1. Amlodipine oral tablet is available as a brand-name drug and a generic drug. Brand name: Norvasc.
  2. Amlodipine comes only as a tablet you take by mouth.
  3. Amlodipine oral tablet is used to treat high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, and angina.

Show

Amlodipine oral tablet may cause extreme sleepiness. It can also cause other side effects.

More common side effects

The more common side effects that can occur with amlodipine include:

  • swelling of your legs or ankles
  • tiredness or extreme sleepiness
  • stomach pain
  • nausea
  • dizziness
  • hot or warm feeling in your face (flushing)
  • irregular heart rate (arrhythmia)
  • very fast heart rate (palpitations)
  • abnormal muscle movements
  • tremors

If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

  • Low blood pressure. Symptoms can include:
    • severe dizziness
    • lightheadedness
    • fainting
  • More chest pain or a heart attack. When you first start taking amlodipine or increase your dosage, your chest pain may get worse or you may have a heart attack. Symptoms can include:
    • chest pain or discomfort
    • upper body discomfort
    • shortness of breath
    • breaking out in a cold sweat
    • unusual tiredness
    • nausea
    • lightheadedness

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare professional who knows your medical history.

  • Allergic reaction warning: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to amlodipine oral tablet or any of its ingredients, you should not take this drug. Ask your doctor about other medications that might be better options for you.

Amlodipine is a prescription drug. It comes as a tablet you take by mouth.

Amlodipine is available as the brand-name drug Norvasc. It’s also available as a generic drug. Generic drugs usually cost less than the brand-name version. In some cases, they may not be available in every strength or form as the brand-name drug.

Amlodipine may be taken in combination with other heart medications.

Why it’s used

Amlodipine is used to lower your blood pressure. It can be used alone or in combination with other heart medications.

Amlodipine is also used to help blood flow more easily to your heart when the arteries in your heart are blocked.

Amlodipine is also used to treat coronary artery disease and angina (chest pain).

How it works

Amlodipine belongs to a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.

Amlodipine blocks calcium from entering certain tissues and arteries. This makes it easier for them to relax so that blood can flow more easily to your heart. This in turn helps lower your blood pressure, and reduces your risk of heart attack or stroke. If you’re taking amlodipine for chest pain, this drug reduces your risk of hospitalization and surgeries due to chest pain.

Amlodipine oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.

To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Examples of drugs that can cause interactions with amlodipine are listed below.

Heart medication

Taking diltiazem with amlodipine can increase the level of amlodipine in your body. This may cause more side effects.

Antifungal medications

Taking amlodipine with these drugs can increase the level of amlodipine in your body. This may cause more side effects. Examples of these drugs include:

  • ketoconazole
  • itraconazole
  • voriconazole

Antibiotic

Taking clarithromycin with amlodipine can increase the level of amlodipine in your body. This may cause more side effects.

Medications for erection problems

Taking amlodipine with these drugs can increase your risk of low blood pressure (hypotension).

Examples of these drugs include:

  • sildenafil
  • tadalafil
  • avanafil
  • vardenafil

Cholesterol medication

Taking simvastatin with amlodipine can cause the levels of this cholesterol medication to increase in your body. This may lead to more side effects.

Drugs that control your immune system

Taking amlodipine with these drugs can cause the levels of these medications to increase in your body. This may lead to more side effects. Examples of these drugs include:

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare professional about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.

This drug comes with several warnings.

Allergy warning

Amlodipine can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms include:

  • trouble breathing
  • swelling of your throat or tongue
  • hives

If you develop these symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal (cause death).

Warnings for people with certain health conditions

For people with liver problems: Amlodipine is processed by your liver. If your liver isn’t working well, more of this drug may stay in your body longer. This puts you at risk for more side effects. If you have severe liver problems, your doctor may lower your dosage.

For people with heart problems: If you have heart problems, such as narrowing of your arteries, this drug may increase your risk of health problems. You may have low blood pressure, worse chest pain, or a heart attack after starting treatment with this drug, or increasing your dosage. If you have these symptoms, call your doctor or go to the emergency room right away.

Warnings for other groups

For pregnant women: Research in animals has shown negative effects to the fetus when the mother takes amlodipine. However, there haven’t been enough studies done in humans to be certain how the drug might affect a human pregnancy.

Tell your doctor if you’re pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Amlodipine should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk.

For women who are breastfeeding: Some research has shown that amlodipine passes into breast milk. However, it’s not known if amlodipine can cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Talk to your doctor if you breastfeed your child. You may need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this medication.

For seniors: As you age, your body may not process this drug as well as it once could. More of this drug may stay in your body longer. This puts you at risk for more side effects.

For children: This drug shouldn’t be used in children younger than 6 years.

