Can Calcium Tablets Be Taken With Amlodipine Besylate?

Calcium tablets cannot be taken with amlodipine besylate, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The two medications will interfere with each other and alter each other's potency. There may be situations where the two should be taken together; however, this should only be done under the care of a physician.

Amlodipine Besylate

Amlodipine besylate is a type of drug that acts as a calcium channel blocker, blocking calcium from entering the cells of your heart and walls of your blood vessels. This reduces your overall blood pressure by allowing these cells to expand. The expansion allows blood to flow more freely in your circulatory system against less pressure. Calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine besylate are often used to treat conditions including high blood pressure, chest pain and migraines.

Calcium Tablets

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Supplementation with calcium is usually recommended for the elderly who are at risk for osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition of reduced bone mineral density that makes bones more prone to breaking. Unfortunately, the same people who might require calcium supplementation may also need to take amlodipine desylate. This makes it vital for doctors and pharmacists to be made aware of other medications you are taking to avoid potentially fatal drug interactions.

Interaction

While amlodipine desylate blocks calcium, calcium tablets increase the amount of calcium present in the body. The intake of the supplemental calcium from the tablets will reduce the effectiveness of the channel-blocking amlodipine besylate because your overall circulating calcium will be higher. This can cause calcium to be channeled incorrectly, which can reduce your overall blood pressure dramatically. Reduced blood pressure, or hypotension, will cause you to feel light headed and can cause you to faint.

Considerations

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Medical consultation for both amlodipine desylate and calcium tablets is crucial for analyzing the risks and benefits of using the two drugs. If you have a prescription for both, contact your doctor immediately before taking your next dose because of the interaction between the two drugs. There are many other medications your doctor can utilize for lowering blood pressure and other methods your doctor can recommend for improving bone density. Analyzing your current health will allow the doctor to determine which treatment options are best for you.