*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives.

About Amlodipine

NHS medicines information on amlodipine - what it's used for and key facts.

Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). If you have high blood pressure, taking amlodipine can help to prevent future heart disease, heart attacks and strokes.

It is also used to prevent chest pain caused by heart disease (angina).

Amlodipine helps high blood pressure by relaxing and widening blood vessels. This lowers your blood pressure and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body.

With angina, you usually get chest pain because the arteries going to the heart have become hardened and narrowed. Amlodipine helps by improving the blood and oxygen supply to your heart.

This medicine is only available on prescription. It comes as tablets or as a liquid you swallow.

Key facts

You'll usually take amlodipine once a day. You can take it at any time, but try to make sure it's around the same time each day.
Amlodipine can make some people feel dizzy. If this happens to you, do not drive a car, ride a bike, or use tools or machinery until you feel better.
The most common side effects include headaches, flushing, feeling tired and swollen ankles. These usually improve after a few days.
Amlodipine can also be called amlodipine besilate, amlodipine maleate or amlodipine mesilate. They have different ingredients but they all work as well as each other.
Having large amounts of grapefruit or grapefruit juice can increase the amount of amlodipine in your body and make side effects worse.

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
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