This entry was migrated from the earlier Pharmapedia app bundle and has not been reviewed by a named clinician on this site. It is provided for educational reference only — verify dosage and safety information against current, authoritative sources and a qualified healthcare professional before any clinical use.
Amlodipine besylate belongs to a class of medications called calcium channel blockers. It lowers blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels, so the heart does not have to pump as hard.
Amlodipine is used to treat certain types of angina (chest pain) and other conditions caused by coronary artery disease (narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart).
Amlodipine besylate controls chest pain by increasing the supply of blood to the heart. If taken regularly, this medicine controls chest pain, but it does not stop chest pain once it starts. Your doctor may prescribe a different medication to take when you have chest pain.
Amlodipine is also used alone or in combination with other medicines to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults and children at least 6 years old. Lowering blood pressure may lower your risk of a stroke or heart attack .
Amlodipine besylate is available as:
Amlodipine 5 mg tablets (Norvasc) Amlodipine 10 mg tablets (Norvasc) Amlodipine 2.5 mg tablets (Norvasc) Amlodipine 1 mg/mL solution (Norliqva) Amlodipine 1 mg/mL oral suspension (Katerzia) Amlodipine single-dose powder for oral solution (Sdamlo).
Indications
Amlodipine besylate belongs to a class of medications called calcium channel blockers. It lowers blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels, so the heart does not have to pump as hard.
Amlodipine is used to treat certain types of angina (chest pain) and other conditions caused by coronary artery disease (narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart).
Amlodipine besylate controls chest pain by increasing the supply of blood to the heart. If taken regularly, this medicine controls chest pain, but it does not stop chest pain once it starts. Your doctor may prescribe a different medication to take when you have chest pain.
Amlodipine is also used alone or in combination with other medicines to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults and children at least 6 years old. Lowering blood pressure may lower your risk of a stroke or heart attack .
Amlodipine besylate is available as:
Amlodipine 5 mg tablets (Norvasc) Amlodipine 10 mg tablets (Norvasc) Amlodipine 2.5 mg tablets (Norvasc) Amlodipine 1 mg/mL solution (Norliqva) Amlodipine 1 mg/mL oral suspension (Katerzia) Amlodipine single-dose powder for oral solution (Sdamlo).
Contraindications
You should not take amlodipine if you are allergic to it.
To make sure this medicine is safe for you, 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.
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.
Side Effects
No side effects information is recorded for this medicine yet.
Warnings
Before taking amlodipine besylate, tell your doctor if you have congestive heart failure or liver disease.
Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects of amlodipine.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using amlodipine even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
Amlodipine is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, and other medications. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.
Tell your doctor about all other heart or blood pressure medications you are taking.
Your chest pain may become worse when you first start taking amlodipine or when your dose is increased. Call your doctor if your chest pain is severe or ongoing.
High Risk Groups
Before taking amlodipine besylate, tell your doctor if you have congestive heart failure or liver disease.
Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects of amlodipine.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using amlodipine even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
Amlodipine is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, and other medications. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.
Tell your doctor about all other heart or blood pressure medications you are taking.
Your chest pain may become worse when you first start taking amlodipine or when your dose is increased. Call your doctor if your chest pain is severe or ongoing.
Adult Dosage
Scraped Dose — Take amlodipine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.
Amlodipine is usually taken once per day.
Take the medicine at the same time each day, with or without food.
Shake the oral suspension (liquid). Measure a dose with the supplied measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).
Amlodipine for oral solution (Sdamlo) comes as a powder that you must mix with water to make a liquid (solution) before taking or giving it. Throw away Sdamlo if you do not take or give it within 60 minutes of mixing and get a new bottle. Do not store mixed Sdamlo.
Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.
If you have high blood pressure, keep using amlodipine even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.
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.
Store amlodipine tablets and oral solution (liquid) at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
Store amlodipine oral suspension in the refrigerator; do not freeze.
Child Dosage
No child dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.
Neonatal Dosage
No neonatal dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.
Drug Interactions
Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you use, which may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective.
Other drugs may interact with amlodipine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins , and herbal products . Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.
Storage
No storage information is recorded for this medicine yet.