All possible dosages and forms may not be included here. Your dose, form, and how often you take it will depend on:

  • your age
  • the condition being treated
  • how severe your condition is
  • other medical conditions you have
  • how you react to the first dose

Drug forms and strengths

Generic: Amlodipine

  • Form: oral tablet
  • Strengths: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg

Brand: Norvasc

  • Form: oral tablet
  • Strengths: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg

Dosage for high blood pressure (hypertension)

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

  • Typical starting dosage: 5 mg taken once per day.
  • Dosage increases: Your doctor may change your dosage based on your blood pressure goals. If your blood pressure is still not under control after 7–14 days of treatment, your doctor may increase your dosage.
  • Maximum dosage: 10 mg per day.

Child dosage (ages 6–17 years)

  • Typical dosage: 2.5–5 mg taken by mouth once per day. Doses above 5 mg haven’t been studied in children and shouldn’t be used.

Child dosage (ages 0–5 years)

This drug shouldn’t be used in children younger than 6 years.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

  • Typical dosage: 2.5 mg taken by mouth once per day.
  • Note: Older adults may process drugs more slowly. A normal adult dosage may cause levels of amlodipine in your body to be higher than normal. If you’re a senior, you may need a lower dosage.

Dosage for coronary artery disease and angina

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

  • Typical starting dosage: 5 mg taken once per day.
  • Maximum dosage: 10 mg per day.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

A child’s dosage is not available for this use.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

  • Typical dosage: 5 mg taken by mouth once per day.
  • Note: Older adults may process drugs more slowly. A normal adult dosage may cause levels of amlodipine in your body to be higher than normal. If you’re a senior, you may need a lower dosage.

Special dosage considerations

For people with liver disease: The recommended dosage is 2.5 mg taken once per day. Amlodipine is processed by your liver. If your liver isn’t working well, more of this drug may stay in your body longer. This puts you at risk of side effects. If you have severe liver problems, you may need a lower dosage or a different dosing schedule.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.

Amlodipine oral tablet is used for long-term treatment. It comes with serious risks if you don’t take it as prescribed.

If you don’t take it at all or stop taking it: If you don’t take amlodipine or stop taking it, your blood pressure or chest pain may get worse. This could lead to serious problems, such as a stroke or heart attack.

If you skip or miss doses: If you skip or miss doses, your blood pressure or chest pain may get worse. This could lead to serious problems, such as a stroke or heart attack.

What to do if you miss a dose: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s been more than 12 hours since you missed your dose, skip that dose and take the next dose at your regular time.

If you take too much: If you take too much amlodipine, you may experience dangerously low blood pressure. Symptoms can include:

  • dizziness
  • lightheadedness
  • fainting
  • very fast heart rate
  • shock

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or seek guidance from the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or through their online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

There is no antidote for this medication. If you take too much, you’ll be treated for whatever side effects you have.

How to tell if the drug is working: Your blood pressure should be lower and you should no longer have chest pain.

Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes amlodipine for you.

General

  • Take amlodipine at the same time every day.
  • You can cut or crush the tablet.

Storage

This drug must be stored at the right temperature:

  • Store amlodipine at room temperature between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 30°C).
  • Store this drug in its original container and keep it tightly closed.
  • Keep this drug away from light.
  • Don’t store this medication in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms.

Refills

A prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription.

Travel

When traveling with your medication:

  • Always carry your medication with you. When flying, never put it into a checked bag. Keep it in your carry-on bag.
  • Don’t worry about airport X-ray machines. They can’t harm your medication.
  • You may need to show airport staff the pharmacy label for your medication. Always carry the original prescription-labeled container with you.
  • Don’t put this medication in your car’s glove compartment or leave it in the car. Be sure to avoid doing this when the weather is very hot or very cold.

Self-management

You may need to check your blood pressure at home.

You should keep a log with the date, time of day, and your blood pressure readings. Bring this diary with you to your doctor appointments.

Your doctor may ask you to purchase a blood pressure monitor to check your blood pressure between office visits.

Clinical monitoring

Before starting and during your treatment with this drug, your doctor may check your:

  • blood pressure
  • liver function

These tests will help your doctor decide if amlodipine is safe for you to start and if you need a lower dosage.

Availability

Not every pharmacy stocks this drug. When filling your prescription, be sure to call ahead to make sure your pharmacy carries it.

Hidden costs

You may need to purchase a home blood pressure monitor to keep track of your blood pressure. These are available at most pharmacies and online.

Shop online for blood pressure monitors.

Prior authorization

Many insurance companies require a prior authorization for brand-name Norvasc. This means your doctor will need to get approval from your insurance company before your insurance company will pay for the prescription.

There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.