How does Amlodopine work?
Amlodipine belongs to a class of drugs known as calcium channel blockers.The brand name for Amlodipine is Norvasc.
Amlodipine is used for the treatment of high blood pressure. It works by relaxing and widening blood vessels. This lowers your blood pressure and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body. Amlodipine can be also used for the treatment of angina. Amlodipine works by improving the blood supply to your heart.
Dosing and administration of Amlodipine?
The doses for amlodipine are 2.5mg, 5mg and 10mg.
In older adults I start at the lowest dose at 2.5 mg and titrate slowly. If you are younger or middle aged your doctor might start you on a higher dose such as 5mg.Usually when titrating the dose up, I wait 7-14 days before changing the dose.
In my experience for better control of coronary artery disease and chronic stable angina patients end up being titrated to 10mg daily. Of course, the higher the dose the higher the chances of side effects.
What are some of the side effects?
- Feeling tired or drowsy
- Gi side effects such as stomach pain, nausea; or
- Flushing & redness and feeling warm especially in the facial and neck area.
- Worsening chest pain
- Heart palpitations or fluttering of the heart
- Swelling in your feet, ankles and lower extremities
- Feeling dizzy and the feeling you might pass out
- Muscle rigidity, tremor and/or abnormal muscle movement
Your doctor will not use Amlodipine if your blood pressure is low.
If you have a condition called aortic stenosis which will obstruct the flow of blood from the left chamber of your heart into the aorta.
Your Doctor will also not use the drug If you have unstable heart failure or if you have had allergic reactions to drugs in the same drug class called dihydropyridines.
Hacks to reduce side effects:
- 1)I tell my patients to be patient. (Did you like that little play with words?) The most common side effects include headache, flushing, feeling tired and swollen ankles. These usually improve after a few days.
- 2) If you do have to stop Amlodipine because of side effects do not stop taking Amlodipine suddenly. It is better to slowly decrease the dosage over a period of time. Your doctor may advise you to take sublingual nitroglycerin for any break-through angina.
- 3) If you do have leg & ankle swelling do not stop taking your Norvasc until you speak with your physician. I do not recommend putting you on a “water pill” as there will be other side effects you will be dealing with let alone another pill you will have to take. I would rather reduce the dose of your pill or switch you to another class of a medication. You can talk to your doctor about those options. Another option would be walking more and that way you are activating your calf muscles and improving your circulation. Therefore, if you do this way the extra fluid in your ankles and legs can get shifted.
- 4) To avoid early morning dizziness, get up slowly from you bed. Take a couple of minutes and sit at your bedside. Otherwise, you can always take the medication at nighttime.
Question of the day?
Are you having side effects from Norvasc also known as Amlodipine?
Have a good day and THINK YOUR HEALTH.
You can check the YT video right here: Amlodipine side effects
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