What is Amlodipine (Generic Norvasc)?
Amlodipine is used to treat high blood pressure with or without other medicine. Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. Amlodipine belongs to a class of drugs known as calcium channel blockers. It works by relaxing blood vessels so blood can flow more easily. Amlodipine is also used to prevent certain types of chest pain (angina). It may help to increase your ability to exercise and decrease the frequency of angina attacks. It should not be used to treat attacks of chest pain when they occur. Use other medications (such as sublingual nitroglycerin) to relieve attacks of chest pain as directed by your doctor.
Recommendations for use of Amlodipine (Generic Norvasc)
Amlodipine is used to lower your blood pressure. It can be used alone or in combination with other heart medications.
Amlodipine is also used to help blood flow more easily to your heart when the arteries in your heart are blocked.
Amlodipine is also used to treat coronary artery disease and angina (chest pain).
Dosage and direction of taking Amlodipine (Generic Norvasc)
Ensure to read and understand the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using Amlodipine. If there are any doubts ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take Amlodipine orally as prescribed by your doctor with a full glass of water with or without food usually once a day.
Your dosage will be decided upon your medical condition, age, laboratory tests, your response to the medication and other medications that you are taking.
Take Amlodipine exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take in doses which are either larger or for longer than what is recommended by your doctor.
Take Amlodipine usually once a day by mouth with a glass of water or as directed by your doctor. Take Amlodipine after meals.
Make sure to take Amlodipine regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you to remember easier take the generic Norvasc at the same time each day.
Chest pain can be prevented by the use of Amlodipine. However, do not take Amlodipine when you are experiencing chest pain. To relieve sudden attacks use medications like sublingual nitroglycerin tablets placed under the tongue for chest pain as directed by your doctor. If you need more details contact your doctor.
It may take 1 or 2 weeks before you get the full benefit from this for the treatment of high blood pressure.
Amlodipine needs to be continued even if you feel well. Most patients with high blood pressure do not feel sick.
Inform your doctor if your condition does not improve or if your blood pressure readings remain high or increases.
Missed Dose of Amlodipine (Generic Norvasc)
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time to take your next dose. Do not take an dose of medicine to make up the missed dose.
Overdose of Amlodipine (Generic Norvasc)
If you think you have taken more than the required dose contact a poison control center or emergency room at once. NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
How does Amlodipine (Generic Norvasc) work?
Amlodipine belongs to a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.
Amlodipine blocks calcium from entering certain tissues and arteries. This makes it easier for them to relax so that blood can flow more easily to your heart. This in turn helps lower your blood pressure, and reduces your risk of heart attack or stroke. If you're taking amlodipine for chest pain, this drug reduces your risk of hospitalization and surgeries due to chest pain.
Precautions before taking Amlodipine (Generic Norvasc)
You should not take Amlodipine if you are allergic to Amlodipine or to similar medicines.
Before taking Amlodipine, tell your doctor if you have:
any other medical conditions
any allergies to Amlodipine or to any other calcium channel blockers (Nisoldipine, nifedipine) or any other allergies
liver disease
certain structural heart problem (aortic stenosis)
very low blood pressure
If you are having surgery prior to your surgery, inform your doctor or the dentist of all the products (prescription, non- prescription medications, herbal products, vitamin and supplements) you are taking.
Amlodipine may make you dizzy, drowsy or make you faint. Consumption of alcohol or marijuana can increase the risk of drowsiness. Do not operate machinery, drive a car or do anything that require alertness until you can do it safely. Understand how this medication affects you. Limit alcoholic beverages. Discuss with your doctor your options if you are taking marijuana.
Get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position in order to reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness.
Amlodipine should only be used if it is absolutely necessary during pregnancy. It may harm an unborn baby. Discuss with your doctor the risks and the benefits involved.
Consult your doctor before nursing as Amlodipine passes into breast milk.
About other prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Taking Amlodipine together with certain medicines or products may cause serious, life-threatening side effects.
Side Effects of Amlodipine (Generic Norvasc)
Your doctor prescribed this medicine after carefully analyzing the benefits over the risks involved. Most people do not experience any serious side effects.
dizziness
lightheadedness
flushing
swelling ankles / feet
Get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position in order to reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness.
Inform your doctor immediately if you experience any of the serious side effects mentioned below.
Irregular/fast/pounding heartbeat
fainting
Though Amlodipine prevents chest pain (angina) some patients who already have severe heart disease may rarely develop worsening chest pain or a heart attack when you start to take this medication or increase the dose. If you experience any of the following get medical help immediately.
symptoms of a heart attack (chest / jaw/ left arm pain, unusual sweating, shortness of breath
worsening chest pain
A serious allergic reaction is extremely rare with Amlodipine. In case you show any of the following symptoms get to the emergency clinic
itching
trouble breathing
swelling in the face, throat, tongue, throat
rash
severe dizziness
The above list includes very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation. These side effects are very rare. Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed above may occur in some patients. Do not be alarmed by the lists of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them. Ask your pharmacist or doctor if you have any questions.
Interaction with Amlodipine (Generic Norvasc)
Inform your doctor about any medications that you are taking including prescription medications, over the counter medications, vitamins, supplements and herbal remedies. Do not start, stop and change the dosage of any medicine without your doctor's permission.
Some of the medications which may interact with Amlodipine is
diltiazem
ketoconazole
itraconazole
voriconazole
clarithromycin
erectile dysfunction medications - sildenafil, tadalafil, avanafil, vardenafil
simvastatin
cyclosporine
tacrolimus
Do not let anyone else take your medication.
This list is not complete and there are many other medicines that can interact with Amlodipine. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.
Storage of Amlodipine (Generic Norvasc)
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Store at 15°C - 30°C (59°F - 77°F); protect drug from excessive light, humidity, and temperature over 30°C (86°F)
Keep Amlodipine tablets in the container that they came in and keep the container tightly closed.
Throw away capsules that are no longer needed or expired (out of date).
Medicines should not be disposed of via waste water or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. This will help to protect the environment.
Amlodipine should not be used after the given expiration date.
Scientific Information about Amlodipine or Generic Norvasc
Formula: Amlodipine | C20H25CIN2O5
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