Amlodipine is a prescription medicine used primarily to treat high blood pressure in adults and kids at least 6 years old.

It’s also given to treat chest pain (angina) and other conditions caused by heart disease.

Amlodipine is in a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers. The medicine works by relaxing blood vessels and increasing the supply of blood to the heart.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved this medicine in 1987. It’s marketed as Norvasc by Pfizer.

uses

What is Norvasc (Amlodipine) used for?

Hypertension
Pre-eclampsia/Eclampsia
Angina Pectoris
Heart Disease
Cardiovascular Disease
Ischemic Heart Disease
Coronary Artery Disease
Hypertensive Congestive Heart Failure
Hypertensive Heart (w/ CHF) and Renal Disease
Hypertensive Heart (w/o CHF) and Renal Disease
Hypertensive Renal Disease
Hypertensive Retinopathy
Renovascular Hypertension
Hypertensive Encephalopathy
Hypertensive Heart Disease
Prinzmetal's Angina

warnings

What is the most important information I should know about Norvasc (Amlodipine)?

You should not take amlodipine if you are allergic to it.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

liver disease; or
a heart valve problem called aortic stenosis.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether amlodipine will harm an unborn baby. However, having high blood pressure during pregnancy may cause complications such as diabetes or eclampsia (dangerously high blood pressure that can lead to medical problems in both mother and baby). The benefit of treating hypertension may outweigh any risks to the baby.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

Side Effects

What are the side effects of Norvasc (Amlodipine)?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

In rare cases, when you first start taking amlodipine, your angina may get worse or you could have a heart attack. Seek emergency medical attention or call your doctor right away if you have symptoms such as: chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
worsening chest pain;
swelling in your feet or ankles;
severe drowsiness; or
a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out.

Common side effects may include:

dizziness, drowsiness;
feeling tired;
stomach pain, nausea; or
flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Can I take Norvasc (Amlodipine) if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?

Risk cannot be ruled out

Based on FDA pregnancy categories

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

Dosage Guidelines & Tips

How to take Norvasc (Amlodipine)?

Use Norvasc (Amlodipine) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Take the medicine at the same time each day, with or without food.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) before you measure a dose. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.

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.

If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using amlodipine even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.

Your hypertension or heart condition may be treated with a combination of drugs. Use all medications as directed and read all medication guides you receive. Do not change your doses or stop taking any of your medications without your doctor's advice. This is especially important if you also take nitroglycerin.

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.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What should I do if I missed a dose of Norvasc (Amlodipine)?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if you are more than 12 hours late for the dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What to Expect

Norvasc starts working the day you take it, but it might take a couple of weeks for the full effects to kick in.

If you’re using this medicine for angina, it will probably take a couple of weeks before you to feel better.

You might not notice any difference in how you feel if you’re using Norvasc for high blood pressure. This doesn’t mean that the medicine isn’t working.

Keep taking Norvasc unless your doctor tells you otherwise.