Norvasc (Amlodipine) comes as tablets that are taken orally once a day. It is recommended to take Norvasc with food or milk, because it may cause an upset stomach. You should consult your doctor before using salt substitutes that contain potassium. If your doctor prescribes you a low-salt or low-sodium diet, carefully keep to this diet.
Relaxing the muscles lining the arteries of the rest of the body lowers the blood pressure, reduces the burden on the heart as it pumps blood to the body. Reduction of heart burden decreases the heart muscle's demand for oxygen, and, therefore, helps to prevent angina in patients who have coronary artery disease. Amlodipine is in a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers. These medications work blocking the transport of calcium into the smooth muscle cells lining the coronary arteries and other arteries of the body. Calcium participates in muscle contraction, therefore, blocking calcium transport relaxes artery muscles and dilates coronary arteries and other arteries of the body. By relaxing coronary arteries, Amlodipine helps to prevent angina (chest pain) resulting from coronary artery spasm.
The missed dose should be taken as soon as possible to avoid trouble with blood pressure. But, if it is near the time for the next dose, you should skip the missed dose and take only the next dose according to your schedule of taking Norvasc. You should not take a double dose of this medicine.
Norvasc comes in bottles. They should be stored at controlled room temperature, 59 to 86 degrees F (15 to 30degrees C) and dispensed in tight, light-resistant containers.
Norvasc Safety information
Before taking Norvasc, you should inform your doctor if you suffer liver disease; or another disease of the heart or blood vessels such as sick sinus syndrome, aortic stenosis, heart failure, low blood pressure, or coronary artery disease.
If you have any of the diseases listed above, you may not be able to take this medication, or you may require adjustment of a dosage or special monitoring during taking Norvasc.
We don’t know if Norvasc is harmful to an unborn baby. You should not take this medication without consulting your doctor first if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during taking Norvasc.
There is no evidence that Norvasc passes into breast milk. However you should not take this medication without consulting your doctor first if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Norvasc Side effects
You should continue to take Norvasc and consult your doctor if you experience the following less serious side effects that may be more likely to occur: fatigue or tiredness; headache; insomnia; vivid or abnormal dreams; flushing; abdominal pain; nausea, diarrhea, or constipation; or increased or difficult urination.
You should stop taking Norvasc and immediately contact your doctor or seek emergency medical treatment, if you experience any of the following serious side effects: an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives; unusually fast or slow heartbeat; chest pain; severe dizziness or fainting; psychosis; jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or swelling of the legs or ankles.
Side effects other than listed above may also occur. Contact your doctor if you experience any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.