This article is not medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or use the medication guide.

Amlodipine information

What is Amlodipine?

Amlodipine is a medication used to treat coronary artery disease and high blood pressure. This long-acting calcium channel blocker widens or dilates blood vessels and enhances blood flow. It’s available under a generic drug name Norvasc.

Recent studies have revealed that its efficiency is not limited to the treatment of cardiovascular diseases only. This drug has antioxidant activity and, therefore, plays a crucial role in apoptosis.

Amlodipine was patented back in 1982, while its approval for medical use was done in 1990. The World Health Organization lists it among the essential medicines. It’s a safe drug for use in children under 6 years and adults. Amlodipine is available in tablet and suspension forms.

Proper use of Amlodipine

Amlodipine (Norvasc generic) should be taken as prescribed by a doctor or any other qualified healthcare provider. Follow directions on the prescription label, unless advised otherwise. The doctor might change the dose based on your medical condition for the best results.

Do not under-dose or overdose or use it for a more extended period than recommended. Amlodipine can be taken with or without food. More so, ensure you take it the same time every day. Shake the oral suspension (Katerzia) before taking it and use the provided syringe to measure the dose.

When you take the first dose of Amlodipine, your chest pain might increase. Call your health care provider if the pain persists.

If you have hypertension, keep using the medicine even when you’re well. You might as well be required to use the drug for the rest of your life. Your high blood pressure might get treated using a combination of various medications.

Dosing

Amlodipine dosage comes in oral suspension and tablet forms. For tablet dosages, it’s available in the following dosage measures- both for adults and children:

• Amlodipine 2.5mg
• Amlodipine 5mg
• Amlodipine 10mg

For oral suspension;

• 1mg/ml Katerzia

For hypertension, dosage starts with 5mg/day. You might increase the dose by 2.5gm per day after every 7-14 days. However, don’t exceed 10mg/day. The doctor will advise you according to the pressure goals. For coronary artery disease and angina, 5-10mg/day is recommendable. For children more than 6 years, start at 2.5 to 5 mg/day.

Amlodipine pharmacokinetics are not affected by renal impairments. Hence, no dosage adjustment is required. However, the lower initial dosage might not be necessary for patients (adults and kids) with hepatic impairment.

Missed Dose

Amlodipine is taken daily for the treatment of hypertension. Ensure you take it at the same time each day. If you miss a dose of Amlodipine medication, take it as soon as you remember and continue with the regular dosing schedule.

However, you should not take two Amlodipine Besylate 5mg tablets to make up for the missed dose. Let your doctor know if you happen to miss two doses. You’ll get advice on how to get back on the track.

Amlodipine Uses

What is Amlodipine used for?

• Amlodipine Besylate (Norvasc generic) is a white crystalline drug that is sparingly soluble in ethanol and slightly soluble in water.
• This medicine is indicated for the treatment of high blood pressures, myocardial infarctions, as well as fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events.
• Amlodipine is also used for symptomatic treatment of angina. It might be used alone or combined with other antianginal agents.
• It might also be a solution for suspected or confirmed vasospastic angina. However, don’t self-medicate with Amlodipine. Consult your doctor for the right dose for you or your child.

Before Using

Allergies

Before using Amlodipine max dose, consult with your physician. An Amlodipine tablet or oral suspension can cause a severe allergic reaction. It might lead to;

• Swelling of your tongue or throat
• Developing breathing difficulties
• Hive

If you develop any of these symptoms, quickly call your doctor or 911 since it can be fatal.

Amlodipine interactions with other drugs

Amlodipine can interact with other medications such as;

Cyclosporine – People who’ve previously had a kidney transplant and taking a combination of Cyclosporine and Amlodipine might increase Cyclosporine levels in the body.

Simvastatin – If you’re under Amlodipine medication, the FDA recommends limiting the intake of Simvastatin dose to 20mg/day.

It’s essential that you inform the doctor about the medications, supplements, and herbs you’re currently taking before taking Amlodipine.

Special conditions

The FDA has highlighted some considerations that both you and the prescribing doctor need to be aware of.

Pregnancy- There is no conclusive research that shows the safety of taking Amlodipine pill during pregnancy. However, the doctor might prescribe the drug if the potential benefits dwarf the risks.

Breastfeeding – It’s not yet clear if Amlodipine can enter breast milk. Due to this, the FDA warns that breastfeeding women should not take Amlodipine.

Pediatric – There is no proof to show whether Amlodipine is effective or safe for children below 6 years old. Therefore, the FDA does not recommend it for kids below this age.

Amlodipine warnings

Hypotension- This is the opposite of hypertension, which means low blood pressure. Amlodipine may lead to hypotension, particularly to people with severe aortic stenosis. Some of the symptoms include nausea, feeling faint and tired.

Liver Problems – Amlodipine is exhaustively metabolized in the liver. Therefore, doctors should be cautious when prescribing medicine to patients with liver issues.

Increased Myocardial infarction or angina- When starting out or gradually increasing the dosage of Amlodipine, it may increase the risk of heart attack or worsen symptoms of angina. Although it’s a rare condition, it’s advisable to be cautious.

Amlodipine side effects

The FDA has used clinical trials to determine the safety of Amlodipine Besylate. The studies found that a dosage of Amlodipine Besylate 10mg per day rarely caused problems. However, there are common side effects, including;

• Dizziness
• Edema
• Palpitation
• Drowsiness
• Nausea
• Headache

Severe Amlodipine Besylate side effects include;

• Fainting
• Strong, irregular, rapid heartbeat
• Frequent or severe chest pain

Seek medical help immediately if you experience any of these severe side effects. Amlodipine Besylate tabs are best taken during bedtime. This is because it causes drowsiness or dizziness, meaning you cannot work or drive effectively after your daily dose.

Proper storage of Amlodipine (Norvasc generic)

• Ensure you store the drug at the right temperature and conditions. Store the medicine at room temperature between 15°C and 30°C.

• Ensure it remains in the original container, which should be tightly closed. Don’t store it in damp or moist areas, and keep it away from light.

• This prescription drug is refillable. The doctor will prescribe the number of refills.

Amlodipine Cost/Price

Amlodipine medication is generally inexpensive across the United States. The best price for Amlodipine oral tablet 2.5 mg (90 tablets) is around $8 without an Amlodipine coupon. Since January 2020 to May, the price history of Amlodipine 5 mg (30 tablets) has been ranging between $27-30 depending on where you get your dosage. With the best coupon for Amlodipine, most patients are able to lower this price tag by up to 65%.

Mechanism of Action

Amlodipine is used in the treatment or management of coronary artery disease and hypertension. The calcium channel blocker might provide more excellent protection against strokes and high blood pressure by dilating the arteries for enhanced blood flow. This drug selectively constrains calcium ion influx across cell membranes. This leads to vasodilation and a significant reduction in peripheral vascular resistance. As a result, it lowers blood pressure.

Amlodipine also prevents excessive constraints in the coronary arteries, thus preventing the risk of strokes and other cardiovascular diseases.