Does Amlodipine Increase Cholesterol? Unraveling the Metabolic Effects

October 10, 2025 •

2 min read

Hypertension affects nearly half of adults in the United States, with millions prescribed medications to manage it. A common question for those taking blood pressure medication is, does amlodipine increase cholesterol levels, or does it have a neutral or even beneficial effect on a patient's lipid profile?

Quick Summary

Amlodipine is generally considered lipid-neutral, meaning it does not adversely affect cholesterol levels. Some studies suggest it may even offer slight improvements to the lipid profile, including reducing LDL and triglycerides.

Key Points

Neutral Lipid Effect: Amlodipine is considered lipid-neutral, meaning it generally does not negatively affect cholesterol or triglyceride levels.
Potential Benefits: Some studies, particularly in animal models, suggest amlodipine may slightly improve lipid profiles by reducing total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides.
Mechanism: As a calcium channel blocker, amlodipine works by relaxing blood vessels to lower blood pressure, and its mechanism is not linked to adverse changes in lipid metabolism.
Favorable Comparison: Unlike some older antihypertensives like certain diuretics and beta-blockers, amlodipine does not raise bad cholesterol or lower good cholesterol.
Suitable for Hyperlipidemia: Its neutral lipid profile makes amlodipine a suitable option for hypertensive patients who also have high cholesterol.
Combination Therapy: Amlodipine is often combined with statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs) in a single pill to treat both hypertension and high cholesterol simultaneously.
Lifestyle is Key: Managing cholesterol and blood pressure effectively always includes lifestyle changes like diet, exercise, and smoking cessation, in addition to medication.

Understanding Amlodipine and Its Primary Function

Amlodipine is a widely prescribed dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker (CCB) used to treat high blood pressure and certain types of chest pain. It works by relaxing blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure and eases the heart's workload. Amlodipine is one of the most prescribed medications for hypertension. Given that both high blood pressure and high cholesterol are significant risk factors for cardiovascular disease, the metabolic effects of antihypertensive drugs are of considerable interest.

Does Amlodipine Increase Cholesterol?

Research indicates that amlodipine is generally considered "lipid neutral," meaning it typically does not cause significant negative changes in cholesterol or triglyceride levels. A study on hypertensive patients treated with amlodipine monotherapy found no significant differences in total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C, or LDL-C after two months.

Potential for Favorable Lipid Effects

Some studies suggest amlodipine may offer a slightly beneficial effect on lipid profiles, unlike certain other antihypertensives such that can negatively impact lipids. Animal studies have shown amlodipine reducing total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides in rabbits on a high-cholesterol diet and improving the lipid profile in hypertensive rats. These potential benefits may be linked to amlodipine's antioxidant properties and its role in protecting LDL from oxidation.

Comparison with Other Antihypertensive Medications

The effect of blood pressure medications on cholesterol varies. Some older diuretics and beta-blockers can increase triglycerides and LDL cholesterol while decreasing HDL cholesterol. In contrast, ACE inhibitors and ARBs are generally lipid-neutral, similar to CCBs like amlodipine.


Medication Class	Typical Effect on Lipid Profile
Calcium Channel Blockers (e.g., Amlodipine)	Generally neutral; some studies suggest potential for slight improvement (lower LDL/triglycerides, higher HDL).
ACE Inhibitors & ARBs	Generally have little to no effect on cholesterol levels.
Thiazide Diuretics	May increase total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.
Beta-Blockers (older)	Can substantially increase triglycerides and lower HDL cholesterol.
Alpha-1 Antagonists	May lower total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides.

Managing Cholesterol While on Amlodipine

Because amlodipine does not negatively affect cholesterol, it's considered suitable for hypertensive patients with dyslipidemia. Often, patients require treatment for both high blood pressure and high cholesterol, leading to combination medications like amlodipine/atorvastatin. Lifestyle changes are also crucial for managing both conditions, including a healthy diet, exercise, weight management, and avoiding smoking.

Conclusion

Evidence indicates that amlodipine does not increase cholesterol levels and is considered a lipid-neutral medication. It is a safe option for patients with high blood pressure, including those with cholesterol concerns. Some research suggests a potentially favorable effect on the lipid profile. Patients should always consult their healthcare provider for personalized treatment plans.

For more information from an authoritative source, you can visit MedlinePlus.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, amlodipine is considered a lipid-neutral medication. Studies show it does not significantly increase total cholesterol, LDL ('bad') cholesterol, or triglycerides.

While its primary function is to lower blood pressure, some studies have shown that amlodipine can have a modest beneficial effect, such as lowering LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, particularly in experimental models.

Yes, some older blood pressure medications, specifically certain thiazide diuretics and non-selective beta-blockers, have been shown to raise triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels while lowering HDL ('good') cholesterol.

The most common side effects of amlodipine include swelling (edema), particularly in the ankles or legs, headache, dizziness, and flushing (a feeling of warmth).

Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker. It works by inhibiting the influx of calcium ions into vascular smooth muscle and cardiac muscle, which relaxes the blood vessels. This relaxation leads to a reduction in blood pressure.

Yes, it is common for patients to take a statin (like atorvastatin) with amlodipine. There are even single-pill combinations available that contain both medications to treat high blood pressure and high cholesterol together.

Yes, because amlodipine does not adversely affect lipid profiles, it is considered a suitable and safe choice for patients who need to manage hypertension while also having hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol).