People who take the common medication need to avoid one particular food item
The NHS has a word of warning on its website for anyone taking a common medication for high blood pressure. Otherwise known as hypertension, the medical condition impacts around one in three adults in the UK, and many might not even realise they have it.
Since high blood pressure raises the chances of having a stroke, developing heart disease, or facing kidney issues, it’s really important to treat it early. This is where antihypertensive medications come into play. As of 2025, amlodipine (a calcium channel blocker) and ramipril (an ACE inhibitor) are among the most frequently prescribed drugs in the UK.
Amlodipine alone accounts for more than 30 million prescriptions each year. These medications are often taken for a long time or even a lifetime, and are usually prescribed if a patient is not able to lower their blood pressure naturally through a healthy diet and lifestyle, or if the medication is required due to genetic factors.
Taking amlodipine can help to prevent future heart disease, heart attacks and strokes. It’s also used to help with chest pain from heart disease (angina). Amlodipine works on high blood pressure by relaxing and widening your blood vessels. This reduces your blood pressure and makes it easier for your heart to circulate blood throughout your body.
When you have angina, you typically experience chest pain because the arteries leading to your heart have become stiff and narrow. Amlodipine assists by enhancing the blood and oxygen flow to your heart. You can only get this medicine with a prescription. It comes in tablet form or as a liquid that you swallow.
How to take amlodipine
According to the NHS, amlodipine is typically taken once daily. You can choose any time of day for this, but it’s best to stick to the same time each day. Amlodipine tablets and liquid can be taken with or without food.
Make sure to swallow the tablets whole and have a glass of water with both the tablets and the liquid. If you find it easier, you can dissolve the tablets in a glass of water, but be sure to drink it all right away if you do that.
What does the NHS warn users of?
When taking the medication, people should avoid one drink. A statement on the NHS website says: “Do not take amlodipine with grapefruit juice. Having large amounts of grapefruit or grapefruit juice can increase how much amlodipine is in your body and make side effects worse. If you are affected, you may have to avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking amlodipine.”
“Having large amounts of grapefruit or grapefruit juice can increase the concentration of amlodipine in your body and make side effects worse. If you are affected, you may have to avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking amlodipine.
“Tell your doctor if you have any increased side effects, such as feeling dizzy, flushing or getting headaches, after eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice. Otherwise, you can eat and drink normally while taking amlodipine.”
Why can grapefruit and its juice be a problem?
You shouldn’t mix amlodipine with grapefruit. Grapefruit contains substances that block the CYP3A4 enzyme in your liver and intestines. This enzyme helps break down amlodipine.
If the medication is not broken down properly and the CYP3A4 enzyme is blocked, it means more amlodipine will stay in your system instead of being processed. This can cause higher amounts of amlodipine in your blood, boosting its effects and raising the chances of serious side effects like dangerously low blood pressure, dizziness, and fainting.
If you’re on amlodipine, avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice. Don’t hesitate to chat with your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about how food or drinks might interact with your medication.
Grapefruits are the main fruit to steer clear of while on Amlodipine, which includes red, pink, white, and Blanco types. Seville oranges (commonly found in orange marmalade), pomelos, and tangelos (a hybrid of tangerines and grapefruits) might produce similar effects, so it’s advisable to avoid these fruits when using amlodipine.
How long should you take amlodipine for?
The NHS says: “Usually, treatment with amlodipine is long-term, even for the rest of your life. Talk to your doctor if you want to stop taking amlodipine. Stopping may cause your blood pressure to rise, and this may increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.”
If you’re bothered by side effects, your doctor may be able to prescribe a different medicine. In an important note to patients, the health service adds: “Take amlodipine even if you feel well, as you’ll still be getting the benefits of the medicine.”
What are the side effects of amlodipine?
These common side effects of amlodipine happen in more than 1 in 100 people. They’re usually mild and only last for a short time. There are things you can do to help cope with them.
Headaches
Rest and drink plenty of fluids. Avoid drinking too much alcohol. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller. Headaches should usually go away after the first week of taking amlodipine. Talk to your doctor if they last longer than a week or are severe.
Feeling dizzy
If amlodipine makes you feel dizzy, stop what you’re doing and sit or lie down until you feel better. Do not drive, ride a bike or operate tools or machinery until the dizziness passes.
Flushing
Try cutting down on coffee, tea and alcohol. It might also help to keep the room cool and use a fan. You could also spray your face with cool water or sip cold or iced drinks. This side effect should go away after a few days. If it does not go away or is causing you problems, contact your doctor.
A pounding heartbeat
If this happens regularly after you take your medicine, try to take amlodipine when you can sit down (or lie down) when the symptoms are at their worst. It may help to cut down on alcohol, smoking, caffeine, and big meals, as these may make the problem worse. Speak to your doctor if you have a history of heart disease and the palpitations last a long time, get worse, or do not improve, or if you are worried.
Swollen ankles
Raise your legs when you’re sitting down. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and the side effects bother you or last for more than a few days.
How to improve your heart’s health?
You can boost the health of your heart by making some key lifestyle changes. These will also help if you have high blood pressure or angina:
- Quit smoking
- Cut down on alcohol
- Exercise
- Eat well
- Deal with stress
If you have heart failure, it’s recommended that you have the flu vaccine every year and the pneumococcal vaccine as recommended by your GP. Ask your doctor about these vaccinations. You can have them for free on the NHS.
COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for most people. Make sure you’ve had all the doses you are eligible for. Talk to your doctor if you think you might be in one of the at-risk groups.