i suffer from high blood pressure and take atenonol 50mg/amlodipine 10 mg and have the usual side effects?

Question

i have recently read amlodipine is banned in belgium and holland but cannot find any information why can anyone help

Answer 1

Hello,

I used to sell amlodipine (TM Norvasc) so this answer may be a little stilted. One comment about the sites the other answerer sent you to, they're good, but keep in mind when the WebMD site states severe side effect that doesn't talk about the frequency with which that side effect occurs. That being said I know cankles aren't any fun to have.

I am going to imagine that you have had chest pains or have an irregular or fast heart beat (tachycardia). This is why your physician put you on this particular combination. He is basically working within your body's homeostatic boundaries by alleviating the afterload on the heart (Norvasc) and decreasing the pumping pressure (atneolol). If you're having the fluid build up and your blood pressure remains ucontrolled you might consider a generic ACE or HCTZ. The data is stronger for chlorthalidone (another diuretic) but it is harder to monitor for your doctor.

As far as being banned in Holland and Belgium, don't confuse ban with them preferring to use something else, in this case nitrendipine. The likely cause of this (like all other bad formulary decisions) is cost. In terms of bp control, side-effect profile, and convenience (1 each day vs. 2 each day) amlodipine wins hands down.

Hope this helps,

JK

Answer 2

I haven't had an experience like you describe,I've been on B/P meds for 9 1/2 years. Basically well controlled. There have been occasions when I just didn't feel right, would monitor my b/p and find it high. Usually I would take .5mg of lorazepam and kick back in the lounger, it would come down shortly. My doc has changed my meds about4 times since I began, each time it would settle into a usual 120/70 or close. This last time, I didn't respond quickly and was feeling arrhythmia's, was referred to a cardiologist. I wore a Holter monitor and had some scan, can't remember now what it was called. the cardiologist found nothing alarming. After all that, the arrhythmia's and spikes all seemed to settle down. maybe reassurance had something to do with it. I told my doctors I am not a neurotic, but believe in being proactive. Don't want to find serious problems only after a cardiac event. Be sure you document your time line and remember everything about your experience. I believe you will b e fine, but reassurance is a wonderful thing.

Answer 3

Atenolol is in a class of medications called a beta blocker. It has been around for nearly a half century. It has a very sound safety profile. It is a good medication for blood pressure especially if there is any risk for coronary disease. It also is a good medication if you are experiencing fast heart rates or arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation.

I disagree that you would necessarily use this combination for chest pain but of course it would make logical sense since both of these medications can be used to allieviate angina.

Amlor is the name Amlodipine (Norvasc) is sold in Belgium.
Norvasc is in a class of medications called calcium channel blockers. There are a number of studies to support CCB as an appropriate choice for blood pressure control. It is the fourth-largest-selling drug in the world including sales in Belgium and Holland. Its success has been driven by its very good efficacy, once-daily dosing, consistent 24-hour control of hypertension and angina, and excellent historical safety record and tolerability. The product has been studied in more than 400,000 patients and has been used in more than 30 billion patient days of therapy worldwide. The one side effect that people can experience is fluid retention/swelling - which often shows up at the ankles - if it does at all.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-5891-Amlodipine.aspx?drugid=5891&drugname=Amlodipine&pagenumber=6

http://www.webmd.com/search/search_results/default.aspx?sourceType=all&searchSubmit.x=37&searchSubmit.y=9&query=atenolol