Taking Vitamin K2 With Amlodipine

In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not vitamin K2 can be safely be taken with amlodipine.

Apr 12, 2018

xterminator asked

Can Vitamin K2 be taken safely while on Amlodipine?

Answer

Yes, vitamin K2 can safely be taken while on amlodipine. There is no interaction between the two.

Amlodipine belongs to a drug class called “dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers.” It causes vasodilation meaning it expands your blood vessels and decreases blood pressure. It is used in the treatment of coronary artery diseases and hypertension.

Vitamin K2 is a form of vitamin K produced by the normal bacteria that live in your digestive tract called “gut microflora.” Our bodies need vitamin K to make certain proteins that are involved in blood clotting and for controlling how calcium binds in bones and other tissues.

Vitamin K2 is specifically being studied for its possible use for bone strength and arterial health, but there is not enough evidence yet to determine if it is effective.

Drug interactions can happen when your body uses the liver to metabolize the drugs. Different liver enzymes help to break down the drugs into their active components and some drugs can affect these enzymes, altering how another drug is metabolized.

Amlodipine is an example of a drug that is metabolized in the liver, however, vitamin K2 is not. Vitamin K2 is formed in the stomach either from gut microflora or from dietary vitamin K after it is broken down into vitamin K1 and converted into vitamin K2.

Summary
  • Vitamin K2 can safely be taken with amlodipine.
  • They do not interact with each other in how they are broken down in your body or how they affect your body. 

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