AMLODIPINE

Dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker which relaxes vascular smooth muscles in coronary and peripheral arteries

Dosage Forms

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Tablet

5 mg
10 mg

Uses

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  • Hypertension
  • Angina prophylaxis

Dose and Duration

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Hypertension and angina prophylaxis
Adult and child above 12 years: initially 5 mg once a day increased if necessary after 2–4 weeks to a maximum of 10 mg once a day
Hepatic impairment: initially 2.5 mg once a day
Child 1 month–12 years: initially 0.1–0.2 mg/kg once a day, increased as is necessary at intervals of 1–2 weeks up to 0.4 mg/kg once a day (max 10 mg once a day)

Contraindications

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  • Severe hypotension
  • Cardiogenic shock
  • Unstable angina
  • Significant aortic stenosis
  • Hypersensitivity to amlodipine or other dihydropyridines

Side Effects

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  • Somnolence, dizziness, headache
  • Fatigue
  • Abdominal pain, nausea
  • Palpitation, flushing
  • Ankle swelling, oedema
  • Stevens-Johnson syndrome

Interactions

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  • Phenobarbital (probably reduced effect of amlodipine)
  • Ritonavir (increased plasma concentration of amlodipine)
  • Prazosin (enhanced hypotensive effect, increased risk of first dose hypotension)
  • Simvastatin (possible increased risk of myopathy)

Pregnancy

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  • Do not uses

Breastfeeding

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  • Can be used

⚠️ Caution

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  • Monitor infant if mother uses amlodipine during breast feeding
  • Avoid abrupt withdrawal to avoid exacerbation of angina
  • Use caution when increasing dose in the elderly
  • Use with caution in patients with cardiac failure
  • Tablets containing different salts are interchangeable