Reviews (1650)Overview: Amlodipine is used to treat high blood pressure and certain types of chest pain and heart disease. The medicine helps to relax your blood vessels. Dizzinessswelling of your legs and anklesand tiredness are common side effects. Although this medicine can be used to treat certain types of chest painget emergency help if you have severe chest pain or chest pain that is different for youespecially if you also have sweatingsudden dizzinessor discomfort that spreads to your shoulderarmbackneckor jaw.
Uses
What is amlodipine used for?
Amlodipine is commonly used for the following conditions.
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Coronary artery diseasewhich is a type of heart disease
- Anginawhich is a type of chest pain
Amlodipine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.
How does amlodipine work (mechanism of action)?
Amlodipine relaxes your blood vessels so that blood can move through them more easily and your heart does not have to work as hard.
How is amlodipine supplied (dosage forms)?
Brands and other names
- Norvasc
Dosage forms and strengths
- 2.5 mg oral tablets
- 5 mg oral tablets
- 10 mg oral tablets
How should I store amlodipine?
Amlodipine should be stored at room temperaturebetween 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C)for shorter periods of timesuch as when transporting it. Store in a cooldry placein a tightly closed container. Protect from direct sunlight.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of amlodipine?
The most common side effects of amlodipine are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Stomach pain and nausea
- Tiredness and sleepiness
- Swelling of your legs and ankles (edema)
- Dizziness
- Hot or warm feeling in your face (flushing)
There may be other side effects of amlodipine that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S.you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canadayou can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of amlodipine?
While less commonthe most serious side effects of amlodipine are described belowalong with what to do if they happen.
Decreased Blood Pressure (Hypotension). Amlodipine may cause low blood pressureespecially if you have severe aortic stenosisa condition where one of your heart valves does not open or close all the way. If you feel faint or dizzylie down. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of low blood pressure.
- Dizzinessfeeling lightheadedor fainting
- Confusion
- Feeling weak or tired
Increased Angina or Heart attack. When you first start taking amlodipine or increase your doseyour chest pain (angina) may get worse or you may have a heart attack. This risk is higher if you have severe obstructive coronary artery diseasea condition where the blood vessels that deliver bloodoxygenand nutrients to your heart get blocked. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of a heart attack.
- Severe chest painwhich may feel like pressuretightnesssqueezing or aching
- Discomfort that spreads to the shoulderarmbackneckor jaw
- Cold sweat
- Unusual tiredness
- Heartburn or indigestion
- Lightheadedness or sudden dizziness
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use amlodipine?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use amlodipine products:
- Amlodipine
- Amlodipine benzoate
- Amlodipine besylate
- Norvasc
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific amlodipine products they stock.
What should I know about amlodipine before using it?
Do not take amlodipine unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.
Do not share amlodipine with other peopleeven if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.
Keep amlodipine out of the reach of children.
What should I tell my health care provider before using amlodipine?
Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicinesvitamins/mineralsherbal productsand other supplements you are using. This will help them know if amlodipine is right for you.
In particularmake sure that you discuss any of the following.
Current and Past Health Conditions
- Heart problems
- Liver problems
Other Medicines and Supplements. Amlodipine may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using amlodipinetell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicinesvitamins/mineralsherbal productsand other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section below for more details.
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how amlodipine could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are or plan to become pregnant.
Breastfeeding. Amlodipine passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Interactions
Does amlodipine interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between amlodipine and foods or drinks.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect amlodipine. The risk of dizzinesstirednessor sleepiness may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking amlodipine.
Does amlodipine interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicinesvitamins/mineralsherbal productsand other supplements you are using.
In particularmake sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using amlodipine.
- Diltiazem (Cardizem CD and others)which is a medicine used for high blood pressure and other conditions
- Simvastatin (FlolipidZocor)which is a medicine used to treat high cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease
- A phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitorsuch as avanafil (Stendra)sildenafil (RevatioViagraand others)tadalafil (Cialis and others)or vardenafil (LevitraStaxyn)which is a medicine used for erectile dysfunction or pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
- Cyclosporine (GengrafNeoralSandimmuneand others) or tacrolimus (AstagrafPrografand others)which is a medicine used to suppress your immune system
Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of amlodipineand vice versa. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with amlodipine. Always check with your health care provider.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much amlodipine?
If you or someone else has used too much amlodipineget medical help right awaycall 911or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of amlodipine?
If you miss a dosetake it as soon as you remember. Do not take amlodipine tablets if it has been over 12 hours since you missed your last dose. Just wait and take it at your regular time.