Can I go out in the sun while taking amlodipine?

There is no indication in manufacturer prescribing information that amlodipine is unsafe to use in combination with sun exposure.¹

There are a small number of case reports of telangiectasia in people taking amlodipine after sun exposure.^2–6 The telangiectasia was distributed only on areas of the skin exposed to the sun and improved on discontinuation of treatment.  In some cases, the rash re-occurred when amlodipine was restarted.

Despite the lack of risk associated with the use of amlodipine specifically, the American Academy of Dermatology advises all people to use a generous application of SPF 30+ sunscreen to protect against UVA and UVB exposure when going out in the sun.⁷

^References

1. Norvasc [package insert]. Kirkland, Quebec: Pfizer Labs; 2016.
2. Bakkour W, Haylett AK, Gibbs NK, Chalmers RJG, Rhodes LE. Photodistributed telangiectasia induced by calcium channel blockers: case report and review of the literature. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed 2013; 29 (5): 272-275.
3. Basarab T, Yu R, Jones RR. Calcium antagonist-induced photo-exposed telangiectasia. Br J Dermatol 1997; 136 (6): 974-975.
4. Byun JW, Bang C Il, Yang BH, et al. Photodistributed telangiectasia induced by amlodipine. Ann Dermatol 2011; 23 Suppl 1 : S30-2.
5. Grabczynska SA, Cowley N. Amlodipine induced-photosensitivity presenting as telangiectasia. Br J Dermatol 2000; 142 (6): 1255-1256.
6. Rojas Mora E, Martinez Sanchez D, Hernandez-Nunez A, Borbujo Martinez J. Amlodipine-associated photodistributed telangiectasia. Actas Dermosifiliogr 2017; 108 (1): 76-77.
7. Vasicek BE, Szpunar SM, Manz-Dulac LA. Patient knowledge of sunscreen guidelines and frequency of physician counseling: a cross-sectional study. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol 2018; 11 (1): 35-40.