Amlodipine

Amlodipine is a drug that is used for treating high blood pressure, certain types of angina, and coronary heart failure. The drug works by slowing down the rate at which calcium moves to your heart and blood vessel walls, allowing better blood flow. Amlodipine comes in the form of a tablet that is taken by mouth, usually once a day. Some possible side effects of this drug include dizziness, nausea, and headache.

 

What Is Amlodipine?

Amlodipine besylate (Norvasc®) is a prescription medication used to treat various conditions of the heart and blood vessels.
 

Who Makes Amlodipine?

It is manufactured by Pfizer, Inc.
 

What Is It Used For?

Amlodipine has been licensed for several uses. These uses include the treatment of:
 
o Angina (chest pain), including exercise-induced angina (also known as chronic stable angina or exertional angina) and vasospastic angina (also known as Prinzmetal's or variant angina)
 
o Coronary artery disease in people who do not have congestive heart failure.
(Click What Is Amlodipine Used For? for more information on what amlodipine is used for, including possible off-label uses.)
 

How Does It Work?

Amlodipine is part of a class of drugs called
 calcium channel blockers. The drug helps slow down the rate at which calcium moves into your heart and into the blood vessel walls. This, in turn, helps to relax the vessels, which allows better blood flow and causes lower blood pressure. It also makes it easier for the heart to pump blood.
 
There are two basic types of calcium channel blockers: dihydropyridine and non-dihydropyridine. The most important difference between the two types is that non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers can slow the heart rate, while dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers do not. Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, which means that it does not have an effect on the heart rate.
 

Effectiveness

Amlodipine decreases blood pressure, reducing the risks that can occur with long-term high blood pressure (see Effects of High Blood Pressure). In clinical studies, amlodipine reduced systolic blood pressure by 12 points and diastolic blood pressure by 7 points (on average) in people with mild to moderate high blood pressure.
 
In people with exercise-induced angina (chronic stable angina), taking amlodipine increased the amount of time they could exercise before chest pain occurred.
 
For people with variant angina (Prinzmetal's angina), taking amlodipine decreased the number of angina attacks.
 

When and How to Take Amlodipine

Some general considerations for when and how to take the medication include:
 
  • Amlodipine comes in tablet form. It is taken by mouth, usually once a day.
     
  • You can take it with or without food. If it bothers your stomach, try taking it with food.
     
  • It should be taken at the same time each day to maintain an even level of the drug in your blood.
     
  • For amlodipine to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. It will not work if you stop taking it.
     

Dosing

The dose of amlodipine recommended by your healthcare provider will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • Your age
  • The medical condition you are being treated for
  • Other medical conditions
  • Other medications you may be currently taking.
     
As with any medication, do not adjust your amlodipine dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 
(Click Amlodipine Dosage for more information.)
 

Side Effects

As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with amlodipine. However, not everyone who takes the medication will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it well. When side effects do occur, in most cases they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
 
Common side effects of amlodipine include, but are not limited to:
 
  • Swelling or water retention (edema)
  • Feelings of a rapidly or forcefully beating heart (heart palpitations)
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Flushing (redness of the skin, especially the face)
  • Abdominal pain (stomach pain)
  • Drowsiness.
     
(Click Amlodipine Side Effects to learn about the specific side effects of the drug, including serious side effects to look out for. You can also read about possible side effects by going to:
 

Drug Interactions With Amlodipine

There are no known drug interactions with amlodipine.
 
(Click Drug Interactions With Amlodipine for more information.)
 

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking amlodipine if you have:
 
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
 
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 
(Click Precautions and Warnings of Amlodipine for more information on this topic, including information on who should not take the drug.)
 

Overdose

People who take too much amlodipine may have overdose symptoms that could include:
 
If you happen to overdose, seek medical attention immediately.
 
(Click Norvasc Overdose for more information.)
 

Storage Methods

Amlodipine should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Amlodipine tablets should be stored in an airtight container.
 
Keep amlodipine and all medications out of the reach of children.
 

What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?

If you do not take your amlodipine as scheduled, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose of amlodipine.
 

Strengths

Amlodipine tablets are available in three strengths:
 
  • Amlodipine 2.5mg
  • Amlodipine 5 mg
  • Amlodipine 10 mg.
     

Generic Amlodipine

Currently, both brand-name and generic amlodipine versions are licensed for sale.
 
(Click Generic Norvasc for more information.)
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;