Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

US Brand Name

1. Katerzia
2. Norliqva
3. Norvasc

Descriptions

Amlodipine is used alone or together with other medicines to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). High blood pressure adds to the workload of the heart and arteries. If it continues for a long time, the heart and arteries may not function properly. This can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, resulting in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. High blood pressure may also increase the risk of heart attacks. These problems may be less likely to occur if blood pressure is controlled.

Amlodipine is also used to relieve chronic stable angina (chest pain) or vasospastic angina (Prinzmetal's or variant angina). This medicine is also used to lower the risk of hospitalization for angina and heart surgery (eg, coronary revascularization) in patients with recently documented coronary artery disease (CAD) by angiography and without certain heart problems (eg, heart failure or an ejection fraction less than 40%).

Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker. It works by affecting the movement of calcium into the cells of the heart and blood vessels. This relaxes the blood vessels and lowers blood pressure, and increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart while reducing its workload.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

• Solution
• Suspension
• Tablet

Before Using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of amlodipine to lower blood pressure in children younger than 6 years of age or to relieve chest pain in children. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of amlodipine in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney, liver, or heart problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving this medicine.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Abametapir
• Atazanavir
• Carbamazepine
• Ceritinib
• Clarithromycin
• Clopidogrel
• Conivaptan
• Cyclosporine
• Dantrolene
• Darunavir
• Digoxin
• Domperidone
• Droperidol
• Epirubicin
• Erythromycin
• Fedratinib
• Fexinidazole
• Fosnetupitant
• Itraconazole
• Lacosamide
• Mavacamten
• Melphalan
• Netupitant
• Omaveloxolone
• Phenobarbital
• Piperaquine
• Primidone
• Rifampin
• Ritonavir
• Simvastatin
• Tacrolimus
• Tegafur
• Telaprevir

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Amprenavir
• Aprepitant
• Boceprevir
• Cimetidine
• Ciprofloxacin
• Clofazimine
• Cobicistat
• Crizotinib
• Diltiazem
• Dronedarone
• Duvelisib
• Fluconazole
• Fluvoxamine
• Fosamprenavir
• Idelalisib
• Indinavir
• Ketoconazole
• Letermovir
• Lonafarnib
• Mifepristone
• Nefazodone
• Nelfinavir
• Nilotinib
• Posaconazole
• Ribociclib
• Rifapentine
• Saquinavir
• Schisandra sphenanthera
• Telithromycin
• Troleandomycin
• Tucatinib
• Verapamil
• Voriconazole
• Voxelotor

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Angina (chest pain) or
• Heart attack, acute or
• Heart or blood vessel disease (eg, coronary artery disease) or
• Hypotension (low blood pressure)—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

• Aortic stenosis (heart valve problem), severe or
• Heart or blood vessel disease—Use with caution. May cause side effects to become worse.

• Liver disease—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.

Proper Use

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

In addition to the use of this medicine, treatment for your high blood pressure may include weight control and changes in the types of foods you eat, especially foods high in sodium (salt). Your doctor will tell you which of these are most important for you. You should check with your doctor before changing your diet.

Many patients who have high blood pressure will not notice any signs of the problem. In fact, many may feel normal. It is very important that you take your medicine exactly as directed and that you keep your appointments with your doctor even if you feel well.

Remember that this medicine will not cure your high blood pressure, but it does help control it. Therefore, you must continue to take it as directed if you expect to lower your blood pressure and keep it down. You might have to take high blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life. If high blood pressure is not treated, it can cause serious problems such as heart failure, blood vessel disease, strokes, or kidney disease.

Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.

You may take this medicine with or without food. Take it at the same time each day.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage forms (solution, suspension, or tablets):
  • For angina (chest pain):
    • Adults—5 to 10 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 10 mg per day.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For high blood pressure:
    • Adults—At first, 5 milligrams (mg) once a day. Some patients may be started on 2.5 mg once a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 10 mg per day.
    • Children 6 to 17 years of age—2.5 to 5 mg once a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 5 mg per day.
    • Children younger than 6 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Do not take this medicine if it has been more than 12 hours since you missed your last dose.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your or your child's progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine may cause worsening of angina (chest pain) or a heart attack in certain patients with severe heart or blood vessel disease. Check with your doctor right away if you are having chest pain or discomfort, fast or irregular heartbeat, nausea or vomiting, pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck, trouble breathing, or sweating.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may also occur, especially when you get up suddenly from a lying or sitting position. If you feel dizzy, lie down so you do not faint. Then sit for a few moments before standing to prevent the dizziness from returning. If you faint, call your doctor right away.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may also occur if you exercise or if the weather is hot. Heavy sweating can cause loss of too much water and result in low blood pressure. Use extra care during exercise or hot weather.

Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.

