Does Amlodipine Cause Hair Loss? – Other Side Effects

Drugs February 6th, 2023

Amlodipine is used by many people around the world since it is considered safe and effective. Nevertheless, there are potential side effects associated with using this medication for any period. There are also rumors that Amlodipine has been banned in some areas even if these rumors are not true. So, Does Amlodipine Cause Hair Loss? – Amlodipine is given to patients with high blood pressure to properly manage these levels and help them avoid more serious repercussions.

It also helps prevent chest pain and treat coronary artery disease. Patients prescribed Amlodipine should learn more about the medication and its potential side effects.

Basics Of Amlodipine:

Amlodipine is prescribed by doctors to help patients deal with high blood pressure levels. Although it is mostly used by adults, it can also be given to children six years and older. Besides treating high blood pressure, the medication effectively treats coronary artery disease and some types of chest pain. Amlodipine will relax the patient’s blood vessels so it becomes easier for the heart to pump blood throughout the body.

Does Amlodipine Cause Hair Loss

In return, this will reduce the patient’s blood pressure. Although Amlodipine can help prevent chest pain, it is not going to stop the patient’s chest pain once it begins. Therefore, patients have to take the medication as prescribed by a licensed medical professional. Using it regularly can offset the risk by reducing the amount of stress on the heart.

Mixing Amlodipine And Alcohol

Is it possible to drink alcohol when using Amlodipine? Ultimately, patients could potentially mix alcohol with this medication, but it is not a good idea. When someone drinks alcohol with Amlodipine, there could be an interaction that causes the medication to lower the blood pressure level too much. If this happens, the patient will experience startling side effects such as dizziness, tiredness, and headaches.

It is always best to avoid using alcohol when taking Amlodipine since the risks are significant. Patients should also stop drinking grapefruit juice because it can increase the amlodipine in the blood.

Why Is Amlodipine Banned In Canada?

Amlodipine Banned In Canada

Despite some rumors, Amlodipine is considered very safe and it hasn’t been banned in Canada. However, the medication has been withdrawn and recalled at certain points. For instance, the FDA added the combination pill of amlodipine and valsartan to its recall list after a cancer-causing substance was discovered.

Furthermore, Amlodipine Olmesartan Medoxomil pills were recalled at one point. Regardless, Amlodipine has not been banned in Canada or the United Kingdom.

Amlodipine Vs Lisinopril

These medications are used to treat high blood pressure. Both are very effective for this purpose, but only one is going to be right for the patient in question. The primary difference is that amlodipine tends to be significantly more effective. Studies have shown that amlodipine can provide more consistent management of blood pressure over 24 hours. As for lisinopril, it tends to be more effective in the middle of the day.

Another medication to consider is losartan which is less likely to cause side effects than lisinopril. In particular, losartan isn’t going to cause a nagging cough and the risk of facial swelling will be lower. Nevertheless, amlodipine is great for many patients since it offers reliable 24-hour blood pressure management.

Amlodipine Vs Losartan

Losartan and Amlodipine have been used regularly to help lower blood pressure levels. These medications are considered effective and safe although there are key differences between them. Patients should consult with their preferred doctors to find out which drug is right for them. Amlodipine is the best choice in many cases because it is more effective in lowering blood pressure levels.

However, Losartan has a few perks that mean it should be given to certain patients. It protects the kidney and it is less likely to cause side effects. These medications are good for managing blood pressure levels. Therefore, the doctor should help determine which drug is right for each patient.

Stopping Amlodipine Side Effects

When someone stops taking this medication, there is a risk that they’re going to encounter various problems. It is always best to switch to a different blood pressure medication instead of going cold turkey. If someone stops using amlodipine and doesn’t switch to an alternative, their blood pressure may climb significantly. Then, they’ll be at a much higher risk of experiencing a stroke and a heart attack.

Patients should strictly follow their doctor’s recommendations when taking Amlodipine. By following the doctor’s schedule and taking the right dose, they may be able to avoid any side effects.

Amlodipine Side Effects Weight Gain

Does Amlodipine Cause Weight Gain? When taking any prescription medication, there is always a chance that the patient is going to experience weight gain or loss. However, some medications are more likely to cause unexpected weight loss or weight gain than others. Amlodipine does not fit into this category.

Some users have reported gaining weight when using this medication, but it is a rare side effect. Others have reported losing weight.

Amlodipine Leg Swelling

Amlodipine side effects

Certain patients may experience swollen extremities when using Amlodipine. They may believe that this side effect is attributed to weight gain, but that usually isn’t the case. Instead, swollen legs and ankles are primarily caused by a buildup of fluid. Patients who develop swollen legs while taking Amlodipine likely have edema.

Although it can impact other parts of the body, it is more noticeable in the lower extremities including the legs and ankles.

Can Amlodipine Cause Hair Loss?

Nobody wants to lose their hair due to the medications they’re consuming. Not all medications are going to contribute to hair loss. Amlodipine usually doesn’t cause hair thinning or hair loss, but there is always a chance that it could. Patients should remember that the pros of using amlodipine tend to outweigh the cons.

It is better to have thinning hair than to have abnormally high blood pressure levels since the latter can lead to life-threatening risks.

Does Amlodipine Cause Coughing?

Some prescription blood pressure medications cause coughing. Usually, the cough will not go away until the patient has stopped using the medication in question. Thankfully, this isn’t an issue with all blood pressure drugs. In particular, patients should not develop a cough when using Amlodipine. It isn’t one of the reported side effects of this drug. However, there is a possibility that the patient is going to be using Amlodipine with other drugs that can cause a cough.

ACE inhibitors are more likely to cause a cough.

Amlodipine Dose Recommendation For Seniors

Primary care physicians prescribe antihypertensive medications like Amlodipine to their elderly patients. Amlodipine is a dihydropridine channel blocker with a long-acting effect. Senior patients with one or more chronic diseases or conditions can benefit greatly from Amlodipine.

Elderly patients have been shown to tolerate Amlodipine better than some other dihydropridine calcium channel blockers. However, primary care physicians should invest more time in monitoring their elderly patients taking Amlodipine for the first time.

The recommended Amlodipine dose for elderly patients is 2.5 milligrams daily. Physicians should not increase the daily dose to more than 5 milligrams because elderly patients have a high risk of developing heart, liver, and kidney problems.

Amlodipine For Veterinary Care

Amlodipine has been approved for the treatment of systemic hypertension in felines (cats). Studies show that cats suffering from systemic hypertension can safely take Amlodipine. A study conducted by researchers, L M Volk, R A Henik, and P S Snyder, revealed improvement in blood pressure levels in cats taking 0.625 milligrams of Amlodipine daily. Weight changes were minimal while blood pressure levels normalized.

Vets should always weigh their hypertensive feline patients before prescribing Amlodipine for the first time. The daily dosage should be calculated utilizing the ratio of 0.08-0.23 milligrams per one pound of body weight.

The correct dosage of Amlodipine should lower a cat’s blood pressure level by 44 mmHg. Vets are advised to carefully monitor their Amlodipine feline patients’ blood pressure for several months are the first administration. Doctors may use Amlodipine for cats.

Amlodipine Half-Life – What Patients Should Know

How long does Amlodipine stay in your system? The half-life of medicine is how long half a dose can be detected in the blood. Amlodipine has a half-life of 30 to 50 hours. Amlodipine remains in the body for as little as 30 hours or as long as 50 hours. In other words, it can take between 30 and 50 hours for half a dose to be eliminated from the body.

Research reveals a full dose of Amlodipine stays in the system for up to 10 days. After the last full dose, it will take nearly 10 days for it to no longer be detected in the system.

CharityRx Savings On Amlodipine

Amlodipine can be expensive without adequate insurance coverage. Patients should consider using the CharityRx discount card to save up to 80% on Amlodipine and other prescription medications. It can be downloaded and used at more than 70,000 pharmacies.

Summary

Patients with high blood pressure will have many medication options at their disposal. They may find that it is best to use a calcium channel blocker to lower their blood pressure and stave off serious risks. Calcium channel blockers, such as Amlodipine, are popular because they do not cause a cough and they’re effective. While Amlodipine has certain side effects, it is safer than some of its substitutes.

A licensed medical professional can help the patient determine whether Amlodipine is right for them. If the user is given this drug, it is wise to take it according to the doctor’s recommendations.

CharityRx pharmacy discount card

You can download the CharityRx discount card and get up to 80% discount on medicines at any of the partner pharmacies closest to you. The discount may vary depending on the drug and location.