Norvasc

Generic Name: amlodipine (am LOE di peen)
Brand Names: Norvasc

What is Norvasc?

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Norvasc is in a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers. It dilates blood vessels and slows the heart to reduce blood pressure and the pain of angina.

Norvasc is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) or angina (chest pain caused by lack of oxygen in the heart muscle due to clogged arteries).

Norvasc may also be used for other purposes not listed here.

Important information about Norvasc

Before taking Norvasc, tell your doctor if you have congestive heart failure or liver disease.

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Norvasc. Alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase some of the side effects of Norvasc.

If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel fine. 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 Norvasc

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

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication. Before taking Norvasc, tell your doctor if you have:

congestive heart failure; or
liver disease.

FDA pregnancy category C. Norvasc may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether Norvasc passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Norvasc?

Take Norvasc exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Norvasc is usually taken once daily. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

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.

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.

If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms, so you may not know when your blood pressure is high. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

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

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have taken too much of this medication.

Overdose symptoms may include warmth or tingly feeling, severe dizziness, and fainting.

What should I avoid while taking Norvasc?

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Norvasc. Alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase some of the side effects of Norvasc.

Norvasc side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

feeling like you might pass out;
swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet;
chest pain;
slow, fast, or pounding heartbeats;
easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
numbness, burning, pain, or tingly feeling; or
jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes).

Less serious Norvasc side effects may include:

headache;
drowsiness, depression, nervousness;
dizziness, spinning sensation;
warmth or redness under your skin;
nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite;
diarrhea, constipation;
urinating more than usual;
sleep problems (insomnia);
strange dreams;
mild skin rash or itching;
joint or muscle pain;
dry mouth, thirst, increased sweating; or
weight changes.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

What other drugs will affect Norvasc?

Tell your doctor about all other heart or blood pressure medications you are taking.

There may be other drugs that can interact with Norvasc. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about Norvasc

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.