Amlodipine
Generic name: amlodipine [ am-LOE-di-peen ]
Brand names: KaterziaNorliqvaNorvascSdamlo
Dosage forms: oral tablet 5 mg10mg2.5 mgoral liquid 1 mg/mLoral suspension 1 mg/mLpowder for oral solution (2.5 mg5 mg10 mg)
Drug class: Calcium channel blockers
What is amlodipine?
Amlodipine besylate belongs to a class of medications called calcium channel blockers. It lowers blood pressure by relaxing the blood vesselsso the heart does not have to pump as hard.
Amlodipine is used to treat certain types of angina (chest pain) and other conditions caused by coronary artery disease (narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart).
Amlodipine besylate controls chest pain by increasing the supply of blood to the heart. If taken regularlythis medicine controls chest painbut it does not stop chest pain once it starts. Your doctor may prescribe a different medication to take when you have chest pain.
Amlodipine is also used alone or in combination with other medicines to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults and children at least 6 years old. Lowering blood pressure may lower your risk of a stroke or heart attack.
Amlodipine besylate is available as:
- Amlodipine 5 mg tablets (Norvasc)
- Amlodipine 10 mg tablets (Norvasc)
- Amlodipine 2.5 mg tablets (Norvasc)
- Amlodipine 1 mg/mL solution (Norliqva)
- Amlodipine 1 mg/mL oral suspension (Katerzia)
- Amlodipine single-dose powder for oral solution (Sdamlo).
Amlodipine side effects
Common amlodipine side effects
The most common amlodipine side may include:
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dizzinessdrowsiness;
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swelling of your legs or ankles;
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pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
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muscle stiffness;
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uncontrolled muscle movements;
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feeling tired;
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stomach painnausea; or
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flushing (sudden warmthrednessor tingly feeling).
Amlodipine besylate may cause serious side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to amlodipine: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your facelipstongueor throat.
In rare caseswhen you first start taking this medicineyour chest pain may get worse or you could have a heart attack. Seek emergency medical attention or call your doctor right away if you have symptoms such as: chest pain or pressurepain spreading to your jaw or shouldernauseasweating.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
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worsening chest pain; or
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a light-headed feelinglike you might pass out.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Warnings
Before taking amlodipine besylatetell your doctor if you have congestive heart failure or liver disease.
Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects of amlodipine.
If you are being treated for high blood pressurekeep using amlodipine even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
Amlodipine is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include dietexerciseweight controland other medications. Follow your dietmedicationand exercise routines very closely.
Tell your doctor about all other heart or blood pressure medications you are taking.
Your chest pain may become worse when you first start taking amlodipine or when your dose is increased. Call your doctor if your chest pain is severe or ongoing.
Before taking this medicine
You should not take amlodipine if you are allergic to it.
To make sure this medicine is safe for youtell your doctor if you have ever had:
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severe narrowing of a certain valve in your heart (aortic stenosis)or other heart problems;
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coronary artery disease (clogged arteries); or
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liver disease.
It is not known if amlodipine will harm an unborn baby. Howeverhaving high blood pressure during pregnancy may cause complications or medical problems in both mother and baby. The benefit of treating hypertension may outweigh any risks to the baby.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
How should I take amlodipine?
Take amlodipine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.
Amlodipine is usually taken once per day.
Take the medicine at the same time each daywith or without food.
Shake the oral suspension (liquid). Measure a dose with the supplied measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).
Amlodipine for oral solution (Sdamlo) comes as a powder that you must mix with water to make a liquid (solution) before taking or giving it. Throw away Sdamlo if you do not take or give it within 60 minutes of mixing and get a new bottle. Do not store mixed Sdamlo.
Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.
If you have high blood pressurekeep using amlodipine even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.
Do not change your doses or stop taking any of your medications without your doctor's advice.
Your treatment may also include dietexerciseweight controland blood tests.
Store amlodipine tablets and oral solution (liquid) at room temperature away from moistureheatand light.
Store amlodipine oral suspension in the refrigerator; do not freeze.
