Do you discontinue amlodipine or use an alternative approach to manage peripheral edema when it occurs as a side effect of the medication?

Peripheral edema is a common complaint and can be exacerbated by any vasodilator therapy, including hydralazine and minoxidil. My initial approach to swelling is to 1) make sure there is no proteinuria, which can be easily overlooked in a diabetic who infrequently sees doctors; 2) assess heart and l...

CCB edema (also hydralazine edema) are so underappreciated by non-nephrologists. Rarely does a clinic go by without me seeing some form of it. It is from vasodilation that allows gravity to increase capillary hydrostatic pressure, fluid moves out of vascular space to interstitial space and in that r...

In my experience, reducing the dose of amlodipine by 50% often helps, as do compression socks.

Common issue with HAM agents (hydralazine, amlodipine, minoxidil). Diuretics rarely help and, if anything, result in pre-renal azotemia. The options that may help include;

1. reduce the dose
2. take pill qhs
3. elevate feet qhs

In my practice, a lot of times this is a multifactorial problem which requires a holistic approach, including medication adjustment or discontinuation, but also encouraging lifestyle modification, e.g., regular physical activity, dietary changes, weight loss, addressing OSA, compression stockings, a...

Need a venodilator to decrease capillary hydrostatic pressure. Diuretics do not work. ACE inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers or nitrates accomplish this.

A very common problem amongst patients in need of antihypertensive treatment. Good discussion of several treatment options.