Amlodipine (By mouth)

Introduction

Amlodipine (am-LOE-di-peen)

Used alone or together with other medicines to treat high blood pressure or chest pain (angina). Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of strokes and heart attacks. This medicine is a calcium channel blocker.

Brand Name(s)

Norvasc, Hypertenipine-2.5

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

How to Use This Medicine

Tablet, Dissolving Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• Take this medicine at the same time each day.
• You may take this medicine with or without food.
• Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet.
• This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose. Do not take this medicine if it has been more than 12 hours since you missed your last dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• There are many other medicines that can interact with amlodipine. Make sure your doctor knows about all other medicines you are using. This includes over-the-counter medicines that can increase your blood pressure (such as diet pills, cold and allergy medicines, or asthma medicines).
• Tell your doctor if you are also using diltiazem (Cardizem®, Dilacor® XR), ritonavir (Norvir®), or medicine to treat a fungal infection (such as itraconazole, ketoconazole, Nizoral®, or Sporanox®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, a recent heart attack, heart or blood vessel disease (such as severe obstructive coronary artery disease), low blood pressure, or severe aortic stenosis (narrowing of a valve in your heart).
• This medicine will not cure your high blood pressure, but it does help control it. You must continue to take it as directed if you expect to lower your blood pressure and keep it down. You may have to take high blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.
• This medicine may make you lightheaded, dizzy, or faint, especially when you get up from a lying or sitting position suddenly. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert. Getting up slowly may also help.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.
• If you stop using this medicine, your blood pressure may go up or your angina may get worse. High blood pressure usually has no symptoms. Even if you feel well, do not stop using the medicine without asking your doctor.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Chest pain (may be related to your disease and not a side effect).
• Dark-colored urine or pale stools.
• Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting.
• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or pain in your upper stomach.
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
• Unusual tiredness or weakness.
• Warmth or redness in your face, neck, arms, or upper chest.
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Headache.
• Mild nausea, or stomach pain or discomfort.
• Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

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