From the Research
Amlodipine can cause mouth sores as a side effect, though this is relatively uncommon, as evidenced by a recent case report in 2024 1. Amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker commonly prescribed for high blood pressure and angina, has been associated with oral side effects including gingival hyperplasia (gum overgrowth), dry mouth, altered taste, and occasionally mouth ulcers or sores. If you develop mouth sores while taking amlodipine, you should contact your healthcare provider, as they may want to evaluate whether the medication is the cause or if there's another explanation. Some key points to consider:
- Don't stop taking amlodipine suddenly without medical guidance.
- Your doctor might consider adjusting your dose or switching to an alternative medication if the mouth sores are troublesome or persistent.
- The mechanism behind this side effect likely involves the drug's effect on calcium regulation in soft tissues and potential inflammatory responses, as suggested by a case report of amlodipine-induced gum hyperplasia 2.
- Good oral hygiene may help minimize some oral side effects of calcium channel blockers, but won't necessarily prevent mouth sores if they're a direct reaction to the medication.
- Other oral side effects associated with amlodipine include buccal lichenoid lesions, as reported in a case study in 2024 1, and plasma cell granuloma of the gingiva, as described in a novel case report in 2014 3. It's essential to be aware of these potential side effects to provide prompt management and avoid further debilitating impacts on patients, as highlighted by the case reports 1, 2, 3.