Pharmacist of 35 years shares the one sentence everyone on amlodipine needs to memorise

Pharmacist of 35 years shares the one sentence everyone on amlodipine needs to memorise Amlodipine is used by millions of people to reduce the risk of heart attacks or strokes A pharmacist has shared a key question he wants everyone taking amlodipine to know. Raj Patel says that, as a pharmacist for 35 years, there are some key interactions he believes people need to be aware of. Posting on social media, the expert said it wasn't about "a giant leaflet list" but instead some important points that it was essential to be aware of. In his TikTok post, under the name Pharmacist Health Raj, he said: "For 35 years in the pharmacy game, these are the amlodipine interactions I want you to know. "Not a giant leaflet list. You need to know when to check before adding something new." He explains that there can be reactions or changes to how your medication works when mixing it with other drugs or supplements - even those that can appear innocent. He says: "Amlodipine can raise simvastatin levels, so your dose may need checking. So antibiotics, antifungals, HIV medicines, and St. John's Wort can also change how amlodipine works. Other blood pressure medicines and alcohol can lower your pressure further, making you dizzy or light-headed. "NHS advises to avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice because they may increase your chance of side effects. This doesn't mean these combinations are automatically dangerous. It means they need checking properly before you start taking anything new, even something herbal." Sentence to memorise The expert shared one key sentence to ask when looking at taking a new medication or supplement. He advises: "Say, 'I take amlodipine. Is this suitable with it?' That one sentence will prevent a lot of problems." Data shows millions of people regularly take medication for heart issues, including high blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart attacks and stroke, and also to prevent angina attacks. Amlodipine is one of the most frequently dispensed cardiovascular medications with more than 35million prescriptions issued through the NHS in the UK every year. But there are some essential things those using it need to be aware of - including the potential for it to be affected by other drugs or supplements. With millions of people taking supplements every year it is essential to know that if you do want to take something that you are certain it is safe to do so and won't affect your medication. Ensure our latest health news always appears at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings What to do if you wanting to take something new The pharmacist also advises what you should do when you ask your pharmacist or GP if a new medicine is suitable. He recommends: "Bring the names, strengths, and doses of everything you take, including medicines from other clinics, bought remedies, and supplements. "Show the actual packet or ingredients list. Include medicines you have recently stopped in any planned short course." He also answers the question of whether an interaction warning means people should stop a medicine. He explains: "No, a warning can mean that a dose or monitoring plan needs reviewing. "The combination may still be useful. Ask the pharmacist or prescriber to explain the plan for your treatment, rather than skipping doses because of a general warning."