Amlodipine

Brand Names

Norvasc

What is Amlodipine

Amlodipine belongs to a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers. Amlodipine widens blood vessels and improves blood flow.

This medication is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) or angina and other conditions caused by coronary artery disease. This medication can be used for adults and children who are at least 6 years old.

Side effects of Amlodipine

If you have noticed any of these serious side effects inform your doctor as soon as possible:

• feeling like you might pass out
• swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
• pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest
• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling

Less serious side effects may include the followings:

• headache
• dizziness, drowsiness
• tired feeling
• stomach pain
• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling)

Indication

Amlodipine is used to treat high blood pressure. It may also used with or without other medications. Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. Amlodipine is in a class of drugs known as calcium channel blockers. It works by relaxing blood vessels so blood can flow more easily. Amlodipine is also used to prevent certain types of chest pain (angina). It may help to increase your ability to exercise and decrease the frequency of angina attacks.

It is not used to treat attacks of chest pain when they occur. You should use other medications such as sublingual nitroglycerin to relieve attacks of chest pain as directed by your doctor.

Precautions

Before you take amlodipine, please, inform your doctor if:

• you are allergic to it or to other dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers such as nisoldipine, nifedipine.
• you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems.
• you have medical history such as certain structural heart problem (aortic stenosis), very low blood pressure, liver disease.
• you are having surgery, or use other medications including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products.
• you are pregnant, this medication should be used only when it is really needed.
• you are breast-feeding.

This drug may make you dizzy. So do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. You are also need to limit alcoholic beverages.

Dosage forms

Amlodipine Dosage for Adults

The starting amlodipine dose in people with high blood pressure (hypertension) or heart disease is amlodipine 5 mg once daily. Your doctor may increase your dose up to amlodipine 10 mg daily. The dosage can also be decreased if you experience bothersome amlodipine side effects.

Amlodipine Dosing for Children

The starting dose of amlodipine for children ages as young as 6 years old with high blood pressure is amlodipine 2.5 to 5 mg once daily.