Amlodipine is used to treat high blood pressure in adults and children older than six either on its own or in conjunction with other drugs. Additionally, certain forms of angina (chest pain) and coronary artery disease are treated with it (narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart). Amlodipine belongs to a group of drugs known as calcium channel blockers. By allowing the blood arteries to relax, it decreases blood pressure and lessens the workload on the heart’s pumping action. By boosting the flow of blood to the heart, it reduces chest pain. Amlodipine reduces chest discomfort when taken frequently, however it does not stop the onset of chest pain. When you experience chest pain, your doctor might advise you to take a different drug.

High blood pressure is a common illness that, if left untreated, can harm the kidneys, brain, heart, blood vessels, and other organs. Heart disease, a heart attack, heart failure, a stroke, renal failure, eyesight loss, and other issues may result from damage to these organs. Making lifestyle modifications will help you control your blood pressure in addition to taking medication. These adjustments include quitting smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation, eating a diet low in fat and salt, keeping a healthy weight, and exercising for at least 30 minutes most days.

Amlodipine is available as a tablet and a liquid suspension for oral use. Typically, it is given once day. Amlodipine should be taken at roughly the same time each day to help you remember to take it. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Administer amlodipine precisely as prescribed. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Before each use, thoroughly shake the suspension to combine the medication.

Amlodipine will likely be prescribed to you by your doctor at a low dosage and then gradually increased.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before taking amlodipine,

• If you have an allergy to any of the substances in amlodipine tablets or liquid, your doctor and pharmacist should be informed. Request a list of the components from your pharmacist.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products that you are now taking or intend to use. Incorporate any of the following: clarithromycin (Biaxin, in Prevpac); cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune); efavirenz (Sustiva); indinavir (Crixivan); certain medications for seizures such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek), and phenobarbital; the antifungal medications itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), lovastatin (Altoprev, in Advicor), nefazodone, nelfinavir (Viracept), nevirapine (Viramune), rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate), riton (Astragraf SL, Prograf). Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
• Inform your doctor if you now have or previously had heart failure, liver disease, or either.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking amlodipine.

If your doctor advises a low-salt or low-sodium diet, strictly follow the instructions.

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Amlodipine could have negative effects. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Hands, foot, ankles, or lower legs swelling
• Headache
• Uneasy stomach
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Unsteadiness or faintness
• Drowsiness
• Excessive fatigue
• Flushing

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if you encounter any of these symptoms, or seek emergency care:

• Chest pain that is worse or more persistent
• Irregular, hammering, or quick heartbeat
• Fainting

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Store the pills away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom). Avoid freezing the suspension when storing it, and shield it from light.

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Overdose symptoms could include:

• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Quick heartbeat

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments. Regular blood pressure checks are necessary to monitor your blood pressure and amlodipine response.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.