What it is used for

High blood pressure
Preventing angina (chest pain caused by heart disease)

Read our guides:

Off-label uses

Doctors sometimes prescribe a medicine for a condition it is not officially licensed for. This is called off-label use. It is legal and common when there is good evidence it helps, and your doctor should explain why they are suggesting it.

Raynaud's phenomenon (cold, painful fingers and toes)

How it works

Amlodipine blocks calcium from entering the muscle cells in the walls of blood vessels. This relaxes and widens the blood vessels, so blood flows more easily and blood pressure falls.

Side effects

Like all medicines, Amlodipine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Many are mild and ease after the first few weeks.

Common side effects

swollen ankles
headache
flushing
feeling dizzy
feeling tired
palpitations

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if these bother you or do not go away.

Serious side effects

These are rare. Call 111 or contact your doctor straight away if you get:

chest pain that is new or worse
yellowing of the skin or eyes
severe stomach pain

Call 999 if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as swelling of your lips, mouth, throat or tongue, or trouble breathing.

You can report any side effect to the Yellow Card scheme, run by the medicines regulator.

Stopping and withdrawal

Important safety information

Avoid large amounts of grapefruit juice, which can increase its effects.
Swollen ankles are common. Tell your doctor if this bothers you.

Questions about your medicine?

A pharmacist can answer questions about your medicines for free, without an appointment. You can also ask your GP for a medication review. Check if you can get free prescriptions.