Is there an alternative to Norvasc that will not cause swelling?
• Q: I was placed on Norvasc in addition to aspirin, Lopressor, Lipitor, Xanax, Spironolactone, Prevacid solutabs, and Lasix due to the fact that I had bypass at 47 years and have another 60%-70% blockage in a different artery. My feet and legs swell if I stand for longer than 15 minutes or if I walk too much. I have gained weight because walking was my exercise. Is there an alternative to Norvasc, since that’s what is causing the swelling? The artery in question goes into painful spasms if I reduce the dose from 5 mg to 2.5 mg. • A: Sorry to hear about all the swelling that you are experiencing. Norvasc does cause peripheral edema and is dose-dependent so with the 5 mg dose you will experience more swelling than on the 2.5 mg dose. Since you cannot decrease the dose without having painful spasms, possibly trying to increase the dose of the diuretics that you are on could help. Many patients also seem to like hydrochlorothiazide as a diuretic when they are having swelling from Norvasc.
