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| Pronunciation |
|
 (am
LOE di
peen) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Norvasc® |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
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| Norvas (Mexico) |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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|
Calcium Channel Blocker |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to amlodipine or any other part of the
medicine.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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|
- This medicine is used to treat high blood pressure, chest pain, or
pressure from the heart. This is called
angina.
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|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- Amlodipine relaxes blood vessels. This results in a lowering of blood
pressure.
- In angina, amlodipine increases blood flow to the heart. This may
decrease chest pain.
|
|
|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an
upset stomach.
- A liquid (suspension) is available if you cannot swallow tablets.
Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube
before and after medicine administration. Shake well first.
- Take at a similar time every day.
- Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit
juice.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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|
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
- There should be 24 hours between doses.
- Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with
healthcare provider.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Wear disease medical alert identification for heart disease.
- Limit alcohol intake (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Can increase
blood pressure.
- Do not use over-the-counter products that increase blood pressure.
These include cough or cold remedies, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like
products, and certain herbs or supplements. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Feeling lightheaded. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities
that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
- Dizziness is common. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or
lying position. Be careful climbing stairs.
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing
diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.
- Swelling of legs.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Check blood pressure regularly.
- Follow diet plan (low salt) and exercise program as recommended by
healthcare provider if medicine is being used for high blood pressure.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Severe headache.
- Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
- Chest pains, fast heartbeats, shortness of breath, or decreased
ability to walk.
- Any rash.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
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|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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