If someone is going to talk about the rarer side effects of ONE drug to promote ANOTHER then it is only fair to list the side efffects of the other as well:
For Norvasc:

an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

unusually fast or slow heartbeat;

chest pain;

severe dizziness or fainting;

psychosis;

jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

swelling of the legs or ankles.

And the less severe:

fatigue or tiredness;

headache;

insomnia;

vivid or abnormal dreams;

flushing;

abdominal pain;

nausea, diarrhea, or constipation; or

increased or difficult urination.

And from my own personal experience: EXTEREME nervousness.
AND that list is WITHOUT the mention of increased risk of heart attack as compared to other antihypertensive drug classes

We choose the drugs we choose because they work well with the fewest side effects and at a reasonable cost. For me Lasix passes these tests and Norvasc falls flat on its face as do the ARB's, and ACEI's but, as I have stated many times, I am in the minority: a salt sensitive hypertensive.
Others must "pick their poison" and wind their way through one poor choice after another to find what is best.

[QUOTE]Beth:
government's algorithm for the treatment of hypertension which advises doctors to prescribe their initial drug choices based on a patient's medical history and based on their stage of hypertension.
Yes, that's all well and good (and buried DEEP in recommendations that call for diuretics as THE first line of treatment) BUT in the REAL world, my doctor and I'm sure MANY doctors take a BP reading and prescribe NORVASC if the reading is high. In the waiting room, there are several boxes of tissues with NORVASC printed beautifully on all 6sides, all the pens and referral pads in the office say NORVASC, there is a magazine holder with NORVASC printed on the top, a clock that says NORVASC, NORVASC calendars (two??)and Norvasc brochure piles all over the place...even lovely Norvasc picture frame. I was surprised that each sheet of TOILET PAPER didn't say NORVASC on it. Yes there is almost ALWAYS a beautiful Norvasc representative wheeling her crate of samples in and BEGGING him to go to "lunch";) with her...but he's gay, :D:D and I guess Pfizer hasn't yet taken to hiring beautiful MEN to peddle samples, but they WILL !
(I once mentioned the "Norvasc waiting room" to my doctor...oh, did I get a dirty look; seems I hit a nerve! :D)

THAT'S the REAL world of doctors following guidelines for your 5 minute "in depth analysis of BP needs."

I DESPISE the way CERTAIN drugs are rammed down our throats with the complete complicity of doctors operating out of GREED rather than medical ethics and Pfizer's PUSHING of Norvasc is at the top of my list...and Lipitor is right up there too in SPITE of the fact that I think atorvastatin is a GOOD drug.

If ONLY doctors would prescribe based on what we need rather than what patent med they are told to peddle this year...If ONLY!