Amlodipine is a prescription medicine used primarily to treat high blood pressure in adults and kids at least 6 years old.
It’s also given to treat chest pain (angina) and other conditions caused by heart disease.
Amlodipine is in a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers. The medicine works by relaxing blood vessels and increasing the supply of blood to the heart.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved this medicine in 1987. It’s marketed as Norvasc by Pfizer.
uses
What is Norvasc (Amlodipine) used for?
- Hypertension
- Pre-eclampsia/Eclampsia
- Angina Pectoris
- Heart Disease
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Ischemic Heart Disease
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Hypertensive Congestive Heart Failure
- Hypertensive Heart (w/ CHF) and Renal Disease
- Hypertensive Heart (w/o CHF) and Renal Disease
- Hypertensive Renal Disease
- Hypertensive Retinopathy
- Renovascular Hypertension
- Hypertensive Encephalopathy
- Hypertensive Heart Disease
- Prinzmetal's Angina
warnings
What is the most important information I should know about Norvasc (Amlodipine)?
You should not take amlodipine if you are allergic to it.
It is not known if amlodipine will harm an unborn baby. However, having high blood pressure during pregnancy may cause complications or medical problems in both mother and baby. The benefit of treating hypertension may outweigh any risks to the baby.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- severe narrowing of a certain valve in your heart (aortic stenosis), or other heart problems;
- coronary artery disease (clogged arteries); or
- liver disease.
User Reviews & Rating
Overall rating for Norvasc (Amlodipine)
Side Effects
What are the side effects of Norvasc (Amlodipine)?
Get emergency medical help if you have hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. signs of an allergic reaction:
In rare cases, when you first start taking amlodipine, your chest pain may get worse or you could have a heart attack. chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating. Seek emergency medical attention or call your doctor right away if you have symptoms such as:
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- worsening chest pain; or
- a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out.
- dizziness, drowsiness;
- swelling of your legs or ankles;
- irregular heartbeat;
- pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
- muscle stiffness;
- uncontrolled muscle movements;
- feeling tired;
- stomach pain, nausea; or
- flushing (sudden warmth, redness, or tingly feeling).
Common side effects may include:
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Can I take Norvasc (Amlodipine) if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
It is not known if amlodipine will harm an unborn baby. However, having high blood pressure during pregnancy may cause complications or medical problems in both mother and baby. The benefit of treating hypertension may outweigh any risks to the baby.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Interactions
What drugs and food should I avoid while taking Norvasc (Amlodipine)?
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.
Dosage Guidelines & Tips
How to take Norvasc (Amlodipine)?
Use Norvasc (Amlodipine) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Amlodipine is usually taken once per day.
Take the medicine at the same time each day, with or without food.
Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.
If you have high blood pressure, High blood pressure often has no symptoms. keep using this medicine even if you feel well.
Do not change your doses or stop taking any of your medications without your doctor's advice.
Your treatment may also include diet, exercise, weight control, and blood tests.
Shake the (liquid). Measure a dose with the supplied measuring device (not a kitchen spoon). oral suspension
Store amlodipine and (liquid) at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. tabletsoral solution
Store amlodipine in the refrigerator, do not freeze. oral suspension
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if you are more than 12 hours late for the dose. take two doses at one time. Do not
Overdose Signs
What happens if I overdose on Norvasc (Amlodipine)?
Overdose symptoms may include rapid heartbeats, redness or warmth in your arms or legs, or fainting.
What to Expect
Norvasc starts working the day you take it, but it might take a couple of weeks for the full effects to kick in.
If you’re using this medicine for angina, it will probably take a couple of weeks before you to feel better.
You might not notice any difference in how you feel if you’re using Norvasc for high blood pressure. This doesn’t mean that the medicine isn’t working.
Keep taking Norvasc unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
Additional Dosage Information
Your dosage will depend on your medical condition, age, overall health, and other factors.
The maximum dose is typically 5 milligrams (mg) a day for kids and 10 mg a day for adults.
Your doctor may lower or adjust your dose if you have liver problems or take other blood pressure medicines.
Secondary Uses
Sometimes, doctors prescribe Norvasc “off-label” to treat other conditions, such as:
- Raynaud's disease
- Diabetic nephropathy
- Left ventricular hypertrophy
- Silent myocardial ischemia
Images
NORVASC, 2.5
Color: white
Shape: diamond
Imprint: NORVASC, 2.5
NORVASC 5
Color: white
Shape: octagonal
Imprint: NORVASC 5
NORVASC 10
Color: white
Shape: round
Imprint: NORVASC 10