Amlodipine Dosing Information
Usual Amlodipine Adult Dose for Hypertension:
Initial dose: 5 mg orally once a day
Maintenance dose: 5 to 10 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 10 mg/day
Comments: Patients who are small or fragile may be started on 2.5 mg orally once a day.
Usual Adult Dose for Angina Pectoris:
Maintenance dose: 5 to 10 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 10 mg/day
Usual Adult Dose for Coronary Artery Disease:
Maintenance dose: 5 to 10 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 10 mg/day
Usual Geriatric Dose for Hypertension:
Initial dose: 2.5 mg orally once a day
Maintenance dose: 2.5 to 10 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 10 mg/day.
Usual Geriatric Dose for Angina Pectoris:
Initial dose: 5 mg orally once a day
Maintenance dose: 5 to 10 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 10 mg/day..
Uses: Alone or in combination with other antianginal agents for the symptomatic treatment of chronic stable angina
-Alone or in combination with other antianginal agents for the treatment of confirmed/suspected vasospastic angina
-To reduce the risk of hospitalization for angina and to reduce the risk of a coronary revascularization procedure in patients with recently documented CAD by angiography and without heart failure or an ejection fraction less than 40%
Usual Pediatric Dose for Hypertension:
6 to 17 years:
-Maintenance dose: 2.5 to 5 mg orally once a day
-Maximum dose: 5 mg/day
Comments: Doses higher than 5 mg have not been studied in pediatric patients.
The dosage should be adjusted according to patient response. In generaltitration should proceed over 7 to 14 days. If clinically warrantedtitration may proceed more rapidlyprovided the patient is assessed frequently.
Use: Alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents to treat hypertension
Related/similar drugs
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the medicine as soon as you canbut skip the missed dose if you are more than 12 hours late for the dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include rapid heartbeatsredness or warmth in your arms or legsor fainting.
What should I avoid while taking amlodipine?
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying positionor you may feel dizzy.
What other drugs will affect amlodipine?
Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you usewhich may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective.
Other drugs may interact with amlodipineincluding prescription and over-the-counter medicinesvitaminsand herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.
Popular FAQ
What is the best time of day to take blood pressure medication?
Research has suggested that taking your blood pressure medication at night instead of in the morning can provide better blood pressure control at night without compromising daytime blood pressure control and reduce your overall risk of dying because of cardiovascular disease by 45%. Continue reading
How long does it take for amlodipine to work?
Amlodipine decreases blood pressure over 4 to 8 hours after a single dose. Because the decrease in blood pressure is graduala patient's heart rate is not affected because their physiological reflexes (such as an increase in heart rate) are not activated.
Continue readingHow do I reduce swelling from amlodipine?
Swelling from amlodipine is a commonbut often troublesome side effect of amlodipine with 5% to 9% of people stopping amlodipine because of it. If you develop swelling with amlodipinetell your doctor right away because they may be able to change your blood pressure medications slightly to help reduce the swelling. Swelling caused by amlodipine does not usually respond to treatment with diuretics (such as furosemide) because it is caused by changes in capillary pressure that result in leakage into the spaces between capillaries (called the interstitial area) rather than water retention. Continue reading
Best time to take amlodipine - day or night?
You can take amlodipine in the morning or at nightwhichever works best for your schedule. The key is to take it at the same time each day to maintain consistent blood levels and support its effectiveness.
Continue readingHow long does amlodipine stay in your system?
Amlodipine can stay in your system for up to 11.5 days after your last dose. This is because it has a long elimination half-life of 30 to 50 hoursmeaning it takes that long for your body to reduce the drug level by half.
Continue readingDoes amlodipine cause weight gain?
Weight gain has been reported by some people taking amlodipine but this is not a common side effect and some people have also reported weight loss. Weight gain with amlodipine may also be a symptom of edemawhich is when you retain fluidwhich may be particularly noticeable around your ankles or lower legs. The risk of edema is greater in women compared with men and in those people taking a higher dosage of amlodipineand edema is usually noticed as weight gain. Continue reading
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Rememberkeep this and all other medicines out of the reach of childrennever share your medicines with othersand use amlodipine only for the indication prescribed.
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
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