Amlodipine Generic

Since the patents have expired for brand-name amlodipine, generic amlodipine is now available on the market. Generic amlodipine is manufactured by a number of different companies and is available in three strengths.

 

Generic Amlodipine: An Overview

Amlodipine besylate (Norvasc®) is a prescription medicine that has been approved for the following uses:
 
o Angina symptoms in people with exercise-induced angina (chronic stable angina) or vasospastic angina (Prinzmetal's or variant angina)
 
o Coronary artery disease in people who do not have heart failure.
Amlodipine is manufactured by Pfizer. However, the patents for amlodipine have expired, and generic versions of the medication are available.
 

Strengths of Generic Amlodipine

Generic amlodipine tablets are available in the following strengths:
 
  • Amlodipine 2.5 mg
  • Amlodipine 5 mg
  • Amlodipine 10 mg.
    •  

Who Makes Generic Amlodipine?

Generic Amlodipine is made by the following manufacturers:
 
  • Apotex
  • Greenstone Ltd.
  • Mylan Pharmaceuticals
  • Roxane Laboratories
  • Synthon Pharmaceuticals.
    •  

Is Generic Amlodipine as Good as Brand-Name Amlodipine?

All generic medications must undergo certain tests to compare them to brand-name medications.
 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) then looks at these tests to decide if the generics are equivalent to the brand-name medications and assigns each generic a rating. An "AB" rating means that the FDA has determined that a generic medication is equivalent to a brand-name medication. All of the generic amlodipine versions currently available have an "AB" rating, meaning they should be equivalent to brand-name amlodipine.
 
However, generic medications are allowed to have different inactive ingredients than the brand-name medication. This might include fillers or dyes or other ingredients that may cause problems for people with allergies or sensitivities.
 
Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;