Amlodipine

Description

Amlodipine is a medicine used for the treatment of high blood pressure. This medicine works by relaxing the blood vessels which make the blood flow easily, thus lowering the blood pressure. This will reduce your risk of heart attack or a stroke by making it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body. Amlodipine shows side effects like swelling in your ankles or feet, headache, sleepiness, dizziness, tiredness, nausea, and upset stomach. Most of these are temporary and usually resolve with time. Avoid consuming grapefruit juice with this medicine as it can cause side effects. Amlodipine can be taken with or without food. The dose will be decided by your doctor depending on your blood pressure level. Take this medicine at the same time every day to maintain a constant level in the blood. It is a long-term treatment hence, do not stop the medicine without your doctor's consultation. Stopping this medicine abruptly can cause unwanted side effects or a sudden increase in your blood pressure. Amlodipine is not recommended to be used in children under 6 years unless prescribed by your doctor. Inform your doctor about all the medicines and supplements you are taking as this medicine can interact with them and result in side effects. If you have any pre-existing liver problems, then inform your doctor about them. If you are pregnant or are breastfeeding, then consult your doctor before taking Amlodipine.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Amlodipine

  • Swelling of ankles or feet
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Dizziness
  • Increased heartbeat
  • Redness of face, neck, arms and chest
  • Muscle pain
  • Heartburn
  • Acid or sour stomach
  • Stomach pain
  • Anxiety
  • Diarrhoea
  • Constipation
  • Sweating
  • Nausea
  • Stomach upset
  • Headache

Uses of Amlodipine

What is it prescribed for?

  • Hypertension
  • Angina pectoris
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The exact time at which Amlodipine starts to act in the body is unknown however, it will start to work gradually on the same day.
  • Duration of effect
    The effect of Amlodipine lasts for approximately 24 hours.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit forming tendency has been reported for Amlodipine.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    Amlodipine is not recommended for use in pregnant women as it may cause harm to your foetus. Do not take this medicine in pregnancy unless prescribed by your doctor.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    Amlodipine may be used in breastfeeding women as the level of Amlodipine in your breast milk is usually low. However, use it only on your doctor’s recommendation.

Allergy

Avoid taking Amlodipine if you are allergic to Amlodipine. This could lead to symptoms like redness, swelling, breathing difficulties, hives, etc. You should ask your doctor for another alternative if you have a known history of allergy to this medicine.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Amlodipine is not recommended for use in pregnant women as it may cause harm to your foetus. Do not take this medicine in pregnancy unless prescribed by your doctor.

Breast-feeding

Amlodipine may be used in breastfeeding women as the level of Amlodipine in your breast milk is usually low. However, use it only on your doctor’s recommendation.
General warnings

Hypotension

Amlodipine should be used with caution if you have severe aortic stenosis (narrowing of the aortic valve in the heart) and hypotension (low blood pressure). This medicine affects the contraction of the heart and will worsen your condition. Your doctor may adjust the Amlodipine dose as required.

Myocardial infarction or angina

Amlodipine should be used with caution if you have heart problems. This medicine weakens the contractions of your heart and slows down the heart rate which may further affect your heart. Your doctor may adjust the dose as required.

Impaired liver function

Amlodipine is absorbed in the liver. Hence it should be taken with caution if you have any medical condition of the liver, as it may lead to accumulation of the medicine and other side effects. Inform your doctor if you have any liver conditions, he may consider dose adjustments or other alternative medicine depending on your condition.

Use in children

The safety and efficacy of Amlodipine have not been established in children below 6 years of age.

Missed Dose

If you forgot to take the dose of Amlodipine at the given time, then take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.

Overdose

Never take more than the dose prescribed by your doctor. If you have intentionally or accidentally consumed more than the prescribed amount of Amlodipine, contact your doctor immediately for further guidance.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine

Carbamazepine

Dexamethasone

Itraconazole

Rifampicin

Disease interactions

Hypotension or cardiogenic shock

Amlodipine is not recommended for use in conditions such as hypotension (low blood pressure) or cardiogenic shock (a life-threatening situation in which your heart suddenly stops pumping enough blood to the body). It weakens the contractions of your heart muscle and slows down the heart rate, which further depresses blood pressure and cardiac output (amount of blood pumped by the heart in a minute). If this medicine is prescribed in such conditions, the heart functions need to be closely monitored.

Coronary artery disease

Amlodipine should be used with extreme caution in people with coronary artery diseases (a condition where the blood vessels of your heart are damaged, mainly due to build-up of plaque). This medicine may weaken the contractions of your heart and slow down the heart rate which may worsen the condition. If this medicine is prescribed in such conditions, the heart functions need to be closely monitored.
Food interactions
Consumption of grapefruit juice is not recommended during treatment with Amlodipine as grapefruit juice can increase the absorption of this medicine in your body. This could lead to excessive lowering of your blood pressure and side effects.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Amlodipine may be taken with or without food. Do not crush, break or chew the tablet. The dose prescribed is based on your situation, so avoid taking more or fewer doses than that prescribed by your doctor. This medicine is intended for long term treatment. You should not stop taking the medicine abruptly without your doctor's consultation as it can cause withdrawal symptoms. Be careful while standing up immediately from a sitting or lying down position as this medicine may sometimes cause a sudden drop in your blood pressure, which can make you dizzy. This medicine can cause dizziness, so try to avoid activities that require mental focus, especially at the beginning of the treatment or until you know how this medicine affects you. This medicine can cause swelling in your ankles and feet, so try raising your legs on a low stool when you are sitting. Consult a doctor if this swelling worries you.
Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

May cause sleepiness

How it works
Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker. It works by relaxing the blood vessels to reduce the pressure on them, thereby lowering the blood pressure. Thus, it also prevents any heart-related chest pain (angina) by improving blood flow and reducing the workload on the heart.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Calcium channel blocking agents

Schedule

Schedule H

Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. These highlights do not include all the information needed to use AMLODIPINE BESYLATE TABLETS safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for AMLODIPINE BESYLATE TABLETS. AMLODIPINE BESYLATE Tablets for oral administration Initial U.S. Approval: 1992. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 14 July 2021].

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=1cec7a02-b7a5-49e1-ab64-3a4dab4149d2>

Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Amlodipine 10 mg tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 14 July 2021].

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/24889>

Drugs, H., 2021. Amlodipine: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 14 July 2021].

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a692044.html>

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Information on this page was last updated on 9 Sep 2021

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.