Amlodipine interactions: Alcohol, medications, and other factors

Amlodipine interactions with other medications  

Before you start treatment with amlodipine, tell your doctor and pharmacist which prescription, over-the-counter, and other medications you take. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions. (To learn whether amlodipine interacts with supplements, herbs, or vitamins, see the “Amlodipine and other interactions” section.)

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist. They can tell you more about what drugs you should not take with amlodipine.

Here’s a table of drugs that can interact with amlodipine. Keep in mind that this table doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with amlodipine. Some of these interactions are described in detail in “Drug interactions in depth.”

When to avoid amlodipine

Sometimes, certain factors or conditions could prevent your doctor from prescribing amlodipine due to the risk of harm. These are known as contraindications. The contraindications of amlodipine include:

Having had an allergic reaction to amlodipine or any of its ingredients

If you have had an allergic reaction to amlodipine or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe amlodipine. Taking the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better options for you.

Note:Before you start treatment with amlodipine, it’s important to tell your doctor if this contraindication applies to you. They can determine whether to prescribe amlodipine.

Amlodipine interaction with alcohol

There are no known interactions between amlodipine and alcohol. However, drinking alcohol while taking the drug may worsen some of amlodipine’s side effects. For example, you may have worsened dizziness, nausea, or sleepiness.

If you have questions about drinking alcohol while taking amlodipine, talk with your doctor.

Drug interactions in depth

Here’s a closer look at certain drug interactions of amlodipine.

NSAIDs

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) help ease fever, pain, and inflammation. Certain NSAIDs are available over the counter (OTC), meaning you don’t need a prescription to purchase them.

Interaction result:Taking amlodipine with an NSAID may increase the risk of kidney problems, which could affect how well amlodipine manages blood pressure.

Interaction explained:Amlodipine reduces blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels, which allows blood to flow more easily through the body. However, NSAIDs can affect certain chemicals in your body that help keep blood vessels relaxed. This may lead to tightened blood vessels, which could affect how well amlodipine works to manage blood pressure.

Examples of NSAIDs: Here are some NSAIDs that may interact with amlodipine:

• ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
• celecoxib (Elyxyb, Celebrex)
• diclofenac (Cataflam, Zipsor, others)
• naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, others)
• meloxicam

Steps you or your doctor may take:Before taking any OTC pain reliever with amlodipine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can advise you on which OTC products contain NSAIDs and whether they’re safe to take with this drug.

If your doctor prescribes amlodipine with an NSAID, they may adjust your amlodipine dosage to manage your condition better.

To learn more about amlodipine and NSAIDs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Beta-blockers

As with amlodipine, beta-blockers are prescribed to treat high blood pressure and certain heart conditions.

Interaction result: Taking amlodipine with a beta-blocker may increase the risk of low blood pressure.

Interaction explained: When taken individually, amlodipine and beta-blockers may cause low blood pressure. Taking these drugs together may lower your blood pressure even further.

Examples of beta-blocker drugs: Here are some beta-blockers that may interact with amlodipine:

• bisoprolol
• carvedilol (Coreg, Coreg CR)
• metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL, others)
• nebivolol (Bystolic)
• propranolol (Inderal LA, Innopran XL, others)

Steps you or your doctor may take: Before taking amlodipine, be sure your doctor knows if you’re taking a beta-blocker. They can recommend whether it’s safe to take these medications together.

To learn more about amlodipine and beta-blockers, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Statins

Statins are prescribed to treat high cholesterol and reduce certain heart-related risks.

Interaction result: Taking amlodipine with certain statins may increase the risk of muscle-related side effects from the statin. These can include muscle weakness and rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown).

Interaction explained: Amlodipine may slow down the activity of an enzyme (protein) that breaks down certain statins in your body. Taking amlodipine with these drugs may lead to a high level of the statin in your system. This could increase your risk of muscle-related side effects from the statin.

Examples of statin drugs: Statins that may interact with amlodipine include lovastatin (Altoprev) and simvastatin (FloLipid, Zocor).

Steps you or your doctor may take: Before taking amlodipine, tell your doctor about any statin drugs you’re prescribed. They’ll recommend whether it’s safe to take these medications together.

Your doctor may suggest switching to a different statin drug that is less likely to interact with amlodipine. Or, they may reduce your risk of side effects by lowering the statin dosage you’re prescribed.

To learn more about amlodipine and statins, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Amlodipine and other interactions

Amlodipine may have other interactions, such as with supplements, foods, vaccines, or even lab tests. Read on for more details. Keep in mind that the following information does not include all other possible interactions with amlodipine.

Amlodipine interactions with supplements

Amlodipine may interact with fish oil supplements, which could lower blood pressure when used at high doses. Amlodipine is used to treat high blood pressure. Combining these products may lower your blood pressure even further.

Before you start treatment with amlodipine, tell your doctor and pharmacist which supplements, herbs, and vitamins you take. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Amlodipine and herbs

Amlodipine may interact with St. John’s wort, which is an herbal supplement used to treat depression and other conditions.

St. John’s wort may speed up the activity of an enzyme (protein) that breaks down amlodipine in your body. Taking amlodipine with this supplement may lead to a low level of amlodipine in your system. If the level of amlodipine in your system is too low, the drug may not work as well for your condition.

Amlodipine may also interact with supplements that slow the breakdown of amlodipine in your body. These include:

• Ginkgo biloba, which is used for dementia, anxiety, and other conditions
• ginseng, which is used to increase energy, lower cholesterol, and other uses

Taking amlodipine with these supplements may lead to a high level of amlodipine in your system. This could increase your risk of side effects from amlodipine.

Before taking amlodipine with any herbal supplements, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may suggest other treatment options.

Amlodipine and vitamins

There are no specific reports of vitamins interacting with amlodipine. However, that doesn’t mean vitamin interactions won’t occur or be recognized in the future. Because of this, you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any vitamin product with amlodipine.

Amlodipine interactions with food

There were no reports of food interactions with amlodipine. If you’d like to learn more about eating certain foods during treatment with amlodipine, talk with your doctor.

Amlodipine and vaccines

There are no known interactions between amlodipine and vaccines. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to see whether you’re due for any vaccines.

Amlodipine and lab tests

Amlodipine is not known to interact with any lab tests. If you have concerns about this medication interacting with lab tests, talk with your doctor.

AMLODIPINE AND CANNABIS OR CBD

Cannabis (often called marijuana) and cannabis products, such as cannabidiol (CBD), have not been specifically reported to interact with amlodipine. However, as with any drug or supplement, talk with your doctor before using cannabis in combination with amlodipine. The impact of cannabis may affect how well you stick to your amlodipine treatment plan.

Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.

Amlodipine and health-related interactions

Certain medical conditions and other factors may increase the risk of interactions with amlodipine. Before you take this drug, be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history. Amlodipine may not be the right treatment option if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health.

Health conditions or factors that might interact with amlodipine include:

• Liver problems: If you have a liver problem, such as liver failure, talk with your doctor before taking amlodipine. Having a liver problem may increase your risk of side effects from the drug. To reduce this risk, your doctor will likely adjust your amlodipine dosage slowly over time.
• Heart problems: Before starting amlodipine treatment, talk with your doctor about any heart problems you have. Especially tell them if you have aortic stenosis or severe obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). Amlodipine is used for heart-related issues, including high blood pressure and CAD. However, having certain heart problems may increase your risk of low blood pressure, angina (chest pain), and heart attack. Your doctor can tell you whether amlodipine is a safe treatment option.
• Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to amlodipine or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe amlodipine. Taking the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for you.
• Breastfeeding: Amlodipine passes into breast milk. However, it is unknown what effects amlodipine may have on a child who is breastfed. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to, talk with your doctor before taking amlodipine. They can talk with you about treatment options and ways to feed your child.
• Pregnancy: There haven’t been enough clinical trials to determine whether amlodipine is safe to take while pregnant. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, tell your doctor before starting amlodipine. They can advise you on the right treatment plan for you.

FAQs about amlodipine and interactions

Here are some frequently asked questions about amlodipine and possible interactions.

Is there an interaction between bananas and amlodipine?

No, there are no reports of amlodipine interacting with bananas.

Amlodipine is prescribed for high blood pressure and coronary artery disease. Certain other drugs prescribed for the same uses may interact with bananas or other high-potassium foods. Examples include angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, such as lisinopril (Qbrelis, Zestril). However, amlodipine doesn’t have an interaction with these foods.

If you have other questions about amlodipine and foods, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Are there any amlodipine interactions with Tylenol?

There are no reports of amlodipine interacting with Tylenol (acetaminophen). You can take these medications together if your doctor recommends it.

Tylenol is used to ease fever, pain, and inflammation. Keep in mind that amlodipine may interact with other drugs used for these purposes, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). (See “Drug interactions in detail” for more information.)

If you have questions about taking amlodipine with Tylenol, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Preventing interactions

You can take certain steps to help prevent interactions with amlodipine. Your doctor and pharmacist are key resources, so reach out to them before starting treatment. For example, you should plan to do the following:

• Let them know if you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
• Tell them about any other medications you take, as well as any supplements, herbs, and vitamins.
• Create a medication list, which your doctor and pharmacist can help you fill out.

It’s also important to read the amlodipine label and other paperwork that may come with the drug. The label may have colored stickers that mention an interaction. And the paperwork, sometimes called the medication guide or patient package insert, may contain details about interactions.

If amlodipine doesn’t come with paperwork, you can ask your pharmacist to print a copy. If you need help reading or understanding this information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

You can also help prevent interactions with amlodipine by taking it exactly as your doctor prescribes.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.