Norvasc side effets

[Poppie]

I have been on Norvasc for many months and it has been effective in controlling my BP.  Several months ago I noticed two problems becoming more and more apparent:
1. When I go to bed my nose stops up and I find it difficult to breathe most of the night while lying down.
2. I am becoming impotent with erection dysfunction.
Can these be caused by Norvasc?  If so, is there another BP medication that will be effective without these side effects?
Thank you for your help.
Harold Crosby

[CCF-M.D.-CRC]

Dear poppie,
These are not typical side-effects for Norvasc which is a calcium channel blocker.  The most common side effect is swelling in the feet in about 10% of people taking the drug.  Impotence is listed as a possible side-effect in <1% of people and nasal stuffiness is not listed.

[mattman]

I have found that diovan (160mg) is very effective in controlling my blood pressure with very little side effects.

[WJS]

There are at least 60 BP meds.  If you suspect that you have symptoms from the Norvasc, I suggest that you ask for something else.

The two major current classes of BP meds are Calcium Channel Blockers, of which Norvasc may be the leading one, and ACE inhibitors.

My doctor first put me on Norvasc.  The only side effect that I noticed was that it made me a little more tired on the onset.

I had researched ACE inhibitors and came to the belief that I should be on one.  I first tried an older one, Accupril, and it didn't work very well for me and also caused side effects.

Next I tried Altace which has been great for me.  Now I take a low dose of Norvasc + Altace twice per day and that seems to work well with no side effects that I notice.

One nice side effect of the Altace is that it eliminated occasional PACs or PVCs that I had experienced.

I would stay away from Beta Blockers and some of the older diuretics, if you don't have a good reason to be on them.

Sometimes it takes some experimentation and perserverance to come up with the right solution, but the key is not to give up - BP control is essential.

[Gentle]

I guess you might say I am a no-drugs addict. The only one I am graciously accepting is Sotalol (beta Pace) just the day the above question was written my Cardiologist recommended I also try Novasc. Never heard of it before so your comments were helpful and possibly reassuring.  It is always the side effects that cause me to stop and ponder.  thanks so much.

[Deborah]

I have been on Norvasc only a short time, but love the results.  I have microvascular spasms, PATs, and PVCs.  This is the first time in a very long time that I have not felt an "elephant on my chest!"  I guess I'm lucky because I have had no side effects, not even swelling in my ankles.  The combination of Norvasc, Atenolol, and Isosorbide are controlling all my problems.  The only effect I have is that my BP stays around 95/63.  I'm still getting use to it, but thanks goodness for Norvasc and the doctor who prescribed it in combination with the others!