Based on NIH | Can amlodipine cause muscle pain, and what should I do if I experience this side effect?

Can amlodipine cause muscle pain?

Yes, amlodipine can be associated with muscle pain (myalgia), although this side effect appears to be uncommon. ^[1] Product information lists musculoskeletal side effects such as myalgia and muscle cramps among reported reactions to amlodipine. ^[1] Some amlodipine labels also note movement-related symptoms (for example, muscle rigidity or tremor), which are infrequent but documented. ^{[2] [3]}

Importantly, when amlodipine is combined in a single pill with atorvastatin (for blood pressure and cholesterol together), muscle pain can be a more serious concern because the statin component can cause muscle injury (myopathy) and, rarely, muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis). ^[4] People are advised to report unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if accompanied by fever or unusual tiredness, when taking the combination product. ^[4]

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How common is this side effect?

Overall, amlodipine is considered well tolerated; most differences in side effects versus placebo are driven by ankle swelling rather than muscle issues. ^[5] In clinical and post‑marketing experience, myalgia is reported but not among the most frequent amlodipine adverse effects. ^[1] The combination of amlodipine with statins introduces a clearer muscle risk because statins can cause myopathy and rare rhabdomyolysis; this risk increases with certain drug interactions and higher statin doses. ^[4]

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When to be concerned

• Mild, achy muscles without other symptoms can occur and may settle after a few days. ^[1]
• Red flags for possible muscle injury include diffuse muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if accompanied by fever, malaise, or dark urine; these warrant prompt medical evaluation. ^[4] Guidance for the amlodipine‑atorvastatin combination advises stopping the medication if markedly elevated creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels occur or myopathy is suspected. ^{[6] [7]}

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What to do if you experience muscle pain

1. Track your symptoms
   Note when the pain started, which muscles are affected, any weakness, and associated symptoms like fever or dark urine. ^[4]

2. Review your medications
   If you take a combined amlodipine‑atorvastatin tablet (often called “Caduet”), be especially cautious about muscle symptoms. ^[4] For this combination, report unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness right away. ^[4] If myopathy is suspected or CPK is markedly elevated, the combination therapy should be discontinued and evaluated by a clinician. ^{[6] [7]}

3. Contact your clinician

   • For mild myalgia on amlodipine alone, your clinician may consider dose adjustment, switching to another blood pressure class, or checking for other causes (exercise strain, electrolyte imbalance). ^[1]
   • For severe pain, weakness, fever, or dark urine, seek urgent care to check blood and urine tests (including CPK) to rule out muscle injury. ^{[4] [6]}

4. Avoid triggering interactions (if on a statin)
   The risk of statin‑related muscle problems rises with interacting drugs that raise statin levels (for example, some antibiotics or other agents affecting CYP3A4). ^[8] Clinicians may also choose different combinations or lower statin doses when calcium channel blockers or other interacting agents are necessary. ^[9]

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Special note on amlodipine plus statins

• The amlodipine‑atorvastatin combination carries a clear, labeled warning to promptly report muscle symptoms and to stop therapy if myopathy is suspected. ^{[6] [7]}
• Serious muscle injury is rare but possible with statin therapy, and vigilance is advised. ^[4] Case reports describe rhabdomyolysis when statins were used with amlodipine and another interacting drug, underscoring the importance of reviewing all medications. ^{[8] [10]}

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Practical tips to reduce risk

• Keep a current list of all medicines and supplements and share it with your clinician and pharmacist. ^[4]
• Report new or worsening muscle symptoms early, rather than waiting. ^[4]
• If you develop muscle symptoms on the amlodipine‑atorvastatin combination, your clinician may order CPK testing and consider pausing the statin component while assessing causes. ^{[6] [7]}

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Summary

Amlodipine can be linked to muscle pain, though it is not among its most common side effects. ^[1] More serious muscle problems are primarily a concern when amlodipine is taken together with a statin in a combination pill, where prompt reporting of muscle symptoms is recommended and discontinuation is advised if myopathy is suspected. ^{[4] [6]} If you experience muscle pain, monitor your symptoms, review your medications for potential interactions, and contact your clinician especially if you have weakness, fever, or dark urine. ^{[4] [8]}