AboutDr Alan Galbraith Expertise I can answer most questions on drugs, both medical and "recreational". Answers can be given in either technical or layperson terminology. My main areas of interest are psychiatric, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular drugs.
Experience I have been a university lecturer/head of department for almost thirty years, but am now retired. My research interests were alcohol, smoking and cardiovascular disease.
Organizations Institute of Biology, London.
Publications Principal author of "Fundamentals of Pharmacology" 4th Edition published in November 2003 by Pearson Education, Australia.
Expert: Dr Alan Galbraith Date: 4/11/2008 Subject: does these medicines clash
Question I am a 64 yo male with controlled hypertension and diabetes. I have been taking Benicar hct and metorpolol. The Dr has put me on testosterone therapy due to low T levels. And also put me on Caduet. which has amlopidine and lipitor. I have been on these medicines for overa month and the only thing I have noticed is a very painful and swollen ankle. My question is does calcium channel blockers interfere with positive results from testosterone therapy and could amlodipine be the cause of my swollen ankles? I reside in the USA -Maryland
Answer Dear Sandy
Amlodipine is certainly sometimes (not unfrequently) associated with swollen ankles although this is not usually associated with pain. Amlodipine should not interfere with testosterone analyses. It is poosible too that the pain could be related to your diabetes but I am not an expert in that area. Seek advice from your prescriber who may want to change the amlodipine with another class of antihypertensive. I will add that metoprolol has been associated (rarely) with joint pain.
