Amlodipine is a drug that is consumed by means of drinking, its use is to treat several health conditions related to cardiovascular. Drugs used in America usually have the brand name “Norvasc.”
Amlodipine is usually used by doctors to treat someone who has a heart problem such as having high blood pressure. In addition to this disease, doctors also often prescribe amlodipine drugs to treat angina and coronary arteries.
This paper aims to provide information about amlodipine. How do doctors prescribe this drug and how it is administered. In addition, we also wrote amlodipine side effects, warnings, interactions, considerations before taking amlodipine and other alternatives.
What is Amlodipine?
Amlodipine is a prescription medication used to lower blood pressure. It is part of a class of medications called calcium channel blockers (CCBs). CCBs work by relaxing the smooth muscle in the walls of blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure.
Amlodipine is available as a generic medication and is also marketed under the brand names Norvasc and Istin.
Amlodipine can be used alone or in combination with other blood pressure medications.
The most common side effects of amlodipine are headache, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea.
Amlodipine is a prescription medication used to lower blood pressure. It is part of a class of medications called calcium channel blockers (CCBs). CCBs work by relaxing the smooth muscle in the walls of blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure.
Amlodipine is available as a generic medication and is also marketed under the brand names Norvasc and Istin.
Amlodipine can be used alone or in combination with other blood pressure medications.
The most common side effects of amlodipine are headache, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea.
Amlodipine is generally well-tolerated, but some people may experience side effects. The most common side effects are headache, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea. Less common side effects include edema (swelling), constipation, and rash. If you experience any of these side effects, consult your doctor.
Amlodipine may interact with other medications. Be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you take, including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Amlodipine should not be taken with grapefruit juice or grapefruit products as this may increase the level of amlodipine in your blood and increase the risk of side effects.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, amlodipine is not recommended. Amlodipine may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby.
Amlodipine is a prescription medication used to lower blood pressure. It’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions when taking this medication. Take amlodipine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The usual starting dose is 5 mg once daily. Your doctor may increase the dose to 10 mg once daily if needed.
Amlodipine may be taken with or without food. If you miss a dose of amlodipine, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at one time.
Amlodipine is a prescription medication used to lower blood pressure. It’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions when taking this medication. Take amlodipine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The usual starting dose is 5 mg once daily. Your doctor may increase the dose to 10 mg once daily if needed.
Amlodipine may be taken with or without food. If you miss a dose of amlodipine, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at one time.
If you have any questions about amlodipine, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Amlodipine to treat what diseases?
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has agreed that this drug has been used to treat certain diseases since 1987. The FDA says the drug Amlodipine is safe and effective for treating diseases such as:
- High blood pressure, which is often called hypertension
- Coronary Artery
- Chest pain or angina, due to inadequate heart blood flow
In addition, doctors also use the drug amlodipine to treat patients with other health problems, this is also called “unlabeled” treatment, it is said because the FDA has not approved the use of amlodipine for diseases other than those mentioned above.
Based on one source, the use of amlodipine as a drug “outside the label” is to treat diseases such as:
- Diabetic nephropathy
- Raynaud’s phenomenon
- left ventricular hypertrophy
- silent myocardial ischemia
Dosage for using amlodipine
There is no rigid dose, all depends on the patient’s condition and in the reaction of the drug to the disease, he should be able to react. In addition, doctors also pay attention to and consider the patient’s age and medical history, then prescribe the drug.
Based on information from the FDA, amlodipine consists of several variations. There are tablets, capsules, with various sizes including 2.5 mg, 5 mg, up to 10 mg.
Amlodipine drugs are often prescribed with various dosage sizes, while the FDA recommends the following dosages:
To treat high blood pressure:
- Adults: Once a day at a dose of 5 mg, and the maximum dose is 10 mg.
- For elderly patients or patients who have liver problems: 2.5 mg once a day.
- While for children aged 6-17 years, the FDA recommends 2.5 mg or 5 mg once a day.
The FDA also explained that doctors adjust the dosage to the conditions they want to achieve, but after waiting for the results of the first administration for 7 days or 14 days.
The following dosages are recommended for angina patients, both chronic stable or vasospastic angina:
- Adults: 5 to 10 mg once a day. Many patients must consume up to 10 mg so that the drug runs optimally in treating angina.
- For parents or patients with problems with the liver: 5 mg once a day.
To treat chronic arteries:
- Adults: 5 to 10 mg once a day.
- For the elderly or patients with problems with the liver: 5 mg once a day.
For patients who have difficulty swallowing drugs such as children and some elderly people, doctors can still give amlodipine for intravenous injection or drip.
Amlodipine Side Effects
The FDA has conducted a clinical trial to determine the safety level of the drug amlodipine. They conducted tests on 11,000 patients. Based on the results of the study, this drug rarely gives a problem if taken every day at a dose of 10 mg.
However, the common side effects include:
Some side effects that often appear in patients who take drugs, both to treat angina or treat other diseases that have been recommended earlier.
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In general, here are some side effects that occur:
- Edema: This is a swelling that can occur in several different parts of the body. Usually, edema occurs in the legs and wrists.
- Dizzy
- Flushing
- Irregular or weakened heartbeat
Unusual amlodipine side effects:
- Headache,
- Fatigue,
- nausea
- Abdominal pain
Amlodipine Interactions
Amlodipine is a drug that must be used carefully, must be in accordance with the direction of the doctor. This drug can interact with several types of drugs, including:
- Simvastatin. The FDA recommends that patients taking amlodipine limit the dose of simvastatin to 20 mg every day.
- CYP3A4 inhibitors. This is a drug that inhibits the CYP3A4 enzyme. For those who consume amlodipine, if they coincide with this drug, they can increase the concentration of amlodipine in blood. Drugs intended include diltiazem, itraconazole, ketoconazole, and ritonavir. The FDA ordered doctors to monitor users of the CYP3A4 inhibitors and amlodipine drugs, to see symptoms of edema and low blood pressure.
- Cyclosporine. Taking amlodipine and cyclosporine in patients who have had kidney surgery can cause interactions in the form of an increase in cyclosporine in the body.
Note: For patients, it is very important to tell the doctor about all the drugs they consume if they want to seek treatment with amlodipine. Likewise, if he consumes herbs or supplements, so that they are safe for health.
