Drug Name

Norvasc (Amlodipine)

Drug Uses

Norvasc is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) as well as to treat angina (chest pain). Norvasc may as well as be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

How Taken

Norvasc comes as a tablet to take it orally. It is usually used once a day. Norvasc may cause an upset stomach. Take Norvasc with food or milk. Talk to your doctor before using salt substitutes containing potassium. Incase your doctor prescribes a low-salt or low-sodium diet, follow these directions carefully.

Drug Class as well as Mechanism

Amlodipine belongs to a class of medications called calcium channel blockers. These medications block the transport of calcium into the level muscle cells lining the coronary arteries as well as other arteries of the body. Since calcium is substantial in muscle contraction, blocking calcium transport relaxes artery muscles as well as dilates coronary arteries as well as other arteries of the body. By relaxing coronary arteries, amlodipine is useful in preventing chest pain (angina) resulting from coronary artery spasm. Relaxing the muscles lining the arteries of the rest of the body lowers the blood pressure, which reduces the burden on the heart as it pumps blood to the body. Reducing heart burden lessens the heart muscle's demand for oxygen, as well as further helps to halt angina in patients with coronary artery disease.

Missed Dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. But, incase it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose as well as take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

Storage

Store bottles at controlled room temperature, 59° to 86°F (15° to 30°C) as well as dispense in close, light-resistant containers.

Warnings/Precautions

Before using Norvasc, tell your doctor incase you possess liver disease; or another disease of the heart or blood vessels such as sick sinus syndrome, aortic stenosis, heart failure, abridged blood pressure, or coronary artery disease. You may not be capable to take Norvasc, or you may require a dosage adjustment or distinguished monitoring during treatment incase you possess any of the conditions listed above. Norvasc is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether Norvasc will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without earliest talking to your doctor incase you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether Norvasc passes into breast milk. Do not take this medication without earliest talking to your doctor incase you are breast-feeding a baby.

Likely Side Effects

Incase you experience any of the following humorless side effects, halt using Norvasc as well as contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency health examination treatment:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives
• unusually quick or unhurried heartbeat;
• chest pain;
• very bad dizziness or fainting;
• psychosis;
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
• swelling of the legs or ankles.

Other, less humorless side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Norvasc as well as talk to your doctor incase you experience

• fatigue or tiredness;
• headache;
• insomnia;
• vivid or abnormal dreams;
• flushing;
• abdominal pain;
• nausea, diarrhea, or constipation; or
• increased or difficult urination.

Side effects other than those listed here may as well as occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

More Information

• Incase you experience any of the following humorless side effects, halt using amlodipine as well as contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency health examination treatment:
  • an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
  • unusually quick or unhurried heartbeat;
  • chest pain;
  • very bad dizziness or fainting;
  • psychosis;
  • jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
  • swelling of the legs or ankles.
• Other, less humorless side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take amlodipine as well as talk to your doctor incase you experience
  • fatigue or tiredness;
  • headache;
  • insomnia;
  • vivid or abnormal dreams;
  • flushing;
  • abdominal pain;
  • nausea, diarrhea, or constipation; or
  • increased or difficult urination.
• Side effects other than those listed here may as well as occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.