Amlodipine Strengths

Amlodipine besylate (Norvasc^®) is a medication often prescribed to treat conditions related to the heart and blood vessels. It is commonly used for treating high blood pressure (hypertension) and treating heart disease, including angina and coronary artery disease in people who do not have heart failure.

This medicine comes in tablet form and is taken by mouth, typically once a day. There are currently three different strengths of amlodipine: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg. Although it does not matter what time of day you take the drug, it is best to take it at the same time each day to maintain an even level in the blood.

Amlodipine decreases blood pressure, reducing the risks that can occur with long-term hypertension. In clinical studies, the medication 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. When beginning treatment with amlodipine, a strength of 5 mg is typically prescribed.

In people with exercise-induced angina (chronic stable angina), the medication 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.

(Click Amlodipine to learn more about the different strengths of amlodipine, how this medicine works, and what you should be aware of before starting treatment.)