Detailed Drug Information:

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Amlodipine belongs to a class ofmedications called calcium channel blockers. These medications block thetransport of calcium into the smooth muscle cells lining the coronaryarteries and other arteries of the body. Since calcium is important inmuscle contraction, blocking calcium transport relaxes artery muscles anddilates coronary arteries and other arteries of the body. By relaxingcoronary arteries, amlodipine is useful in preventing chest pain (angina)resulting from coronary artery spasm. Relaxing the muscles lining thearteries of the rest of the body lowers the blood pressure, which reducesthe burden on the heart as it pumps blood to the body. Reducing heartburden lessens the heart muscle's demand for oxygen, and further helps toprevent angina in patients with coronary artery disease. For more detailedinformation related to coronary artery disease, please read the Chest Pain, Cholesterol, and Heart Attack articles.

PREPARATIONS: Tablets ( 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg.)

STORAGE: Amlodipine should be stored at room temperature in atight, light resistant container.

PRESCRIBED FOR: Chest pain (angina) occurs because ofinsufficient oxygen delivered to the heart muscles. Insufficient oxygenmay be a result of coronary artery blockage or spasm, or because ofphysical exertion which increases heart oxygen demand in a patient withcoronary artery narrowing. Amlodipine is used for the treatment andprevention of angina resulting from coronary spasm as well as fromexertion. Amlodipine is also used in the treatment of high blood pressure.

DOSING: Amlodipine can be taken with or without food.Amlodipine is metabolized mainly by the liver and dosages may need to be lowered inpatients with liver dysfunction.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: In patients with severe coronary arterydisease, amlodipine can increase the frequency and severity of angina oractually cause a heart attack on rare occasions. This phenomenon usuallyoccurs when first starting amlodipine, or at the time of dosage increase.Excessive lowering of blood pressure during initiation of amlodipinetreatment can occur, especially in patients already taking another bloodpressure lowering medication. In rare instances, congestive heart failurehas been associated with amlodipine, usually in patients already on a betablocker. For further information on beta blockers, please readthe propranolol (Inderal) article.

PREGNANCY: Generally, amlodipine is avoided in pregnancy, and bynursing mothers and children.

NURSING MOTHERS: Generally, amlodipine is avoided in pregnancy,and by nursing mothers and children.

SIDE EFFECTS: Side effects of amlodipineare generally mild andreversible. The two most common side effects are headache and edema (swelling) of the lower extremities. Less common side effects includedizziness, flushing, fatigue, nausea, and palpitations.