 2010-12-29 09:12:34

I have been on this medication for about a year. I guess I did not have problems with adema since I was already taking a diuretic for HBP.

Fluid Retention

by Juan - 2010-12-29 09:12:46

My experiemce with heart and BP medications, and it is plenty, is that almost any of them can cause fluid retention. Some more than others.

A slow heart rate or congestive heart failure will also cause fluid retention, so diuretics are the answer for most of the time.

Med help

by jvaltos - 2010-12-29 11:12:41

Adding Norvasc (Amlodipine) for hypertension is not atypical for most Cardiologists. It has great anti-hypertensive effects. ]
However, the most common side effect is the edema.

When this happens, I lower the dosage to 2.5mg and wait. If there is still edema, then I typically discontinue it, especially if the patient is only taking one medication.

However, Norvasc is not commonly a first line agent. There is not great study data to prescribe it as a first line single agent.

Adding a diuretic after is not as common as starting Norvasc afterwards.

If possible, the best solution is not to be on the medication that causes the side effects and try a different med.

Dr Valtos-

These are general rules and in no way construes professional medical advice. Please only act in concert with you personal physician. Thanks.

Yes, he is

by lenora - 2010-12-30 01:12:54

Dr. Josh Valtos is indeed a cardiologist in Missouri. He knows quite a few of the cardiologists with whom I work. He's actually been a member of the PM Club for quite a while.

Yes

by jvaltos - 2010-12-30 04:12:58

@JB-I am a Cardiologist, trained at Emory, U. of Missouri and then at Heart Institute in KC, MO. Spent a year just doing devices. Although no formal program exists for just doing device implants, we only had one EP fellow my last year of general training and since I had a strong interest in pacers/ICDs/BVICDs, they let me implant for almost the entire year (more cases that almost all EP fellows do.)

I have been around here intermittently for a while but took time off from posting to study for boards. I have a strong interest in patients knowing and understanding their devices.

I practice in Kirksville, MO.

@ lenora-are you at BHC on 3100??

Thank you

by estherr - 2010-12-30 09:12:22

Thanks for all the feedback. After I got my pm, I was put on Bystolic 5mg and Lisinipril 2.5mg- bad reactions from them, so then the Amlodipine 2.5mg and Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5mg. Today, doc took me off both and we'll watch the bp over the holiday. Will see him early Jan.
I really appreciate reading all the comments and especially those of Dr Valtos. Happy New Year all.

Is This You

by J.B. - 2010-12-30 12:12:53

Dr. Valtos,

We get people claiming to be doctors commenting here every once in a while. When I see one I make it a point to see if I can find their name any where and when I looked up your name I came up with:

Dr. Joshusa D. Valtos, MD - Cardiology - Columbia, MO

Is this you?

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