Norvasc Medical Information

• Norvasc uses
• Norvasc dosage
• Norvasc side effects
• Warnings & precautions
• Drug interactions
• Missed dose
• Overdose

Common Brand Names: Norvasc

Generic Name: Amlodipine

The following product information is not intended to replace the physician's or manufacturer's instructions.

Common Medical Uses:
Norvasc belongs to a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers. Norvasc helps control high blood pressure for a full 24 hours. And it can be used to treat the chest pain of angina. Norvasc works to relax your blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily through them. The end result is lower blood pressure and less angina.

How to Use Norvasc:
Norvasc is usually taken once a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of Norvasc and gradually increase your dose. Norvasc controls high blood pressure and chest pain (angina) but does not cure them. Continue to take the medication even if you feel well. Do not stop taking the medication without talking to your doctor.

Norvasc Possible Side Effects:

Norvasc may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• feet or ankle swelling (edema)
• headache
• fatigue
• dizziness

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, stop taking Norvasc and call your doctor immediately:

• fainting spells, dizziness, or lightheadedness
• irregular heartbeat
• more frequent or more severe chest pain
• swelling of legs or ankles

Norvasc Warnings & Precautions:

• Don't take if: You are allergic to Amlodipine, if you have very low blood pressure
• Before taking Norvasc , tell your doctor or/and pharmacist:
• if you have kidney or liver disease
• if you have congestive heart failure
• if you have very low blood pressure
• Skin & sunlight: No special problems expected.
• Driving, piloting or hazardous work: Amlodipine may cause dizziness. Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. To reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells, do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Avoid alcoholic drinks. They can make you more dizzy, increase flushing and rapid heartbeats.
• Discontinuing: Don't discontinue without consulting your doctor, even if you feel well. Do not suddenly stop using Norvasc. Stopping suddenly may cause your chest pain or high blood pressure to come back or get worse. Check with your doctor for the best way to reduce gradually the dose.
• Pregnancy: Risk category C. Norvasc has not been studied in pregnant women. Decide with your doctor if drug benefits justify risk to unborn child.
• Breast feeding: It is not known whether Norvasc passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
• Not recommended for children under age 18.

Drug Interactions:
The following drugs and foods may interact with Norvasc:

• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors - possible excessive potassium in blood; dosages may require adjustment
• Antiarrhythmics - possible increased effect and toxicity of eachdrug
• Anticoagulants, oral - possible increased anticoagulant effect
• Anticonvulsants, hydantoin - increased anticonvulsant effect
• Antifungals
• Antihypertensives - blood pressure drop; dosages may require adjustment
• Beta-adrenergic blocking agents - possible irregular heartbeat and congestive heart failure
• Calcium (large doses) - possible decreased effect of Norvasc
• Carbamazepime - may increase carbamazepime effect and toxicity
• Cimetidine - possible increased effect of Norvasc
• Cyclosporine - increased cyclosporine toxicity
• Digitalis preparations - increased digitalis effect; may need to reduce dose
• Disopyramide - may cause dangerously slow, fast or irregular heartbeat
• Diuretics - dangerous blood ressure drop; dosages may require adjustment
• Dofetilide - increased risk of heart problems
• Encainide - increased effect of toxicity on heart muscle
• Fluvoxamine - slow heartbeat
• HMG CoA reductase inhibitors - increased effect of HMG CoA reductase inhibitors
• Hypocalemia-causing medications - increased antihypertensive effect
• Leukotriene modifiers - increased effect of Norvasc
• Lithium - possible decreased lithium effect
• Metformin - increased metformin effect
• Nicardipime - possible increased effect and toxicity of each drug
• Nimodipine - dangerous blood pressure drop
• Nitrates - reduced angina attacks
• Rifampin

Tell your health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products.

Possible interactions with other substances:

• Alcohol - dangerously low blood pressure
• Grapefruit juice - possible increased drug effect

Missed Dose:
Take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Never take 2 doses at the same time.

Overdose:
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms: unusually fast or slow heartbeat, loss of consciousness, cardiac arrest.

See also:

• Norvasc (Amlodipine)
• Norvasc 5 mg
• Norvasc 10 mg