Amlodipine interactions: Medications, alcohol, and other factors

Common drug interactions with amlodipine  

Before you start taking amlodipine, tell your doctor about all the prescription, over-the-counter (OTC), and other medications you take. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions.

Here’s a table of drugs that can interact with amlodipine oral tablet:

Note: This table does not include all drugs that may interact with amlodipine. For questions about interactions between amlodipine oral tablet and drugs not listed here, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Here’s a closer look at certain common amlodipine drug interactions:

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 constricted blood vessels, which could affect how well amlodipine manages 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.

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 statin-related muscle side effects. These can include muscle weakness and rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown).

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

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

Steps you or your doctor may take: Before taking amlodipine, tell your doctor about any statin drugs you take. 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.

Can you drink alcohol while taking amlodipine?

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.

Amlodipine interactions with supplements, herbs, and food

Here is a summary of the potential for supplements, foods, vaccines, or lab tests to interact with amlodipine:

Amlodipine and supplements

Amlodipine may interact with fish oil supplements, potentially lowering blood pressure 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 result in lower amlodipine levels 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 for other uses

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

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 while taking 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 are due for any vaccines and whether there is any concern about getting them while taking amlodipine.

Amlodipine and lab tests

Amlodipine is not known to interact with any lab tests. If you have concerns about amlodipine affecting certain 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.

When to avoid amlodipine (contraindications)

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.

Health conditions that may affect how amlodipine works

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
• heart problems
• previous allergic reaction to amlodipine
• pregnancy or breastfeeding

If any of these apply to you, discuss them with your doctor before taking amlodipine.

Common questions about amlodipine interactions

Tips for preventing harmful amlodipine 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 prescription drug labeling 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 pharmacist.

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

Summary: Amlodipine interactions and safety at a glance

Amlodipine is a generic medication prescribed for high blood pressure, but it can react with other things you put in your body. When an interaction occurs, the medication might not work properly, or it could cause unwanted side effects.

Key things to watch out for:

• Pain relievers: Common over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) can make amlodipine less effective at properly lowering your blood pressure.
• Alcohol: Drinking alcohol won’t usually stop amlodipine from working, but it can make you feel more dizzy, sleepy, or sick to your stomach.
• Cholesterol drugs: Taking amlodipine with certain statin drugs (like simvastatin) can increase the risk of muscle pain.
• Supplements: Herbs like St. John’s wort can reduce amlodipine levels in your system, making it less effective.

Important: Always give your doctor a full list of all medications, vitamins, and herbs you take before starting amlodipine to make sure your treatment is safe.