Amlodipine (as besylate, mesylate or maleate) is a long-acting calcium channel blocker (dihydropyridine class) used as an anti-hypertensive and in the treatment of angina. Like other calcium channel blockers, amlodipine acts by relaxing the smooth muscle in the arterial wall, decreasing total peripheral resistance and hence reducing blood pressure; in angina it increases blood flow to the heart muscle.
Some side effects of the use of amlodipine may be:
Very often: peripheral edema (feet and ankles) - in 1 of 10 users
Often: dizziness; palpitations; muscle-, stomach- or headache; dyspepsia; nausea - in 1 in 100 users
Sometimes: blood disorders, development of breasts in men (gynecomastia), impotence, depression, insomnia, tachycardia - in 1 in 1,000 users
Rarely: erratic behavior, hepatitis, jaundice - in 1 in 10,000 users
Very rarely: hyperglycemia, tremor, Stevens-Johnson syndrome - in 1 in 100,000 users
Dose:
Hypertension or angina: 2.5 to 10 mg once daily (initial treatment can start as low as 2.5 mg per day, titrate up to 10 mg/day as necessary).
Salts:
In the United Kingdom tablets of amlodipine from different suppliers may contain different salts. The strength of the tablets is expressed in terms of amlodipine base, i.e., without the salt. Tablets containing different salts are therefore considered interchangeable.
The efficacy and tolerability of a fixed-dose combination of amlodipine 5 mg and perindopril 4 mg, an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, have recently been confirmed in a prospective, observational multicentre trial of 1250 hypertensive patients.
Drug metabolism and excretion:
Amlodipine is almost entirely metabolised to inactive metabolites. 10% of the parent substance and 60% of the metabolites are excreted in urine.
Patent loss:
Pfizer patent protection on Norvasc lasted until 2007. Total patent expiration occurred later in 2007. A number of generic versions are now available.
Brand names:
Amlodipine is marketed as:
Norvasc by Pfizer in North America and some European countries
Norvasc and Perivasc in Australia
Istin in the United Kingdom and Ireland
Agen by Zentiva in the Czech Republic
Amdipin in Colombia by Laboratorios Lafrancol
Amlodine in the Philippines by Westfield Pharmaceuticals, a division of InnoGen
Amdepin by Cadila Pharmaceuticals in India
Dailyvasc by Xeno Pharmaceuticals
Aken in Mexico by Kendrick Farmaceutica
Lopin in Bangladesh by Edruc Ltd
Amlopine in Thailand by Berlin (Thailand) Pharmaceutical Industry Co Ltd
Amcard in Bangladesh by Apex Pharma Ltd
Amlodipine
On this Page Treatment & Uses Safety Information Before Using Treating Overdose Side Effects
Generic Name: amlodipine (am LOE di peen)
Brand names: Norvasc
What is amlodipine?
Amlodipine (Norvasc) is in a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers. It works by relaxing (dilating) your blood vessels, lowering blood pressure, and decreasing heart rate, which lowers the workload on the heart. It also dilates coronary arteries increasing blood flow to the heart.
Amlodipine is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) or chest pain (angina).
Amlodipine may also be used for other purposes not listed.
Important information about amlodipine
Before taking amlodipine, tell your doctor if you have congestive heart failure or liver disease.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking amlodipine. Alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase some of the side effects of amlodipine.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel fine. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
Amlodipine is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, and other medications. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.
Tell your doctor about all other heart or blood pressure medications you are taking.
Your chest pain may become worse when you first start taking amlodipine or when your dose is increased. Call your doctor if your chest pain is severe or ongoing.
Before before taking amlodipine
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to amlodipine.
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication. Before taking amlodipine, tell your doctor if you have:
congestive heart failure; or
liver disease.
If you are also taking a beta-blocker drug (such as Blocadren, Corgard, Inderal, Normodyne, Tenormin, Toprol, Trandate, Zebeta, and others) do not suddenly stop using the beta-blocker without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely. Stopping a beta-blocker too quickly can cause serious heart problems that will not be prevented by amlodipine.
FDA pregnancy category C. Amlodipine may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether amlodipine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
