What does Amlodipine do?

doctor checking phone for prescription
About 45 percent of the American adult population, or 108 million people, struggle with hypertension, or high blood pressure. This “silent killer” is so named because it is the most common cause of cardiovascular disease-related deaths in the United States, but many people do not know they have it until it is too late because they don’t experience any symptoms.  High blood pressure is largely influenced by lifestyle choices, such as diet and exercise, so it is common for physicians to recommend that patients with high blood pressure eat right, exercise more, and reduce stress. However, lifestyle changes aren’t enough to manage high blood pressure for everyone, so some people may require treatment with a blood pressure medication in order to get their blood pressure to a normal level. Amlodipine is a commonly prescribed medication that can help treat high blood pressure.

Share This Post

About 45 percent of the American adult population, or 108 million people, struggle with hypertension, or high blood pressure.

This “silent killer” is so named because it is the most common cause of cardiovascular disease-related deaths in the United States, but many people do not know they have it until it is too late because they don’t experience any symptoms.  

High blood pressure is largely influenced by lifestyle choices, such as diet and exercise, so it is common for physicians to recommend that patients with high blood pressure eat right, exercise more, and reduce stress.

However, lifestyle changes aren’t enough to manage high blood pressure for everyone, so some people may require treatment with a blood pressure medication in order to get their blood pressure to a normal level.

Amlodipine is a commonly prescribed medication that can help treat high blood pressure.

Overview

Amlodipine, the generic name for the brand name drugs Norvasc and Katerzia, belongs to a class of medications called calcium channel blockers as an antihypertensive drug.

The medication was first patented in 1982 and was approved for medical use in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1990.

Amlodipine can be purchased in either its name brand or generic forms in the United States and is available by prescription only. 

Conditions Treated

Amlodipine besylate is primarily used to treat chest pain (angina) and other conditions caused by coronary artery disease or heart disease, and it is also used to treat high blood pressure.

The drug can be taken in combination with other medications needed to manage heart conditions.

Amlodipine reduces the risk of hospitalization and surgeries caused by chest pain by reducing pain associated with angina, and it reduces the risk associated with a heart attack or stroke caused by high blood pressure when used to treat hypertension.

Angina

Angina is the medical term for chest pain, and it generally manifests as pain, pressure, or tightness in the heart muscle cells that may be caused by stress or physical activity, such as walking or exercising.

Although angina is normally felt in the vascular smooth muscle in the chest, it can sometimes be experienced as pressure, tightness, or pain felt in other places than the chest, such as the neck, jaw, shoulder, back, or either arm.

When experiencing bouts of vasospastic angina or variant angina, some people have symptoms of shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, or lightheadedness, and heartburn.

Angina can result from decreased blood flow and oxygen to the heart, which is often caused by atherosclerosis, or narrowing of the blood vessels.

If not treated properly, angina can increase the risk of heart attack or heart failure and become life-threatening due to low ejection fraction. 

High Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is measured as the force resulting from blood pushing against the walls of the blood vessels as the heart beats.

This force is how blood is sent to different areas of the body, delivering oxygen. High blood pressure occurs when the blood consistently pushes against the walls of your blood vessels too forcefully for an extended period of time.

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is considered dangerous because it results in an increased workload for the heart and blood vessels.

Over time, the blood vessels and heart work less efficiently and must use more effort to send blood to the tissues and organs, which they need in order to function.  

High blood pressure can often be controlled with lifestyle changes and medication, but if not carefully managed, hypertension can cause a narrowing of the blood vessels by creating microtears in the walls of the arteries.

As the blood vessels become more narrow, blood is further prevented from reaching the extremities, causing blood pressure to continue to rise.

Eventually, this can lead to a heart attack (myocardial infarction), stroke, congestive heart failure, and death.

The majority of high blood pressure cases have no obvious causes, such as medications or medical conditions, and are primarily influenced by lifestyle factors and genetics. However, medication can help you achieve your blood pressure goals. 

How It Works

Amlodipine belongs to a class of medications called calcium channel blockers.

Like other medications in its class, amlodipine works by blocking calcium from entering the heart and arteries.

Calcium causes the heart and arteries to contract more strongly, which is usually a good thing, but people with high blood pressure and angina experience an increase in symptoms when this occurs.

Calcium channel blockers lower blood pressure by blocking calcium from entering the heart and arteries, allowing the blood vessels to relax and open.

Some calcium channel blockers, including amlodipine, also slow the heart rate, which helps lower blood pressure further and can control an irregular heart and relieve pain associated with angina. 

Benefits

One of the potential benefits of amlodipine is that it has a long history of use in the United States and has developed a reputation as a reliable, effective drug for treating high blood pressure and angina.

Use of amlodipine has several additional benefits:

Risks

In general, amlodipine is considered a relatively safe medication, but some patients should exercise caution when taking the drug because it can cause adverse events.

Although there are many benefits associated with amlodipine, as listed above, taking the medication also poses some risks. Risks associated with amlodipine include:

  • Patients with liver problems may not be able to process amlodipine quickly, which can cause the drug to build up in their systems and cause an increased risk of experiencing side effects. Patients with severe liver problems may need to take a lower dosage of the medication.
  • Patients with heart problems may experience low blood pressure, increased chest pain, heart palpitations, or a heart attack after starting or increasing their dose of amlodipine. It’s important to discuss any existing heart conditions with your doctor.

