Does Amlodipine Cause Weight Gain

Have you been asking this to yourself after noticing some changes in weight after starting Amlodipine? It is normal to wonder if medication is the cause of the weight gain. Many people (not just those who are on blood pressure medication) experience weight gain and/or puffiness in the feet or ankles.

Amlodipine is not a medication that usually leads to weight gain. A person may feel puffy and heavier if they are retaining excess fluid, and this retention may cause a temporary weight increase. If you are in this situation, it may be helpful to be aware of the difference between fat gain and water weight in order to know if a doctor’s visit is necessary.

What Is Amlodipine?

Amlodipine is in a class of medications called calcium channel blockers, and it is a prescription for hypertension or angina. When taking Amlodipine, blood vessels calm and blood pressure is decreased. Less pressure means that the heart does not have to work as hard.

Amlodipine is a very popular medication because it is effective and it has a reputation of being a safe medication to take. It also decreases the risk of the very serious condition that high blood pressure can lead to, which is a heart attack or stroke.

The side effects of Amlodipine are manageable and mild most of the time.

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Is There Amlodipine Associated Weight Gain?

There are many users querying if amlodipine induces weight gain. The general response is no.

There is no evidence to support Amlodipine has any impact on body fat or metabolism. Clinical studies are inconclusive on the topic.

However, there are many case studies that document some patients noting an increase in weight after the start of treatment.

More than likely, this does not mean there is a gain in fat, but more likely that the medication causes the body to retain more fluid.

In the case of Amlodipine fluid retention, weight gain is typically transient, and may accompany the swelling of the lower legs, ankles or feet. It may be the case that your shoes feel tighter or that your socks leave a mark on your leg, Amlodipine and fluid retention may be the reason.

How is Amlodipine Treatment Related Weight Gain?

While fat retention is not a side effect of Amlodipine treatment, there are multiple reasons that could attribute to incidental weight gain in the patient.

Most commonly, the reason is fluid retention. Because Amlodipine relaxes the blood vessels, some fluid may leak to the surrounding tissues and this may cause swelling of the legs and feet.

There could also be a combination of sedentary lifestyle and eating habit changes that could be causing the incidental weight gain in the patient. Many patients begin receiving Amlodipine to treat heart related diseases. It is important to consider all of the other comorbid immunologic and chronic diseases in the patient.

Does Amlodipine Cause Weight Gain?

No. Amlodipine is not known to cause weight gain.

Amlodipine causes:

• Swelling of ankles or feet
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Flushing
• Fatigue
• Mild palpitations

Fluid retention is often the first concern when patients report weight gain. Retaining water is often more serious than the medications themselves.

If you have a gradual increase in weight over months, and your body is not retaining fluid, the cause may be your other medications, your diet, and how much you exercise.

How Much Weight Gain Is Too Much?

It is not uncommon for a person’s weight to fluctuate 1 to 3 pounds over a couple of days or be affected by how much water is consumed, meals had, and exercise done.

If you have a sudden gain of more than a couple pounds, or 5 pounds in a week, it is recommended to contact your healthcare provider. This is especially true if you are also short of breath or swelling.

It is a good idea to pay attention to your weight to track any unusual sudden changes. Frequent weight changes may also be a sign of fluid retention or another condition that also warrants an evaluation.

Does Amlodipine Cause Water Retention And Swelling?

The answer is yes. One side effect of taking amlodipine is swelling, which is also known as peripheral edema.

Swelling related to amlodipine usage is most likely to impact your:

• Ankles
• Feet
• Lower legs

Swelling related to the use of amlodipine generally gets worse the longer you remain standing or sitting. Swelling will also improve if you elevate your legs.

Swelling also means that your body is retaining water, which means that you might see an increase in your weight, but there will be no gains in body fat.

If the swelling you have becomes severe, is painful, and swelling starts to rise above the knees, and you start to have trouble breathing, you will need to see a doctor as soon as possible.

Managing your weight while on amlodipine

You have the ability to start some habits that could positively impact your health, and also the side effect of weight gain due to water retention caused by amlodipine.

Eating a balanced diet with more vegetables and whole grains that incorporate lean proteins and healthy fats will also help the swelling if you reduce your intake of salt.

If you remain active by exercising to improve blood flow and maintaining a healthy heart, and you are drinking an adequate amount of water to help improve the body’s ability to maintain a healthy balance of water, then you could see some improvements in your health.

The last positive health habit to incorporate is elevating your legs periodically, especially if you are in a situation where you are standing or sitting for long periods of time.

The number one most important habit to follow is to continue taking your medications exactly as prescribed or instructed by your doctor.

When Talking to Your Doctor Is Needed

Most of the side effects from amlodipine are mild, however, some do require medical attention.

You should call your doctor if you experience the following:

• Unexplainable rapid weight gain
• Severe feet or leg swelling
• Swelling that progressively gets worse
• Difficulty with breathing
• Chest pain
• Dizziness and fainting that persists
• New or abnormal symptoms that appear after amlodipine is first taken

Your doctor will probably do an exam, may change your blood pressure medication, may change your dosage, or may recommend changes to your lifestyle.

Amlodipine should never be stopped without medical supervision. Stopping amlodipine suddenly will cause blood pressure to get even higher and cause a higher risk for serious cardiovascular concerns.

Is Changing to a Different Blood Pressure Medication Allowed?

Yes, if the side effects become too much to handle, your doctor may change your blood pressure medication to a different one.

There are many different classes of blood pressure medications, including:

• ACE inhibitors
• Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)
• Beta-blockers
• Diuretics
• Other medications that are calcium channel blockers

The best choice really depends on your other health conditions, and particularly your kidney function, and your age.

Your doctor will do a risk/benefit assessment to determine if changing your medication really should be done.

Bottom Line

Amlodipine is a strong option for hypertension and heart disease and is not known to cause weight gain. People may reference “weight gain,” but with amlodipine it is not considered true weight gain, because it is commonly related to the swelling of tissue via water and not fat.

These symptoms are not to be considered mild and should not be ignored. Monitoring weight and having a healthy diet and lifestyle will help reduce concerns and possibly symptoms, while discussing these with your doctor will help reduce potentially unwanted effects of the treatment. You can more information to visit Powpil.com

In the perspective of most patients, the positive effects that stem from having blood pressure regulated with amlodipine, outweigh the negative effects of temporary water swelling and body weight changes that are also from water.

The best way to ensure that everything remains safe and healthy is consistent communication with the doctor and of course using amlodipine for hypertension.