Drawbacks

You are more likely to have the following side effects if you are between the ages of 18 and 60, do not take any other medications, or have any other medical conditions:

• The primary adverse effect is edema, or ankle swelling. There have also been reports of wheezing, shortness of breath, dizziness, a fast or irregular heartbeat, and flushing.
• Patients with liver problems may require lower doses. Use a lower initial dose of 2.5 mg/day when starting treatment in people who are already on antihypertensive medication.
• Rarely, some persons may develop excessively low blood pressure. People with significant aortic stenosis are at a higher risk. Regular blood pressure checks are necessary.
• Rarely, commencing amlodipine may cause some individuals to suffer a rise in the frequency or severity of angina or acute myocardial infarction (heart attack). People with significant obstructive coronary artery disease are at higher risk.
• Several other medications, including those that block the hepatic enzyme CYP3A and others that also reduce blood pressure, may interact with it. For a complete list of medication interactions, consult the prescription instructions.