Blood Pressure Tablets – Watch Point
This article is taken from the Winter 2022 issue of LymphLine, the LSN’s quarterly newsletter available to all LSN members. For details of how to become a member, click here.
Our medical advisors recommend that a certain type of blood pressure tablet be discouraged for patients living with lymphoedema. The class of drug is a ‘calcium channel blocking’ agent and includes such drugs as Nifedipine, Amlodipine and Felodipine – in other words any heart or blood pressure drug ending in ‘…ine’.
It is estimated that up to 14% of patients taking these drugs develop swollen ankles and the mechanism is likely to be paralysis of lymphatic vessel pumping. Their use is therefore discouraged for anyone diagnosed with lymphoedema.
Anyone who is concerned about their use of these drugs should contact their GP but do not suddenly stop taking any medication without appropriate consultation.