. Amlodipine belongs to a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers, which help relax blood vessels, making it easier for the heart to pump blood.This medication comes in tablet form and is usually taken once a day, with or without food.Common side effects of amlodipine include headache, swelling of legs or ankles, tiredness, and nausea. "Pin It")
Amlodipine Overview
Amlodipine is a prescription medication used to treat high blood pressure and chest pain (angina). Amlodipine belongs to a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers, which help relax blood vessels, making it easier for the heart to pump blood.
This medication comes in tablet form and is usually taken once a day, with or without food.
Common side effects of amlodipine include headache, swelling of legs or ankles, tiredness, and nausea.
Uses of Amlodipine
Amlodipine is a prescription medicine used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and chest pain (angina) in adults and children.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Side Effects of Amlodipine
Amlodipine may cause the following mild or moderate side effects:
- headache
- swelling of your legs or ankles
- tiredness, extreme sleepiness
- stomach pain, nausea
- dizziness
- flushing (hot or warm feeling in your face)
- arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
- heart palpitations (very fast heartbeat)
When you first start taking amlodipine or increase your dose, you may have a heart attack or worsened angina. This is rare, but has happened. If this occurs, call your doctor right away or go directly to a hospital emergency room.
This is not a complete list of amlodipine side effects. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Amlodipine Interactions
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:
- diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Taztia XT, Tiazac and others)
- ketoconazole (Nizoral)
- itraconazole (Sporanox)
- ritonavir (Norvir)
- simvastatin
This is not a complete list of amlodipine drug interactions. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Amlodipine Precautions
Do not use amlodipine tablets if you are allergic to amlodipine (the active ingredient in amlodipine tablets), or to the inactive ingredients. Your doctor or pharmacist can give you a list of these ingredients.
- Do not breastfeed. It is not known if amlodipine will pass through your milk.
- Do not start any new prescription or non-prescription medicines or supplements, unless you check with your doctor first.
Amlodipine Food Interactions
Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of amlodipine there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving amlodipine.
Inform MD
Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions especially if you:
- have heart disease
- have liver problems
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Amlodipine and Pregnancy
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if amlodipine will harm your unborn baby.
Amlodipine and Lactation
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. It is not known if amlodipine is excreted in human breast milk or if it will harm your nursing baby.
Amlodipine Usage
Amlodipine comes as a tablet to be taken by mouth, with or without food. It is usually taken once a day. Take this medicine at about the same time each day, such as with breakfast or dinner, or at bedtime. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Do not take amlodipine if it has been more than 12 hours since you missed your last dose. Wait and take the next dose at your regular time. Never take two doses at one time.
Amlodipine Dosage
Take amlodipine exactly as prescribed. Follow the directions on your prescription label very carefully. Your doctor will determine your dose based on your age, the condition being treated, other medical conditions you have, as well as other medicines you are taking.
The recommended adult starting dose is 5 mg taken once daily. The dose may be increased to 10 mg daily, if necessary.
In children as young as six years old with high blood pressure, the recommended starting amlodipine dose is 2.5 mg to 5 mg taken once daily.
Amlodipine Overdose
If you take too much amlodipine, call your local Poison Control Center or seek emergency medical attention right away.
Forms of Amlodipine
Amlodipine tablets are available in the following strengths: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg
Active ingredient: amlodipine besylate
Other Requirements
Store amlodipine tablets at room temperature (between 59° and 86°F), away from light and moisture. Do not store this medicine in the bathroom.
Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.
