Amlodipine: uses, ankle swelling, grapefruit and cautions

Amlodipine treats high blood pressure, which lowers the risk of serious problems such as heart attack and stroke, and it helps prevent angina attacks in people with angina. It relaxes and widens blood vessels so blood travels around the body more easily. It is only available with a prescription, and the NHS page does not list a brand name.

Most adults and children over six can take amlodipine. Tell your prescriber if you have had an allergic reaction or serious side effect to amlodipine or similar medicines, have low blood pressure, heart failure, a recent heart attack, or heart valve disease such as narrowing of the valves.

Amlodipine comes as tablets or a liquid. The NHS says your doctor will tell you how much to take and for how long, without giving fixed doses. You will usually take it once a day at the same time each day, before or after eating or drinking.

Most people with high blood pressure or angina need long-term treatment. If you miss a dose, skip it and take the next as usual; never take two to make up. Taking an extra dose can be dangerous, so call NHS 111 if you exceed your dose. Do not stop unless a doctor tells you to, as stopping suddenly can be dangerous.

The NHS lists swelling in the ankles, feet and legs, headaches, dizziness and sleepiness, a fast or more noticeable heartbeat, a red warm face or neck (flushing), tummy pain, nausea, constipation or diarrhoea and tiredness.

If you feel dizzy or sleepy, do not drive, ride a bike or use machinery until it passes. Rare serious effects include allergic reactions, swelling of the pancreas, a severe skin condition and, uncommonly, heart attack. Call NHS 111 if you think you might be having a serious effect.

Because many people feel nothing from high blood pressure, it is easy to forget the tablet or to wonder why it matters. Linking it to a daily habit helps, and keeping home or pharmacy blood pressure readings gives your prescriber something concrete to review.

If swollen ankles start, note when they began and whether a dose change preceded them. Raising your feet when sitting may help, but report persistent swelling rather than putting up with it.

The NHS is plain: do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice with amlodipine because it can increase the chance of side effects. Limit alcohol too, as it can add to the risk of low blood pressure.

Named medicines are simvastatin (a statin), antibiotics such as rifampicin, other blood pressure medicines, antifungals such as fluconazole, some HIV medicines, immunosuppressants such as ciclosporin and tacrolimus, and the herbal remedy St John's wort.

Amlodipine is not usually recommended in pregnancy because similar medicines are safer, but it may be used if those do not work and treatment matters; your doctor will discuss risks and benefits. It is not usually used while breastfeeding. The NHS page has no fertility information.

Other calcium channel blockers include felodipine, nifedipine, lercanidipine, diltiazem and verapamil, and other blood pressure medicines include ACE inhibitors and ARBs. Report suspected side effects via the Yellow Card scheme.