Pharmacist Sonja Keizers answers
Pharmacist Sonja Keizers answers questions about medicines. This time: when I go for a walk, it’s like I’m short of oxygen. I take the blood pressure lowering amlodipine and because of diabetes also metformin and glimepiride. Could I be light-headed from those drugs?
When I go for a walk, it’s like I’m short of oxygen. I take the blood pressure lowering amlodipine and because of diabetes also metformin and glimepiride. Could I be light-headed from those drugs?
Reply:
Yes, that’s possible. It is not immediately possible to say which drug causes this side effect. Amlodipine usually only causes some dizziness at the start of the treatment, if you are not yet used to a lower blood pressure. Light-headedness can also be the result of low blood sugar. In that case, the diabetes pills (especially glimepiride) may be the culprit. You will have to take the medicines you receive for a long time; therefore it is important that you feel comfortable with it. Right now they are working against you. They prevent a healthy lifestyle (with a lot of walking and cycling) that is so necessary for diabetes. Work with your doctor to find alternatives that work better for you. Change only one drug at a time so that you can properly assess the result.
Also send in your medicine question. That’s possible here.
Sources):
- Plus Magazine