Norvasc BP Medication

[dirtybuck]

Is anyone taking this medication now or in the past? My sXX drive has diminished with my being on Atenolol (and Lamictal-mood stabilizer and Pristiq-antidepressant), so my Dr. seems to think that taking me off the Atenolol might help matters a bit (I was on 50 mgs.) As far as keeping my blood pressure and pulse rate down, it was excellent!

I know that all medications affect every one in different ways, but I've been reading some odd (if not scary) stuff about Norvasc from consumers who have taken it. How long do I have to wait until it builds up in my system?

Any feedback or comments are appreciated.

 

[whirlcool]

I have seen Norvasc used in people who have high blood pressure. The biggest side effect is edema in the lower legs. I have a relative on it, and that's the only side effect he has. They eventually substituted Metaprolol for the Norvasc.

 

[petek]

Wellbutrin and Wellbutrin XL for depression has a sometimes side-effect for many people of actually increasing ones libido whereas other anti depressents more often decrease it.
It is also marketed as Zyban for quitting smoking but is the same drug. Hmmmm maybe that's why it was so easy for me to quit smoking, I was having too much trouble doing 2 things at once LOL

 

[passatdoc]

I'll chime in here, as an internist. Norvasc/amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker. Quite effective for BP. It is not a beta blocker, thus not in the same family as atenolol or metoprolol, which ARE beta blockers. As whirlcool correctly pointed out, the most common side effect is sodium/water retention, which manifests itself as edema. Usually not problematic at 5 mg/day. At 10 mg/day, edema is more common. Edema can be minimized by restricting salt intake.

Amlodipine was less commonly used before it went generic, due to cost of $2-3 per tablet. Now it's very inexpensive, so it is enjoying greater use. In some cases, it is NOT the first agent of choice, particularly for diabetics or patient with congestive failure, for whom angiotensive converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers are the agent of first choice, due to their beneficial cardiac and renal effects. Unlike beta-blockers, which can have adverse central nervous system effects (fatigue, issues with libido, etc.), amlodipine users generally do not experience similar side effects.

 

[passatdoc]

ps

Agree with Petek: virtually all of the commonly used antidepressants can have adverse effects on libido. There is no way to prove that atenolol was the culprit without swapping it out with another agent (e.g., amlodipine) to note any difference.

 

[supersuds]

I've been on generic Norvasc (5mg) since last fall -- had problems with lisinopril. The Norvasc took about a month or even more to work. At first, I was thinking it was having no effect at all.

I did indeed have problems with swelling in the ankles and feet, so my doctor added 12.5 mg HCTZ. This combo is working like a charm, and they are both extremely cheap.

 

[spiceman1957]

Dirtybuck

You should talk to you doctor about this side effect. There are other anti-hypertensive medications out there as well. How long have you been on Lamictal and Pristiq? If you have just started on these medications, it may take a while before the side effects dissipates or have the doctor to do a dosage adjustment. And while you are at it, ask you doctor to check your testosterone level too. That may be screwing up your sex drive. If it is very low, he can give you a Rx for AndroGel (testosterone supplement).
John

 

[dirtybuck]

It's NOT for Me!

I went to the Dr. today, and requested to be taken OFF this crap medication. My bp has been running a bit on the high side since I started taking it. When the nurse checked my weight and vitals, I was 5 lbs. HEAVIER (within a week's time), and my blood pressure was 151/94. It was NEVER that high while taking Atenolol. I've also had a bit of a headache the last couple of days (not excruciating pain, but just enough to know it's there)

Spiceman...I had blood drawn last week and one of the things they checked for was testosterone. My reading came back at 308 (range is 240-950), so I wonder if I'll be taking any sort of testosterone supplement. I guess I'll find out on Thursday night.