amlodipine besylate (Norvasc): Uses, Side Effects & Dosage (original) (raw)
- Uses
- Side Effects
- Dosage
- Drug Interactions
- Warnings & Precautions
- Things to Know
- Comments
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Brand Name: Norvasc
Generic Name: amlodipine besylate
Drug Class: Antianginal Agents
What is amlodipine besylate (Norvasc) and why is it used?
Amlodipine belongs to a class of medications called calcium channel blockers (CCBs).
Chest pain or heart pain (angina) occurs because of insufficient oxygen delivered to the heart muscles. Insufficient oxygen may be a result of coronary artery blockage or spasm, or because of exertion which increases the need of the heart for oxygen in patients with coronary artery narrowing (coronary artery disease or atherosclerosis). Amlodipine is used for the treatment and prevention of angina resulting from coronary spasms as well as from exertion. Amlodipine also is used in the treatment of high blood pressure.
What are the brand names for amlodipine besylate (Norvasc)?
Norvasc
Is amlodipine besylate (Norvasc) available as a generic drug?
Yes
Do I need a prescription for amlodipine besylate (Norvasc)?
Yes
What are the side effects of amlodipine besylate (Norvasc)?
Side effects of amlodipine are generally mild and reversible. The two most common side effects are:
Other side effects include:
- dizziness,
- flushing,
- fatigue,
- nausea, and
- palpitations.
More severe side effects include:
- increase in the frequency and severity of angina,
- heart attacks, and
- congestive heart failure.
An increase in the frequency and severity of angina or heart attack due to amlodipine happens on rare occasions in patients with severe coronary artery disease when first starting amlodipine, or at the time of an increase in dosage. Excessive lowering of blood pressure during initiation of amlodipine treatment can occur, especially in patients already taking other medications that lower blood pressure. In rare instances, congestive heart failure has been associated with amlodipine, particularly in patients already taking a beta-blocker.
What is the dosage for amlodipine besylate (Norvasc)?
The recommended starting dose of amlodipine for children and adults is 2.5 to 5 mg once daily. The maximum dose for adults is 10 mg once daily and the maximum dose for children is 5 mg once daily. Amlodipine can be taken with or without food. Amlodipine is inactivated mainly by the liver, and dosages may need to be lowered in patients with liver dysfunction.
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Which drugs or supplements interact with amlodipine besylate (Norvasc)?
- Combining amlodipine with sildenafil (Viagra) and similar drugs used for erectile dysfunction may lead to excessive reductions in blood pressure with complications, particularly fainting upon standing (orthostatic hypotension).
- Amlodipine significantly increases blood levels of simvastatin (Zocor). The dose of simvastatin should be limited to 20 mg daily by patients taking amlodipine.
- Ketoconazole (Nizoral, Extina, Xolegel, Kuric), itraconazole (Sporanox), ritonavir (Norvir), and other drugs that are potent inhibitors of amlodipine inactivation in the liver increase blood levels of amlodipine, resulting in excessive blood pressure reduction.
Is amlodipine besylate (Norvasc) safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
- Generally, amlodipine is avoided in pregnancy, and by nursing mothers and children although there are no adequate studies of amlodipine use during pregnancy.
- It is not known whether amlodipine is excreted in breast milk. Generally, amlodipine is avoided in pregnancy, and by nursing mothers and children.
Health News
What else should I know about amlodipine besylate (Norvasc)?
What preparations of amlodipine besylate (Norvasc) are available?
- Tablets: 2.5, 5, and 10 mg
How should I keep amlodipine besylate (Norvasc) stored?
- Amlodipine should be stored at room temperature in a tight, light-resistant container.
How does amlodipine besylate (Norvasc) work?
- Calcium channel blocker medications block the transport of calcium into the smooth muscle cells lining the arteries of the heart (coronary arteries) and other arteries of the body. Since the action of calcium is important for muscle contraction, blocking calcium transport relaxes arterial muscles and expands (dilates) coronary arteries and other arteries of the body. By dilating coronary arteries, amlodipine increases the flow of blood to the heart and is useful in preventing heart pain (angina) resulting from reduced flow of blood to the heart caused by coronary artery spasms (contraction). Relaxing the muscles lining the arteries in the rest of the body lowers blood pressure, which reduces the work that the heart must do to pump blood to the body. Reducing the work of the heart also lessens the heart muscle's need for oxygen, thereby further helping to prevent angina in patients with coronary artery disease.
When was amlodipine besylate (Norvasc) approved by the FDA?
- The FDA approved amlodipine in July 1992.
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Related Disease Conditions
- High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) High blood pressure (hypertension) occurs due to the tightening or stiffness of very small arteries called arterioles. As a result, the heart pumps harder through the stiff or narrow arterioles, leading to elevated pressure inside the vessels. Hypertension is known as 'the silent killer' because it often goes unnoticed and may cause serious complications such as kidney diseases, heart diseases, heart failure, and stroke.
- Chest Pain Chest pain is a common complaint by a patient in the ER. Causes of chest pain include broken or bruised ribs, pleurisy, pneumothorax, shingles, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, angina, heart attack, costochondritis, pericarditis, aorta or aortic dissection, and reflux esophagitis. Diagnosis and treatment of chest pain depends upon the cause and clinical presentation of the patient's chest pain.
- Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Congestive heart failure (CHF) refers to a condition in which the heart loses the ability to function properly. Heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, myocarditis, and cardiomyopathies are just a few potential causes of congestive heart failure. Symptoms of congestive heart failure may include fatigue, breathlessness, palpitations, angina, and edema.
- Fainting (Syncope) Fainting, passing out, blacking out, or syncope is the temporary loss of consciousness caused by a variety of situations such as vasovagal syncope, low blood pressure, and anemia. Learn about additional causes, symptoms, and prevention strategies.
- Things to Know About High Blood Pressure Treatment High blood pressure (hypertension) means high pressure (tension) in the arteries. Treatment for high blood pressure include lifestyle modifications (alcohol, smoking, coffee, salt, diet, exercise), drugs and medications such as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, beta blockers, diuretics, calcium channel blockers (CCBs), alpha blockers, clonidine, minoxidil, and Exforge.
- Angina Symptoms Classic angina symptoms are described as chest pressure that radiates down the arm, into the neck or jaw and is associated with shortness of breath and sweating. Typical angina symptoms should be made worse with activity and should resolve or get better with rest. Angina may not have any pain and instead may present as shortness of breath with exercise, malaise, fatigue, or weakness.
- Febrile Seizures Febrile seizures, or convulsions caused by fever, can be frightening in small children or infants. However, in general, febrile seizures are harmless. Febrile seizure is not epilepsy. It is estimated that one in every 25 children will have at least one febrile seizure. It is important to know what to do to help your child if he/she has a febrile seizure. Some of the features of a febrile seizure include losing consciousness, shaking, moving limbs on both sides of the body, and lasts 1-2 minutes. Less commonly, a febrile seizure may only affect one side of the body.
Treatment & Diagnosis
Medications & Supplements
- Drugs: Questions to Ask Your Doctor or Pharmacist about Your Drugs
- Drug Interactions
- Types of High Blood Pressure Medications
- diltiazem (Cardizem, Cardizem CD, Cardizem LA, Tiazac, Cartia XT, Diltzac, Dilt-CD, and several oth)
- Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs)
- Side Effects of Norvasc (amlodipine besylate)
- Side Effects of Exforge (amlodipine and valsartan)
- nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat, Afeditab)
- Lotrel (amlodipine and benazepril)
- verapamil (Calan, Verelan, Verelan PM [Discontinued: Isoptin, Isoptin SR, Covera-HS])
- felodipine (Plendil)
- nicardipine, Cardene, Cardene SR
- Azor (amlodipine and olmesartan medoxomil)
- nisoldipine (Sular)
- bepridil (Vascor)
- Tribenzor (olmesartan medoxomil, amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide)
- Consensi (amlodipine and celecoxib)
Prevention & Wellness
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References
Medically reviewed by John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP; Board Certified Emergency Medicine
REFERENCE:
FDA Prescribing Information