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Norvasc

Generic name: amlodipineam-LOE-di-peen ]
Dosage form: oral tablet (2.5 mg; 5 mg; 10 mg)
Drug class: Calcium channel blocking agents

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on Feb 29, 2024.

What is Norvasc?

Norvasc (amlodipine) belongs to a class of medications called calcium channel blockers. Amlodipine lowers blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels so the heart does not have to pump as hard.

Norvasc is used to treat certain types of angina (chest pain) and other conditions caused by coronary artery disease (narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart).

Norvasc controls chest pain by increasing the supply of blood to the heart. If taken regularly, amlodipine controls chest pain, but it does not stop chest pain once it starts. Your doctor may prescribe a different medication to take when you have chest pain.

Norvasc is also used alone or in combination with other medicines to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults and children at least 6 years old. Lowering blood pressure may lower your risk of a stroke or heart attack.

Warnings

Before taking Norvasc, 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 Norvasc 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.

Norvasc 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 Norvasc or when your dose is increased. Call your doctor if your chest pain is severe or ongoing.

Before taking this medicine

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

To make sure Norvasc is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

It is not known if amlodipine will harm an unborn baby. However, having high blood pressure during pregnancy may cause complications or 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.

How should I take Norvasc?

Take Norvasc exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.

Norvasc is usually taken once per day.

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

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.

If you have high blood pressure, keep using Norvasc even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.

Do not change your doses or stop taking any of your medications without your doctor's advice.

Your treatment may also include diet, exercise, weight control, and blood tests.

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

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose of Norvasc for Hypertension:

Initial dose: 5 mg orally once a day
Maintenance dose: 5 to 10 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 10 mg/day.

Usual Adult Dose of Norvasc for Angina Pectoris:

Maintenance dose: 5 to 10 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 10 mg/day.

Usual Adult Dose of Norvasc for Coronary Artery Disease:

Maintenance dose: 5 to 10 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 10 mg/day.

Usual Geriatric Dose for Hypertension:

Initial dose: 2.5 mg orally once a day
Maintenance dose: 2.5 to 10 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 10 mg/day.</.p>

Usual Geriatric Dose for Angina Pectoris:

Initial dose: 5 mg orally once a day
Maintenance dose: 5 to 10 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 10 mg/day.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Hypertension:

6 to 17 years:
Maintenance dose: 2.5 to 5 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 5 mg/day.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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 happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include rapid heartbeats, redness or warmth in your arms or legs, or fainting.

What should I avoid while taking Norvasc?

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

Norvasc side effects

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

In rare cases, when you first start taking Norvasc, your chest pain 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.

Norvasc may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

Common Norvasc side effects may include:

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.

What other drugs will affect Norvasc?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you use, which may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective.

Other drugs may interact with amlodipine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

Ingredients

Active ingredient: amlodipine besylate
Inactive ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, dibasic calcium phosphate anhydrous, sodium starch glycolate, and magnesium stearate.

Manufacturer

Pfizer Inc: 235 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017,USA.

Popular FAQ

Research has suggested that taking your blood pressure medication at night instead of in the morning can provide better blood pressure control at night without compromising daytime blood pressure control and reduce your overall risk of dying because of cardiovascular disease by 45%. Continue reading

Swelling from amlodipine is a common, but often troublesome side effect of amlodipine with 5% to 9% of people stopping amlodipine because of it. If you develop swelling with amlodipine, tell your doctor right away because they may be able to change your blood pressure medications slightly to help reduce the swelling. Swelling caused by amlodipine does not usually respond to treatment with diuretics (such as furosemide) because it is caused by changes in capillary pressure that result in leakage into the spaces between capillaries (called the interstitial area) rather than water retention. Continue reading

Amlodipine can take more than 8 hours to start working, because it takes a long time to be absorbed. This means it is not a good choice for lowering blood pressure quickly, and other agents, such as hydralazine, clonidine, and nifedipine XL (which work within 1 to 2 hours) are preferred. Continue reading

Weight gain has been reported by some people taking amlodipine but this is not a common side effect and some people have also reported weight loss. Weight gain with amlodipine may also be a symptom of edema, which is when you retain fluid, which may be particularly noticeable around your ankles or lower legs. The risk of edema is greater in women compared with men and in those people taking a higher dosage of amlodipine, and edema is usually noticed as weight gain. Continue reading

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Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Norvasc only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.