Dosage

Your doctor will determine the right dose of amlodipine for you based on drug information and the condition being treated, your age, and several other factors.

When used to treat hypertension in adults, doctors will typically start patients out on an initial dose of 5 mg of amlodipine taken once per day through oral administration.

If the patient’s blood pressure is not brought under control within 7 to 14 days, the dose may be increased to a maximum of 10 mg per day as directed by the doctor. When used to treat hypertension in children between the ages of 6 and 17 and seniors over the age of 65, the starting dosage is 2.5 mg taken by mouth once per day.

While children can bump up to a 5 mg dose if needed to control high blood pressure, elderly patients process drugs more slowly and should use a lower dosage if possible. 

The starting dose of amlodipine when used to treat angina in adults is 5 mg of amlodipine taken once per day, with a maximum dose of 10 mg per day.

Amlodipine is not authorized for the treatment of angina in children. Senior citizens over the age of 65 should take 5 mg by mouth once per day for the treatment of angina, as they may process the drug more slowly.

Overall, be sure to follow the medical advice of your doctor including informing them about any missed doses and storing the medication at room temperature. 

Side Effects

Side effects associated with amlodipine are categorized as either common or serious. Common side effects associated with amlodipine that usually do not need medical attention include:

  • Very fast heart rate (arrhythmia)
  • Abnormal muscle movements
  • Tiredness or extreme sleepiness
  • Swelling of the legs or ankles like angioedemas
  • Stomach pain
  • Dizziness 
  • Hot or warm feeling in the face/flushing
  • Nausea
  • Irregular heart rate (arrhythmia or atrial fibrillation)
  • Tremors

As long as these common side effects are mild, they should go away within a few days or weeks. If side effects persist or allergic reactions occur, talk to your doctor.

Some side effects of amlodipine do require medical attention. Check with your health care provider immediately if you experience any of the following serious side effects while taking amlodipine:

  • Low blood pressure, including:
    • Severe dizziness
    • Lightheadedness
    • Fainting
  • Increased chest pain or a heart attack. This side effect can occur when you first begin taking amlodipine or increase your dosage. Symptoms may include:
    • Lightheadedness
    • Upper body discomfort
    • Breaking out in a cold sweat
    • NauseaChest pain or discomfort
    • Shortness of breath
    • Unusual tiredness

Use During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

The use of amlodipine in pregnant women has not been conclusively studied through clinical trials.

It is recommended that the medication be used during pregnancy only when clearly needed and when the benefits outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. If you are pregnant, speak with your doctor about taking amlodipine during pregnancy.

Studies indicate that use of amlodipine while breastfeeding has not caused adverse effects by passing into breast milk, but caution should still be exercised if taking amlodipine while breastfeeding.

Nursing mothers should speak to their doctors regarding the use of amlodipine while breastfeeding.

Precautions

People who are allergic to amlodipine or other calcium channel blockers,  including nisoldipine or nifedipine, should not take amlodipine.

Make sure your doctor is aware of your complete medical history and any prescription drugs or over-the-counter drugs that you currently take, particularly if you have a history of any of the following:

  • Aortic stenosis, a structural heart problem
  • Very low blood pressure
  • Heart problems
  • Renal impairment or liver problems or disease

Taking amlodipine can make you feel dizzy. The use of alcohol or marijuana can increase these feelings because of drug interactions.

You should not drive or do anything that requires alertness until you know how amlodipine affects you. 

References, Studies and Sources:

apa.org/helpcenter/lifestyle-changes

webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-5891/amlodipine-oral/details

drugs.com/amlodipine.html

medically reviewed and fact checked

We are committed to providing our readers with only trusted resources and science-based studies with regards to medication and health information. 

Disclaimer: This general information is not intended to diagnose any medical condition or to replace your healthcare professional. If you suspect medical problems or need medical help or advice, please talk with your healthcare professional.

Share This Post

Pharmacists.org Discount Club

Get Started for $1.

  • Cheapest cash pay option at your retail pharmacy
  • 1,000s of drugs below $10.00 that can beat your co-pay
  • Start for $1 for your first month. Cancel anytime. 
  • Tell us your meds, we tell you the cheapest options.

Popular Destinations

Recent Articles

doctor checking phone for prescription

Amlodipine side effects: What are they?

Over 108 million people, or 45 percent of American adults, are currently dealing with hypertension, or high blood pressure, whether they know it or not. Because high blood pressure doesn’t always cause symptoms and just so happens to be the most common cause of cardiovascular disease-related deaths in the United States, it’s known as the “silent killer” – many people have no idea they are affected until it’s too late. Lifestyle factors like poor diet, high-stress levels, not getting enough exercise, and not getting enough sleep all play a role in causing high blood pressure, but the condition can also be caused by other factors, such as medical conditions and certain medications. Lifestyle changes won’t control high blood pressure for everyone, and although they’re an important first step, sometimes treatment with medication is necessary.  One medication commonly prescribed to treat high blood pressure is amlodipine.

