From the Guidelines
Amlodipine can cause side effects such as headache and edema, as reported in the most recent and highest quality study 1.
Common Side Effects of Amlodipine
The most common side effects of amlodipine include:
- Headache
- Edema (swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet) These side effects are typically mild and may improve as the body adjusts to the medication.
Less Common Side Effects
Less common but potentially serious side effects may include:
- Severe allergic reactions
- Chest pain or worsening angina
- Irregular heartbeat
- Fainting
- Shortness of breath
Minimizing Side Effects
To minimize side effects, patients can:
- Take amlodipine at the same time each day
- Start with a low dose (typically 5 to 10 mg daily) and gradually increase if needed
- Stay hydrated and avoid excessive alcohol consumption
- Monitor blood pressure regularly
Mechanism of Action
Amlodipine works by relaxing blood vessels, which can lead to these side effects. The swelling occurs due to increased fluid retention in the extremities. As reported in 1, amlodipine has the most peripheral arterial dilatory effects but few or no AV or sinus node effects. Always inform your doctor about any side effects you experience.
From the FDA Drug Label
The most commonly reported side effects more frequent than placebo are reflected in the table below. The incidence (%) of side effects that occurred in a dose related manner are as follows: Edema 1.8 3.0 10.8 0.6 Dizziness 1.1 3.4 3.4 1.5 Flushing 0.7 1.4 2.6 0.0 Palpitation 0.7 1.4 4.5 0.6 Other adverse reactions that were not clearly dose related but were reported with an incidence greater than 1.0% in placebo-controlled clinical trials include the following: Amlodipine (%) (N=1730) Placebo (%) (N=1250) Fatigue 4.5 2.8 Nausea 2.9 1.9 Abdominal Pain 1.6 0.3 Somnolence 1.4 0.6 The following events occurred in <1% but >0.1% of patients in controlled clinical trials or under conditions of open trials or marketing experience where a causal relationship is uncertain; they are listed to alert the physician to a possible relationship: Cardiovascular: arrhythmia (including ventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation), bradycardia, chest pain, peripheral ischemia, syncope, tachycardia, vasculitis Central and Peripheral Nervous System: hypoesthesia, neuropathy peripheral, paresthesia, tremor, vertigo. Gastrointestinal: anorexia, constipation, dysphagia, diarrhea, flatulence, pancreatitis, vomiting, gingival hyperplasia. General: allergic reaction, asthenia, back pain, hot flushes, malaise, pain, rigors, weight gain, weight decrease Musculoskeletal System: arthralgia, arthrosis, muscle cramps, myalgia. Psychiatric: sexual dysfunction (male and female), insomnia, nervousness, depression, abnormal dreams, anxiety, depersonalization. Respiratory System: dyspnea, epistaxis. Skin and Appendages: angioedema, erythema multiforme, pruritus, rash, rash erythematous, rash maculopapular Special Senses: abnormal vision, conjunctivitis, diplopia, eye pain, tinnitus. Urinary System: micturition frequency, micturition disorder, nocturia. Autonomic Nervous System: dry mouth, sweating increased. Metabolic and Nutritional: hyperglycemia, thirst. Hemopoietic: leukopenia, purpura, thrombocytopenia
The side effects of Amlodipine (calcium channel blocker) include:
- Common side effects:
- Edema
- Dizziness
- Flushing
- Palpitation
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Somnolence
- Less common side effects:
- Arrhythmia
- Bradycardia
- Chest pain
- Peripheral ischemia
- Syncope
- Tachycardia
- Vasculitis
- Hypoesthesia
- Neuropathy peripheral
- Paresthesia
- Tremor
- Vertigo
- Anorexia
- Constipation
- Dysphagia
- Diarrhea
- Flatulence
- Pancreatitis
- Vomiting
- Gingival hyperplasia
- Allergic reaction
- Asthenia
- Back pain
- Hot flushes
- Malaise
- Pain
- Rigors
- Weight gain
- Weight decrease
- Arthralgia
- Arthrosis
- Muscle cramps
- Myalgia
- Sexual dysfunction
- Insomnia
- Nervousness
- Depression
- Abnormal dreams
- Anxiety
- Depersonalization
- Dyspnea
- Epistaxis
- Angioedema
- Erythema multiforme
- Pruritus
- Rash
- Rash erythematous
- Rash maculopapular
- Abnormal vision
- Conjunctivitis
- Diplopia
- Eye pain
- Tinnitus
- Micturition frequency
- Micturition disorder
- Nocturia
- Dry mouth
- Sweating increased
- Hyperglycemia
- Thirst
- Leukopenia
- Purpura
- Thrombocytopenia 2
From the Research
Side Effects of Amlodipine
The side effects of amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker, are well-documented in various studies. Some of the common side effects include:
- Edema (swelling) 3, 4, 5, 6
- Palpitations (irregular heartbeat) 3
- Dizziness 3, 4, 7, 6
- Flushing (redness of the skin) 3, 4, 5, 7, 6
- Headache 4, 5, 7, 6
Dosage and Side Effects
The incidence of side effects may vary depending on the dosage of amlodipine. For example:
- Higher doses (10 mg) are associated with a higher incidence of edema, palpitations, dizziness, and flushing 3, 5
- Lower doses (2.5-5 mg) may result in lower rates of edema and headache 5
Special Considerations
Amlodipine may be used in various patient populations, including:
- Older adults, who may benefit from its ability to control blood pressure and protect against stroke and myocardial infarction 3
- Pediatric patients, who may experience a lower incidence of edema compared to adults 4
- Patients with congestive heart failure, who may potentially benefit from amlodipine's therapeutic effects 6