What is amlodipine?
Amlodipine is in a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers. Amlodipine relaxes (widens) blood vessels and improves blood flow.
Amlodipine is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) or chest pain (angina) and other conditions caused by coronary artery disease. This medication is for use in adults and children who are at least 6 years old.
Amlodipine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about amlodipine?
Before taking amlodipine, tell your doctor if you have congestive heart failure or liver disease.
Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects of amlodipine.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
Amlodipine is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, and other medications. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.
Tell your doctor about all other heart or blood pressure medications you are taking.
Your chest pain may become worse when you first start taking amlodipine or when your dose is increased. Call your doctor if your chest pain is severe or ongoing.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking amlodipine?
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to amlodipine.
To make sure you can safely take amlodipine, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
If you are also taking a beta-blocker drug (such as Betapace, Blocadren, Corgard, Coreg, Inderal, InnoPran, Lopressor, Normodyne, Tenoretic, Tenormin, Toprol, Trandate, Zebeta, and others) do not suddenly stop using the beta-blocker without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely. Stopping a beta-blocker too quickly can cause serious heart problems that will not be prevented by amlodipine.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether amlodipine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
It is not known whether amlodipine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are taking amlodipine.