Read More »
doctor

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

If you’re one of the one in two Americans struggling to keep their blood pressure at a manageable level, you may be looking for more ways to manage your condition. High blood pressure is sometimes called the “silent killer” because it produces few symptoms but is a major contributor to many of the leading causes of death, including heart disease and stroke. Before we can talk about how to treat hypertension, or high blood pressure, it’s important to understand what causes high blood pressure, what types of problems it can cause in our bodies, and what our blood pressure goals should be.

Read More »
image of pills

What Is Losartan Potassium?

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimatesthat about 45 percent of American adults, or 108 million people, currently suffer from high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. High blood pressure is influenced by a number of factors, including diet, activity level, stress, medications, and medical conditions, and doctors generally advise hypertensive patients to make serious lifestyle changes, like eating right and exercising more. Lifestyle changes will be effective in reducing or eliminating high blood pressure for many people, but others might need additional treatment in the form of blood pressure medication to bring their condition under control. Regardless of how patients get their high blood pressure under control, doing so is critical; high blood pressure is known as the “silent killer” because it is the most common cause of cardiovascular disease-related deaths in the United States, and many people are unaware that they have high blood pressure until it is too late. If your doctor has recommended taking losartan potassium in conjunction with making lifestyle changes to control your high blood pressure, here’s what you need to know about the medication.

Read More »

What is Normal Blood Pressure?

According to the American Heart Association, nearly one in two American adults, or about 103 million people, suffer from high blood pressure. This “silent killer” has been implicated in a number of serious conditions, including heart disease and stroke. High blood pressure comes with a lot of risk factors and is the most common cause of cardiovascular disease-related deaths in the United States such as heart attacks, and a 38 percent increase in high blood pressure-related deaths occurred between 2005 and 2015. Maybe you want to get your high blood pressure back to normal, but you’re not even sure what normal blood pressure even is, much less how to get there. Measuring blood pressure can be a bit confusing at first before you understand where the readings come from.

Read More »

Share On:

More To Explore

What Is Lisinopril Used For?

Lisinopril is a first-line treatment drug recommended for hypertension, but it also has other less well-known uses.

Amlodipine side effects: What are they?

Over 108 million people, or 45 percent of American adults, are currently dealing with hypertension, or high blood pressure, whether they know it or

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

If you’re one of the one in two Americans struggling to keep their blood pressure at a manageable level, you may be looking for

What Is Losartan Potassium?

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimatesthat about 45 percent of American adults, or 108 million people, currently suffer from high blood pressure, also

What is Normal Blood Pressure?

According to the American Heart Association, nearly one in two American adults, or about 103 million people, suffer from high blood pressure. This “silent

What Is Amlodipine?

Nearly half of American adults (108 million people, or 45 percent of the adult population) is currently struggling with hypertension, or high blood pressure.

Losartan Potassium Side Effects: What Are They?

If you’re one of the 108 million American adults (about 45 percent of the adult population) currently suffering from high blood pressure, you’re definitely

Can a Garlic Supplement Prevent Heart Disease?

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in America due to many different risk factors. The use of garlic supplementation may help reduce

What is Metoprolol tartrate?

If you’re one of the more than 100 million American adults struggling to manage your high blood pressure, your doctor may have spoken to

Lisinopril Side Effects: What Are They?

One hundred million American adults are struggling to manage their high blood pressure, and if you’re one of them, you’ve likely been told by

Does Aspirin Lower Blood Pressure?

Aspirin, a common medication that is known to reduce the risk of heart attack, has been studied to see whether or not it might

When To Take Lisinopril

Need to know when to take lisinopril? Learn why it’s important to take it at the right time of day.

Does Timing Matter for Blood Pressure Medications?

Uncontrolled blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major burden in the United States that contributes to high heart disease rates, heart attacks, and stroke.

Can Potassium Help Manage High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects about half of all adults living in the United States. Preventing and controlling blood pressure through healthy habits

What are Foods to Avoid with High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure is heavily influenced by a number of lifestyle factors, which means there are lots of different ways to manage your condition.

What is Lisinopril?

Today, one of the first-line treatments for high blood pressure is lisinopril. Exactly what is lisinopril and what is it used for?

Losartan Potassium Side Effects: What Are They?

Losartan potassium is a commonly prescribed high blood pressure medication that can help lower high blood pressure in hypertensive patients when used in conjunction

How to lower your blood pressure?

Picture yourself and two coworkers. You’re all pretty healthy, right? Appearances can be deceiving. The American Heart Association estimates that about 103 million people,

How Does Lisinopril work?

Drugs within all of these classes are commonly prescribed for cardiovascular problems and some of these names might be familiar to you. Each of

What is Low Blood Pressure?

We often hear about the dangers of high blood pressure, but is it possible for your blood pressure to be too low? With high

What Is the Best Time to Take Amlodipine?

High blood pressure is the “silent killer” in America, and increasing numbers of people are affected by the condition each year. About 45 percent

What does Losartan potassium do?

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), about 45 percent of American adults, or 108 million people, currently suffer from high blood