\n Availability<\/th>\n Prescription Only<\/td>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nDosing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Note:<\/strong> Dosing information below is educational only. Your prescribing physician will determine your specific dose based on your individual health needs. <\/p>Amlodipine comes in three dosage strengths: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg. The recommended dose of amlodipine for adults is usually 5 mg daily taken by mouth. Your provider may increase the dose depending on how your blood pressure responds. The maximum dose is 10 mg daily.<\/p>
A lower starting dose of 2.5 mg daily is recommended for small, fragile, or older adults, as well as adults with liver problems.<\/p>
Always follow your healthcare provider\u2019s instructions for exact dosing.<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Uses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n FDA-Approved Uses<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\nAmlodipine is FDA-approved to treat cardiovascular conditions such as:<\/p>\n
\nHigh blood pressure (hypertension)<\/li>\n Coronary artery disease, including chest pain (angina)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nOff-Label Uses<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n
You may see amlodipine prescribed for uses that are not “FDA-approved.” This is a very common and legal practice called “off-label” prescribing, where a doctor uses their clinical judgment to prescribe a drug for a different (but well-researched) purpose.<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While amlodipine is FDA-approved for blood pressure and angina, healthcare providers may prescribe it for other circulatory conditions such as Raynaud\u2019s phenomenon, a condition where fingers and toes feel numb or cold in response to temperature changes.<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n
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Get Savings Updates<\/h2>\n\t Join our mailing list for exclusive deals and more.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tSubscribe\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t<\/form>\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPlease enable JavaScript to use the signup form.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/noscript>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\tSide Effects<\/h2>\n\t\n\t\t\n\n
Like all medications, amlodipine can cause side effects. Common side effects may improve as your body adjusts to the medication, but others may be serious and require medical attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Common Side Effects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n
\nSwelling of the ankles, feet, or hands<\/li>\n\n\n\n Fatigue<\/li>\n\n\n\n Tiredness or sleepiness<\/li>\n\n\n\n Dizziness<\/li>\n\n\n\n Redness or warmth in the face<\/li>\n\n\n\n Heart palpitations<\/li>\n\n\n\n Nausea<\/li>\n\n\n\n Abdominal pain<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nSerious Side Effects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n
Serious side effects are rare, but it’s important to know what to look for if they do occur. Stop using amlodipine and call your doctor immediately if you experience: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nSevere Allergic Reactions<\/strong> – Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat; difficulty breathing or swallowing; severe rash or itching; fever.<\/li>\n\n\n\nLow Blood Pressure (Hypotension)<\/strong> – Severe dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when standing up. The risk of this side effect is higher in people with aortic stenosis (narrow heart valves) or when starting or increasing the dose.<\/li>\n\n\n\nWorsening Chest Pain or Heart Attack<\/strong> – Chest pain or tightness, sweating, shortness of breath. The risk of this side effect is higher in people with coronary artery disease or when starting or increasing the dose.<\/li>\n\n\n\nLiver Issues<\/strong> – Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), dark urine, pale stool, weakness, nausea, or severe upper stomach pain. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nCall your doctor immediately if you experience any concerning or prolonged symptoms.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\nPharmacist Tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\nTake With Food<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Amlodipine can be taken with or without food. If you find it upsets your stomach, try taking it with a meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stick to a Schedule<\/h3>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s recommended to take amlodipine at the same time each day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Manage Swelling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n If you experience minor swelling in your legs or ankles, elevating your legs when sitting or wearing compression socks may help. If swelling becomes bothersome, consult your provider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Avoid Grapefruit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n It is generally recommended to avoid consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice while on amlodipine, as it can affect how the drug works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Limit or Avoid Alcohol<\/h3>\n\n\n\n While alcohol is not known to directly interact with amlodipine, it can lower blood pressure and increase side effects like dizziness and sleepiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Missed Doses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n If a dose is missed, take it as soon as you remember as long as it\u2019s been less than 12 hours since your last dose. Otherwise, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the regular time. Don\u2019t take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Monitor Blood Pressure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Checking your blood pressure at home and keeping a log can help your doctor determine if the medication is working effectively for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Drug Interactions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Amlodipine can interact with other medications, potentially altering their effectiveness or increasing side effects. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nSimvastatin<\/b>: Taking amlodipine with this cholesterol medication may require a dose adjustment of the simvastatin to prevent side effects.<\/li>\n\n\n\nCyclosporine & Tacrolimus<\/b>: These immunosuppressant medications can interact with amlodipine. A dose adjustment may be needed.<\/li>\n\n\n\nClarithromycin<\/b>: This antibiotic may affect how your body processes amlodipine.<\/li>\n\n\n\nItraconazole<\/b>: This antifungal medication can interact with calcium channel blockers like amlodipine.<\/li>\n\n\n\nDiltiazem<\/b>: This calcium channel blocker may affect how the body processes amlodipine in older people.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n \nAlways give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of all your medications, vitamins, and supplements to check for potential interactions.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\tFAQs<\/h2>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\n
\n\t\n\t\tWhy does amlodipine cause swelling?\u00a0<\/span>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg>\n\t<\/summary>\n\t\n\t\t\n\n
Amlodipine works by relaxing and widening blood vessels. This relaxation can sometimes cause fluid to leak from the small blood vessels into the surrounding tissues, leading to swelling (edema), particularly in the ankles, hands, and feet.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\tIs it better to take amlodipine in the morning or at night?\u00a0<\/span>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg>\n\t<\/summary>\n\t\n\t\t\n\n
You can take amlodipine at any time of day, with or without food. However, it is recommended to take it at the same time every day.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\tHow quickly does amlodipine lower blood pressure?\u00a0<\/span>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg>\n\t<\/summary>\n\t\n\t\t\n\n
Amlodipine may start to lower blood pressure within a few hours of the first dose, but it typically takes a few weeks of consistent daily use to see the full effects.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\tDoes amlodipine cause weight gain?\u00a0<\/span>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg>\n\t<\/summary>\n\t\n\t\t\n\n
Weight gain is not a common side effect of the drug itself. However, because amlodipine can cause fluid retention (swelling), some people may notice a slight increase in weight due to water retention.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\tIs amlodipine safe for kidneys?\u00a0<\/span>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg>\n\t<\/summary>\n\t\n\t\t\n\n
Yes, amlodipine is generally considered safe for the kidneys. It is processed primarily by the liver, so dose adjustments are typically not needed for kidney disease.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\tCan I stop taking amlodipine if my blood pressure is normal?\u00a0<\/span>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg>\n\t<\/summary>\n\t\n\t\t\n\n
You should keep taking the medication as prescribed unless your doctor tells you to stop. High blood pressure can be a chronic condition, and the medication can help keep your levels normal.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\tDoes amlodipine interact with other blood pressure medications?\u00a0<\/span>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg>\n\t<\/summary>\n\t\n\t\t\n\n
Amlodipine may be prescribed with other blood pressure medications. However, taking multiple drugs that lower blood pressure can sometimes cause it to drop too low (hypotension). Your doctor may recommend extra monitoring to prevent this from happening.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\tWhat are the most common side effects of amlodipine?\u00a0<\/span>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg>\n\t<\/summary>\n\t\n\t\t\n\n
The most common side effects of amlodipine are swelling of the hands or feet, tiredness, dizziness, nausea, abdominal pain, heart palpitations, and flushing of the face.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\tDoes amlodipine cause erectile dysfunction?\u00a0<\/span>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg>\n\t<\/summary>\n\t\n\t\t\n\n
It is rare, but some men have reported erectile dysfunction (ED) while taking amlodipine. However, high blood pressure itself is also a common cause of ED. If you experience ED, speak with your provider for treatment options.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/details>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n