Amlodipine is one of those drugs that are called calcium channel blockers. It works by inhibiting the entry of channels into muscles. Amlodipine is used to lower blood pressure by causing dilation of the blood vessels.

Amlodipine can also be used to prevent chest pain (angina). Coronary artery disease is another condition that is treated with Amlodipine.

Amlodipine is available in the form of:

• Tablet
• Suspension

It is orally administered once a day.

Stopping treatment with Amlodipine without the doctor's permission can cause a surge in blood pressure, which puts you at risk of getting a heart attack or stroke.

Generic name: Amlodipine

Common brand names:

• Norvasc
• Katerzia
• Amvaz
• Istin
• Amlostin

How does Amlodipine work?

Blood pressure increases when the blood vessels become narrow. Blood pressure medications focus on the dilation of blood vessels to lower blood pressure.

Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker, which acts as a vasodilator. It inhibits the entry of calcium ions into the vascular smooth muscles and cardiac muscles.

Inhibition of calcium ions causes the vascular muscles to relax.

The relaxation of smooth muscles leads to the dilation of the blood vessels, resulting in the smooth flow of the blood, ultimately causing a decline in blood pressure.

Clinical indications and uses

High blood pressure

High blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney issues. Therefore, it is essential to lower blood pressure back to the normal range.

Amlodipine can lower high blood pressure in hypertensive people. By relaxing the vascular smooth muscles and increasing the diameter of vessels, it allows the blood to flow smoothly.

There are other medications for hypertension, too. Amlodipine can be taken with or without them.

Children (6-17years), adults (18-64 years), and elderly people suffering from hypertension are given Amlodipine.

Angina

Amlodipine can prevent the development of chest pain in angina. The person being treated with this drug may be able to do exercise more.

Moreover, the frequency of angina attacks may also decrease by using this medicine.

Adults (18-64 years) and elderly people prone to angina attacks are prescribed Amlodipine.

Coronary artery disease

Coronary artery disease is a heart condition in which there is a buildup of plaque in arteries supplying blood to the heart. There is a narrowing of vascular channels in this condition.

Adults (18-64 years) and elderly people suffering from coronary artery disease are treated with Amlodipine.

Dosage

The prescribed dosage depends on the following:

• The condition being treated by the medication
• The age of the patient
• The response of the condition to the medication
• Medical history of the patient

It is available in capsules and tablets in the following dosages:

• 2.5mg
• 5mg
• 10mg

The doctor may increase the dosage if the initial dosage is not effective.

Dosages for conditions being treated with Amlodipine and for different age groups are given below.

Dosage for hypertension

Children

For children falling in the age range of 6-17 years, 2.5mg to 5mg Amlodipine is prescribed. The medication is supposed to be taken once a day.

Adults

For adults falling in the age range of 18-64 years, 5mg Amlodipine is prescribed. The medication is taken once daily.

Doctors may increase the dosage after 7 -14 days if the previous dose has not been able to control blood pressure.

The maximum dosage in the case of adults is 10mg.

Elderly

For the elderly falling in the age range above 64 years, 2.5mg Amlodipine is prescribed. They take the drug once a day.

Dosage for angina pectoris

Adults

For adults of ages 18-64 years, 5-10mg Amlodipine is prescribed. They take the medication once daily.

Elderly

For older people who are above 64 years, 5mg Amlodipine is prescribed. The drug is supposed to be taken once daily.

Dosage for coronary artery disease

Adults

For adults belonging to the age group 18-64 years, 5-10mg Amlodipine is prescribed. The medication is taken once a day.

Elderly

For older people above 64 years, 5mg Amlodipine is prescribed. They take the drug once daily.

People suffering from liver disease are given 2.5mg Amlodipine. They are supposed to take it once daily.

If you forget to take a dose, you should take it as soon as you remember. If the time for the next dose is near, it is better to skip the missed dose.

Do not take double doses to make up for the missed one.

