What is Amlodipine used for?

Amplodipine tablets 10mg are used to lower blood pressure in people with hypertension (high blood pressure), who are at risk of cardiovascular disease due to high blood pressure; either as the first line treatment, or in combination with other antihypertensive drugs in people who have not achieved normal blood pressure with other medication. Amplodipine tablets 10mg are also used to treat chronic stable angina, to prevent symptoms like chest pain and to prevent heart attack, but not for acute angina, which requires a different type of medication to relieve symptoms.

How does Amlodipine work?

Amlodipine tablets 10mg contain amplodipine, which is a calcium channel blocker that inhibits the inflow of calcium ions across specific calcium channels in the cell membrane into smooth muscle cells of the heart (myocardium) and blood vessel walls (only arteries). Calcium is needed for smooth muscle cells to contract, so by blocking calcium channels, smooth muscle cells contraction is prevented. The result is that the smooth muscle cells relax, which causes peripheral arteries to widen (vasodilation) and this reduces the workload on the heart, which is the force needed for the heart to pump blood around the body (negative inotropic effect), increases oxygen supply to the heart, and decreases blood pressure. Widening of the main arteries of the heart also increases the oxygen supply to the heart and, as the heart workload is reduced, the demand for oxygen is also reduced, which prevents chest pain symptoms of angina caused by lack of oxygen to the heart muscle.

What does Amlodipine contain?

Amlodipine tablets 10mg contain the active ingredient amplodipine besilate, a calcium channel blocker used to treat hypertension and angina.

Treating hypertension (high blood pressure) with Amlodipine

Amlodipine tablets 10mg contain amplodipine, a calcium channel blocker that is used to used to lower blood pressure in people with hypertension (high blood pressure at rest), who are at risk of cardiovascular disease due to high blood pressure; either as first line treatment, or in combination with other antihypertensive drugs, in people who have not achieved normal blood pressure with other medication. Amlodipine blocks the inflow of calcium ions, needed for contraction, into smooth muscle cells of the heart and blood vessel walls (only arteries), which causes blood vessel walls to relax and peripheral arteries to widen and this reduces the workload on the heart, which is the force needed for the heart to pump blood around the body, as measured by blood pressure. The action of amlodipine also increases oxygen supply to the heart and decreases blood pressure, helping the heart to cope better and reducing risk of cardiovascular disease.

Treating angina with Amlodipine

Amlodipine tablets 10mg contain amplodipine, a calcium channel blocker that is used to treat chronic stable angina, to prevent symptoms like chest pain and to prevent heart attack, but not acute angina, which requires a different type of medication to relieve symptoms. Amlodipine blocks the inflow of calcium ions, needed for contraction, into smooth muscle cells of the heart and blood vessel walls (only arteries), which causes blood vessel walls to relax and peripheral arteries to widen. The action of amlodipine reduces the workload on the heart and its demand for oxygen, while at the same time increasing oxygen supply to the heart, which prevents chest pain symptoms of angina caused by lack of oxygen to the heart muscle; also helping the heart to cope better and reducing symptoms of breathlessness on exertion.

What are the side effects of Amlodipine?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Amlodipine tablets 10mg include: headache oedema (swelling of the ankles, feet, face or hands), flushing, palpitations, tiredness, drowsiness, dizziness, abdominal and pain nausea.

When should Amlodipine not be used?

You should not use Amlodipine if you:

• are allergic to to amlodipine, dihydropyridines (other calcium channel blockers) or any of the ingredients in Amlodipine tablets 10mg
• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• have liver or kidney disease or heart failure

How should Amlodipine be taken?

You should take your Amlodipine tablets 10mg once daily with a glass of water, with or without food. The dose you take and for how long should be as recommended by your doctor. If required your doctor may increase your dose.

How long should you take Amlodipine?

You should continue to take your Amlodipine tablets 10mg once daily for as long as recommended by your doctor.

Missed dose of Amlodipine

If you miss a dose of Amlodipine tablets 10mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Amlodipine be stored?

You should store your Amlodipine tablets 10mg at room temperature below 25°C in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight.