Amlodipine is one of the most common medicines that doctors prescribe for those with high blood pressure. While the exact number of people taking it is not published by the NHS, it accounts for nearly 35 million prescriptions every year.
To put this in perspective, approximately one in three UK adults is diagnosed with high blood pressure, and this calcium channel blocker is a standard first-line treatment for managing hypertension and preventing angina.
But people who take this medication will often need to adopt certain lifestyle changes to manage their blood pressure. As this tablet is often needed for life, patients tend to support this with a diet overhaul and increased exercise.
According to the NHS, there is one thing that people should avoid altogether when taking this drug. The health service says on its website that grapefruit (and its juice) should be scrapped from the diets of people taking any dose of amlodipine.
As the weather heats up in the UK, many people may opt for refreshing fruits and juices to stay cool and hydrated. However, there are certain types that people taking the medication should avoid.
Why is grapefruit so dangerous?
According to Harvard Health, grapefruit contains compounds that block the liver and gut enzyme CYP3A4, which normally breaks down amlodipine. The specialists said: “Consuming grapefruit can cause amlodipine to build up to unsafe levels in your bloodstream, significantly increasing the risk of side effects like excessive dizziness, flushing, or dangerously low blood pressure.”
On its website, the NHS said: “Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking amlodipine because it can increase the chance of side effects.” Like all medicines, amlodipine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them, and common side effects include:
- swelling in your ankles, feet and legs (oedema)
- headaches, dizziness and feeling sleepy
- a fast heartbeat, or feeling like your heartbeat is more noticeable (palpitations)
- a red and warm face or neck (flushing)
- tummy pain and feeling sick (nausea)
- constipation or diarrhoea
- feeling weak and tired (fatigue)
The NHS adds: “Amlodipine can sometimes cause serious side effects, but these are rare. Though it is very rare, amlodipine can cause heart attacks.”
Possible serious side effects of amlodipine can include an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), swelling of the pancreas (acute pancreatitis), and Stevens-Johnson syndrome – a serious skin reaction that causes blistering of the skin, painful sores and skin peeling, as well as flu-like symptoms.
Speak to a pharmacist or doctor if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away, as they may be able to give you advice about how to reduce any side effects. It is important to call NHS 111 if you’re taking amlodipine and think you might be having serious side effects.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
