Amlodipine Besylate

What is Amlodipine?

Amlodipine (also known as Novasc) is an effective high blood pressure treatment, but it can also be used for angina and coronary artery disease.

How does Amlodipine work?

Amlodipine is a type of medication known as a calcium channel blocker. Calcium channel blockers work by relaxing and widening your blood vessels, so the blood can flow more easily. This means that the blood is under less pressure inside the blood vessels. If you have high blood pressure, it is important that you take medication to manage it, as it can reduce your chances of stroke, heart disease and other conditions.

How long does Amlodipine take to work?

Amlodipine will start to lower blood pressure is about 24 to 48 hours after the first dose.  The effect of each dose will last at least 24 hours. If you have been on Amlodipine for a long time, the effect will last several days after stopping the medication.

How effective is Amlodipine?

The effect of Amlodipine upon blood pressure varies from person to person, however, people who had a higher blood pressures to begin with have a 50% greater response than people who have close to normal blood pressure.

Active ingredients

The active ingredient in Amlodipine is amlodipine besylate. This is a type of calcium channel blocker. This works by relaxing and dilating the blood vessels to reduce your blood pressure.

Inactive ingredients

In addition to the active ingredient, amlodipine besylate, each tablet contains the following inactive ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, dibasic calcium phosphate anhydrous, sodium starch
glycolate, and magnesium stearate.

Which ingredients can cause an allergic reaction?

A severe allergic reaction to Amlodipine is rare as it does not contain any active or inactive ingredients associated with allergic reactions. However, if you have previously had an allergic reaction to this medication or are specifically allergic to one of the ingredients, please refrain from taking this medication. Make sure to let your prescribing doctor know. A severe allergic reaction presents with swelling of the face, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing and a rash. Please seek medical attention if you notice any of these symptoms after taking amlodipine. 

Amlodipine dosage

Your doctor will discuss which dosage of Amlodipine is most suitable for you to take. This will either be 2.5mg, 5mg or 10mg taken as a single dose at approximately the same time every day. It may be recommended that you take Amlodipine with or without food and in either mornings or evenings.

How to take Amlodipine

Amlodipine can be taken without or with food. It is usually dosed once a day.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Amlodipine?

If you miss a dose of Amlodipine you should take it as soon as possible unless it is within 6-8 hours of your next scheduled dose.

What should I do if I take too much Amlodipine?

Taking too much Amlodipine could cause your blood pressure to drop dangerously low, causing fainting and other problems. If you are unsure about what to do, you should contact the prescribing physician.

Side Effects

The most common side effects include headache, swelling, fatigue, dizziness, and overgrowth of the gums.

Less common side effects include:

• Difficult or labored breathing
• Dizziness
• Fast, irregular, pounding, or racing pulse
• Feeling warm
• Redness of the face, neck, arms,
• Shortness of breath
• Tightness in the chest
• Wheezing

Contraindications

The following conditions are contraindicated for Amlodipine:

• Any history of hypersensitivity to the active or inactive ingredients
• High-grade aortic stenosis
• Unstable heart failure

Drug Interactions

Amlodipine may interact negatively with the following medicines and supplements. You should try to avoid using any of the following medicines alongside Amlodipine. Always let the prescribing doctor know if you are taking any other medications.

• Aspirin
• Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
• Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
• Benazepril (Lotensin)
• Calcium supplements
• Vitamin D supplements
• CoQ10 (ubiquinone)
• Crestor (rosuvastatin)
• Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril, Fexmid, Amrix)
• Cymbalta (duloxetine)
• Omega-3 supplements including fish oil
• Ibuprofen
• Hydrochlorothiazide

Please note that some blood pressure medications such as Amlodipine can also interact with foods in the grapefruit family. These foods can allow the Amlodipine to have stronger effects, potentially causing dangerously low blood pressure. Therefore you should avoid eating or drinking the juice of:

• Grapefruits (pink, red, white and oro blanco varieties)
• Seville oranges
• Pomelos
• Tangelos