If you have been using this medicine regularly for several weeks, do not suddenly stop using it. Stopping suddenly may cause your chest pain or high blood pressure to come back or get worse. Check with your doctor for the best way to reduce gradually the amount you are taking before stopping completely.

After taking a dose of this medicine you may get a headache that lasts for a short time. This should become less noticeable after you have taken this medicine for a while. If this effect continues, or if the headaches are severe, check with your doctor.

In some patients, tenderness, swelling, or bleeding of the gums may appear soon after treatment with this medicine is started. Brushing and flossing your teeth carefully and regularly and massaging your gums may help prevent this. See your dentist regularly to have your teeth cleaned. Check with your doctor or dentist if you have any questions about how to take care of your teeth and gums, or if you notice any tenderness, swelling, or bleeding of your gums.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This especially includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hay fever, or sinus problems, and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

1. Swelling of the ankles or feet

Less common

1. Chest tightness
2. difficult or labored breathing
3. dizziness
4. fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
5. feeling of warmth
6. redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest

Rare

1. Black, tarry stools
2. bleeding gums
3. blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
4. blood in the urine or stools
5. blurred vision
6. burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
7. chest pain or discomfort
8. chills
9. cold and clammy skin
10. cold sweats
11. confusion
12. cough
13. dark yellow urine
14. diarrhea
15. dilated neck veins
16. dizziness or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position
17. extra heartbeats
18. fainting
19. fever
20. itching of the skin
21. joint or muscle pain
22. large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
23. numbness and tingling of the face, fingers, or toes
24. pain in the arms, legs, or lower back, especially pain in the calves or heels upon exertion
25. painful or difficult urination
26. pale, bluish-colored, or cold hands or feet
27. pinpoint red or purple spots on the skin
28. red, irritated eyes
29. redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
30. redness, soreness or itching skin
31. shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
32. slow or irregular heartbeat
33. sore throat
34. sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
35. sores, welting, or blisters
36. sudden sweating
37. sweating
38. swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
39. swollen glands
40. trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
41. unsteadiness or awkwardness
42. unusual bleeding or bruising
43. unusual tiredness or weakness
44. weak or absent pulses in the legs
45. weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
46. weight gain
47. yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not known

1. Clay-colored stools
2. difficulty with speaking
3. drooling
4. headache
5. loss of appetite
6. loss of balance control
7. muscle trembling, jerking, or stiffness
8. nausea
9. rash
10. shuffling walk
11. stomach pain
12. twisting movements of the body
13. uncontrolled movements, especially of the face, neck, and back
14. unpleasant breath odor
15. vomiting of blood
16. yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

1. Acid or sour stomach
2. belching
3. feeling of warmth
4. heartburn
5. indigestion
6. lack or loss of strength
7. muscle cramps
8. redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
9. sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
10. stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

Rare

1. Abnormal dreams
2. anxiety
3. back pain
4. bad unusual or unpleasant (after) taste
5. bleeding gums
6. blistering, crusting, irritation, itching, or reddening of the skin
7. bloating
8. bloody nose
9. burning feeling in the chest or stomach
10. burning while urinating
11. burning, dry, or itching eyes
12. change in color of the treated skin
13. change in sense of smell
14. change in taste
15. changes in vision
16. constipation
17. continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
18. cracked, dry, or scaly skin
19. decreased sexual performance or desire
20. depression
21. difficulty with moving
22. difficulty with swallowing
23. discharge, excessive tearing
24. double vision
25. dry mouth
26. dryness of the skin
27. excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
28. excessive muscle tone
29. eye pain
30. feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
31. feeling of unreality
32. feeling unusually cold
33. flushed, dry skin
34. fruit-like breath odor
35. full feeling
36. general feeling of discomfort or illness
37. hair loss or thinning of the hair
38. headache, severe and throbbing
39. hearing loss
40. increased appetite
41. increased hunger
42. increased sweating
43. increased thirst
44. increased urge to urinate during the night
45. increased urination
46. irritability
47. irritation in the mouth
48. lack of feeling or emotion
49. loose stools
50. loss of memory
51. muscle pains, stiffness, tension, tightness, or weakness
52. nervousness
53. pain
54. pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
55. passing gas
56. problems with memory
57. redness and swelling of the gums
58. redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
59. restlessness
60. runny nose
61. seeing double
62. sensation of spinning
63. sense of detachment from self or body
64. shakiness and unsteady walk
65. shivering
66. sneezing
67. stuffy nose
68. sweating
69. swollen joints
70. tenderness in the stomach area
71. thirst
72. trouble in holding or releasing urine
73. trouble sleeping
74. twitching
75. uncaring
76. unexplained weight loss
77. unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
78. waking to urinate at night
79. weight loss

Incidence not known

1. Swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Portions of this document last updated: April 01, 2024

Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/amlodipine-oral-route/description/drg-20061784