The health service has issued guidance for those on common meds.
Charlotte Smith and Ewan Mowat Deputy Lifestyle, Trends, & Showbiz Editor
16:23, 18 Dec 2025
The NHS has issued guidance for those on blood pressure medication(Image: Getty Images)
The NHS has issued crucial information for those prescribed some of the most common blood pressure meds. Amlodipine, ramipril and lisinopril are often used to help treat hypertension, also known as high blood pressure.
The condition is common throughout the UK, with around 30 per cent of adults suffering from it. Despite almost a third of people being impacted by hypertension, it is dubbed the ‘silent killer’ due to its usually symptomless nature.
The likelihood of developing high blood pressure rises considerably as people age, with the number of those with it surging to more than half of those aged over 60, The Mirror reports. The condition can trigger serious complications like heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure.
There are many methods used to treat the condition and, ultimately. lower blood pressure. Adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle is the main method; reducing salt and processed food intake, while eating more fruit and veg, especially those rich in potassium like leafy greens and bananas.
Getting moderate physical activity for at least 150 minutes every week is also recommended. Keeping your weight down and getting enough sleep are important, as is reducing the intake of alcohol and caffeine while staying away from smoking cigarettes.
Despite making lifestyle changes, some people require medication to keep their blood pressure down. Given the potential issues hypertension can cause, anyone on these tablets needs to ensure they take them properly and according to prescription guidelines.
There are common medications for hypertension but those taking them should follow the NHS guidance(Image: Yiu Yu Hoi/Getty Images)
One of the most common hypertension medications in the UK is ramipril. Ramipril, like lisinopril, is an ACE inhibitor and involves dilating blood vessels. It is the most prescribed hypertension drug, with roughly 34.8million issued last year.
Amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker that relaxes the arteries, is another prominent treatment, with over 30 million prescriptions each year. For those prescribed either category of blood pressure medicine, sticking to NHS guidance is crucial.
According to the health service’s website: “If you take other medicines that lower blood pressure, such as ramipril or lisinopril, at the same time as amlodipine, the combination can sometimes lower your blood pressure too much.
“When your blood pressure is low, you may experience dizziness or fainting. If this keeps happening to you, tell your doctor as your dose may need to be changed.”
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You’ll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here, select ‘Join Community’ and you’re in!
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘exit group’.
If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Symptoms of hypotension, low blood pressure, include bouts of dizziness or light-headedness, as well as blurred vision, fainting episodes, nausea, and weakness, particularly after standing up quickly.
Other signs may include mental confusion, clammy or pallid skin, rapid or shallow breathing, an accelerated heartbeat, and exhaustion.
If these symptoms occur regularly, having a blood pressure assessment is crucial. Certain medications may interfere with amlodipine’s effectiveness. Inform your doctor if you’re taking any of these medicines prior to commencing amlodipine:
antibiotics such as clarithromycin, erythromycin or rifampicincalcium channel blockers like diltiazem or verapamilitraconazole or ketoconazole, antifungal medicinesmedicines to treat HIV or HCV (hepatitis C virus)anti-epilepsy medicines such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital (phenobarbitone) or primidonemedicines to suppress your immune system, such as ciclosporin or tacrolimusmore than 20mg a day of the cholesterol-lowering medicine simvastatin
Ramipril, or lisinopril, can typically be prescribed alongside amlodipine, and they often are. However, combining these medications may increase the likelihood of hypotension, so your GP must keep a close eye on your condition, particularly during the early stages.
ACE inhibitors, including ramipril and lisinopril, and calcium channel blockers, such as amlodipine, both work to lower blood pressure in their own ways. This means they can be combined to a beneficial effect but also necessitates proper medical supervision.
The NHS has additionally issued advice regarding the use of herbal treatments or dietary supplements. It states: “St John’s wort, a herbal remedy taken for depression, is thought to affect the way amlodipine works. Talk to your doctor if you’re thinking about taking St John’s wort.
“There’s not enough information to say that other herbal remedies or supplements are safe to take with amlodipine. They’re not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines.
“They’re generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you’re taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.”