Route of administration

It is available in the form of tablets and oral suspension, the route of administration of Amlodipine oral route. Moreover, it can be intravenously administered, too.

The drug can be taken anytime regardless of your meal timing.

You should take the accurate amount of oral suspension by measuring it with a dosing syringe or dose-measuring device. Do not use a kitchen spoon for measuring purposes.

Take Amlodipine as it has been directed by your doctor. Before you stop the medicine, talk to your doctor about it.

Side effects of Amlodipine

Taking amlodipine can lead to the development of the following side effects:

• Headache
• Swelling in the body
• Pain in stomach
• Upset stomach
• Nausea
• Drowsiness
• Flushing

Consult your doctor about these symptoms if they have increased in intensity or are constantly present.

There are also some serious side effects of taking Amlodipine, such as:

• Severe chest pain
• Pounding heartbeat
• Lightheadedness can lead to fainting
• Shortness of breath
• Cold sweats

These symptoms are a cause of concern for anyone who is taking Amlodipine they can be symptoms of extremely low blood pressure or heart attack. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, talk with your doctor or visit the emergency department in a hospital.

Contraindications of Amlodipine

Amlodipine can cause adverse effects in the body if you are already suffering from certain diseases. These diseases are:

• Liver disease
• Kidney disease
• Unstable angina
• Heart failure
• Aortic stenosis
• Severe hypotension

Therefore, it is advised to be cautious if you are taking Amlodipine while having any one of these conditions. Moreover, tell your doctor if you have ever had a heart attack in the past.

If you have had a history of allergy to Amlodipine, it is important to tell your doctor so they can give you a different medication.

The medication can be passed via milk into the newborn baby. Before you start breastfeeding, discuss with your doctor.

It is not known if Amlodipine affects an unborn baby. Still, it is recommended that pregnant women should take Amlodipine only if the benefit is outweighing the potential risk.

Amlodipine is not safe for children falling in the age range 0-5 years.

Drug interactions

Drugs interacting with each other can lead to the accumulation of one drug in the body or it affects the working of one drug, leading to its low effect on the body.

Drug interactions can have adverse effects on the body. Therefore, it is important to talk to your doctor about the medicines you take and the medicines you have taken in the past.

Following are the drugs that interact with Amlodipine.

Simvastatin

Simvastatin is a drug used to lower the high cholesterol levels in the body. If Simvastatin is taken with Amlodipine, the levels of Simvastatin in the body can increase.

An increased amount of Simvastatin makes the body prone to develop side effects.

Immunosuppressants

The level of immunosuppressants, such as Cyclosporine, in the body, can increase if they are taken with Amlodipine. This increase makes the person prone to developing side effects.

Diltiazem

Diltiazem is a heart medication taken in case of an angina attack. There is an increased Amlodipine in the body if Amlodipine and Diltiazem are taken together.

Antifungal drugs

Taking antifungal drugs, such as Ketoconazole, with Amlodipine can lead to an increased amount of Amlodipine in the body. This causes side effects to occur.

Clarithromycin

Clarithromycin is an antibiotic. If both the drugs are taken together, the interaction can cause the levels of Amlodipine to increase in the body, resulting in an increased risk of side effects.

Sildenafil

Sildenafil is used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction or impotency. The interaction between Sildenafil and Amlodipine can lead to lowering of blood pressure.

Overdosage

If anyone overdoses on Amlodipine, they may develop the following symptoms:

• Fainting
• Dizziness
• Extremely fast heartbeat
• Shock

Overdosing on Amlodipine requires medical care so seek immediate medical care if you or anyone you know have overdosed on the drug.

Storage

Keep the medicine stored in the air-tight box you got from the pharmacy. Amlodipine may cause harm to the children, so keep it at a place where children cannot reach it.

Keep the medication at room temperature. Ensure that the storage place is devoid of any moisture, heat, or sunlight.

Avoid storing it in the bathroom.

When it is time to throw the medication away, use a proper disposal method so other people and children cannot get their hands on it. Avoid flushing it.