Amlodipine
Pronunciation: am-LOE-di-peen
Generic Name: Amlodipine
Brand Name: Norvasc


Amlodipine - used for:
Treating high blood pressure and angina (chest pain). It may be used alone or with other medicines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker. 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.

Do NOT use Amlodipine if:
you are allergic to any ingredient in Amlodipine
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Amlodipine:
Some medical conditions may interact with Amlodipine. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
if you have allergies to medicines or other substances
if you have heart failure, very low blood pressure, or liver problems
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Amlodipine. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

Vasopressin receptor antagonists (eg, conivaptan) because side effects of amlodipine may be increased
Sildenafil because the risk of low blood pressure may be increased
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Amlodipine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Amlodipine:
Use Amlodipine as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

Amlodipine may be taken with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.
Continue to use Amlodipine even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
If you miss a dose of Amlodipine, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Amlodipine.

Important safety information about Amlodipine:
Amlodipine may cause drowsiness or dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Amlodipine. Using Amlodipine alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
Amlodipine may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. Alcohol, hot weather, exercise, and fever can increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Also, sit or lie down at the first sign of dizziness, lightheadedness, or weakness.
Patients being treated for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after beginning therapy. Continue taking your medication even though you may not feel quite "normal." Contact your doctor or pharmacist about any new symptoms
If you are taking Amlodipine for angina, it will not relieve the pain of an acute attack if taken at the time of an acute attack. It prevents or reduces the number of angina attacks only if you take it on regular schedule.
When you begin using Amlodipine, it may cause a headache, which usually lasts for a short time.
While you are using Amlodipine, it is important to brush and floss your teeth carefully to reduce swelling and tenderness of your gums.
Although rare, Amlodipine has been known to increase chest pain and increase the risk of heart attack, especially in patients with severe heart disease.
LAB TESTS, including blood pressure checks, may be performed to monitor your progress. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
Use Amlodipine with caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects.
Amlodipine is not recommended for use in CHILDREN younger than 6 years of age. Safety and effectiveness in this age group have not been confirmed.
PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Amlodipine during pregnancy. Amlodipine is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Amlodipine.
Possible side effects of Amlodipine:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Dizziness; drowsiness; fatigue; flushing; headache; muscle cramps; nausea; stomach pain; weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); dark urine; difficulty breathing; fast or irregular heartbeat; pounding in the chest; swelling of feet or legs; tender, bleeding, or swollen gums; worsening chest pain; yellowing of the eyes or skin.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include dizziness; fainting or lightheadedness, especially upon standing; very fast heart rate.

Proper storage of Amlodipine:
Store Amlodipine between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Amlodipine out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:
If you have any questions about Amlodipine, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Amlodipine is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Amlodipine. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.