NutriStack
Amlodipine and L-Arginine, a caution.
L-Arginine is a nitric oxide precursor that lowers systolic and diastolic blood pressure by about 5/3 mmHg in meta-analysis. Combined with amlodipine's dihydropyridine vasodilation, the additive effect can produce symptomatic hypotension, dizziness, or reflex tachycardia, especially in patients already at goal blood pressure.
One pair, every claim cited. The two substances, the type, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
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At a glance
- Substances
- Amlodipine and L-Arginine
- Pair type
- Caution
- Evidence (highest tier)
- Moderate
- Source citations
- 2 sources
- Stack Score effect
- −5 to your Stack Score (per scored caution row).
- Scope
- Supplement × Prescription
- Last verified
- May 30, 2026
Caution · Moderate evidence
Caution
What is happening. L-Arginine is a nitric oxide precursor that lowers systolic and diastolic blood pressure by about 5/3 mmHg in meta-analysis. Combined with amlodipine's dihydropyridine vasodilation, the additive effect can produce symptomatic hypotension, dizziness, or reflex tachycardia, especially in patients already at goal blood pressure.
Mechanism. L-Arginine serves as substrate for endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS); the resulting NO increase causes vasodilation that adds to amlodipine's calcium channel blockade.
Recommendation. If you take amlodipine, start L-arginine at low doses (1-3 g/day) and monitor your blood pressure before and after starting. Reduce or stop if you develop dizziness, headache, or readings below your usual range, and inform your prescriber.
Sources (2)
- Dong JY, Qin LQ, Zhang Z, et al. Effect of oral L-arginine supplementation on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. Am Heart J. 2011;162(6):959-65. PMID 22137067
- Bailey DG, Malcolm J, Arnold O, Spence JD. Grapefruit juice-drug interactions. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 1998;46(2):101-10. PMID 9723817
Stack Score
How this pair moves the number.
Effect on the composite score
If both Amlodipine and L-Arginine are in the same stack, this pair applies −5 to your Stack Score (per scored caution row).
The full algorithm, the clamping rules, and four worked stacks are documented at /methodology/stack-score.
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