Uses

AMLODIPINE (Norvasc) is a calcium-channel blocker. It affects the amount of calcium found in your heart and muscle cells. This results in relaxation of blood vessels, which can reduce the amount of work the heart has to do. Amlodipine lowers high blood pressure (hypertension). It also relieves different types of chest pain (angina). It is not a cure. Generic amlodipine tablets are not yet available.

How to take

Take amlodipine tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. You can take the tablets with or without food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often then directed. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice. Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed. Elderly patients over 65 years old may have a stronger reaction to this medicine and need smaller doses.

Side Effects

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:; fainting spells, lightheadedness; irregular heartbeat, chest pain, palpitations; swelling of legs and ankles Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):; drowsiness or dizziness; facial flushing; headache; nausea, vomiting; stomach pain or gas; unusual weakness or tiredness

Precaution

Check your blood pressure and pulse rate regularly; this is important while you are taking amlodipine. Ask your prescriber or health care professional what your blood pressure and pulse rate should be and when you should contact him or her. You may feel dizzy or lightheaded. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how amlodipine affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells, do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Avoid alcoholic drinks; they can make you more dizzy, increase flushing and rapid heartbeats. Do not suddenly stop taking amlodipine. Ask your prescriber or health care professional how you can gradually reduce the dose. If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking amlodipine.

Drug interactions

Do not take Amlodipine with any of the following:; alfuzosin Amlodipine may also interact with the following medications:; antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen); barbiturates such as phenobarbital; bosentan; grapefruit juice; herbal or dietary supplements such as ginger, gingko biloba, ginseng, hawthorn, ma huang (ephedra), melatonin, St. John's wort, went yeast; imatinib, STI-571; local anesthetics or general anesthetics; medicines for fungal infections (fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole); medicines for high blood pressure; medicines for HIV infection or AIDS; medicines for prostate problems; medicines for seizures (carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, zonisamide); quinine; rifampin, rifapentine, or rifabutin; some antibiotics (clarithromycin, erythromycin, norfloxacin, telithromycin, troleandomycin); some medicines for heart-rhythm problems (amiodarone, diltiazem, verapamil); some medicines for depression or mental problems (fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, nefazodone); water pills (diuretics); yohimbine; zafirlukast; zileuton Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open. Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from light. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.