Based on FDA | Does drinking milk interfere with amlodipine or reduce its effectiveness?

You can take amlodipine with milk without reducing its effectiveness. Multiple official prescribing documents state that amlodipine can be taken once daily “with or without food,” and that its bioavailability (how much drug your body absorbs) is not affected by food. ^[1] These same instructions explicitly allow taking amlodipine with most drinks, and they do not list dairy as a concern. ^[2]

What the evidence shows

• Food does not change how much amlodipine your body absorbs. In human studies, the rate and extent of absorption were equivalent in fed versus fasting conditions. ^[3] The official product information also notes that amlodipine’s bioavailability remains stable regardless of food intake. ^[1]
• Amlodipine’s absorption is naturally slow and steady, reaching peak levels about 6–12 hours after a dose, which helps keep blood pressure control smooth across the day; this profile is consistent whether you take it with meals or not. ^{[1] [4]}

Milk and calcium concerns

• Unlike certain antibiotics or thyroid medicines that can bind to calcium in dairy and reduce absorption, amlodipine does not have a clinically meaningful interaction with dietary calcium from milk. Official labeling permits administration with food and drinks (and even specifies that common beverages, including grapefruit juice, do not meaningfully alter exposure), and it does not warn against milk or dairy. ^{[2] [5]}
• There is no evidence in clinical pharmacokinetic overviews that dairy reduces amlodipine’s absorption or blood levels in people. ^[6]

Practical guidance

• It’s reasonable to take amlodipine at the same time every day, with or without food, and you may take it with milk if that helps you remember your dose. ^[2]
• Consistency is more important than meal timing for this medication because its effectiveness is stable across fed and fasting states. ^{[1] [3]}

When to be cautious

• If you use antacids containing aluminum/magnesium or other medications, routine product information indicates no meaningful effect on amlodipine exposure; still, it’s wise to separate doses if you have stomach sensitivity. ^[5]
• People with significant liver impairment may have higher amlodipine levels due to slower metabolism; this is unrelated to milk, but your clinician may adjust dosing. ^[6]

Bottom line

• There is no evidence that drinking milk interferes with amlodipine or reduces its effectiveness, and official instructions allow taking it with or without food and with most drinks. ^{[1] [2]} Maintaining a regular daily dosing time is what matters most. ^[2]