Amlodipine
calcium channel blocker
Published content is for information purposes and is intended for healthcare professionals.
TLDR
Amlodipine is a medication that helps with high blood pressure and chest pain by making blood vessels relax and reducing the heart's work. It works for about 24 hours when taken daily and should not be used if someone is allergic to it, has very low blood pressure, or is in shock. It can also interact with certain antibiotics and other medications.
Regular check-ups for blood pressure and kidney function are important, especially for older people. Patients need to take amlodipine as prescribed, tell their doctor about any side effects, and think about changes like eating healthy and exercising to help reduce their high blood pressure.
Regular check-ups for blood pressure and kidney function are important, especially for older people. Patients need to take amlodipine as prescribed, tell their doctor about any side effects, and think about changes like eating healthy and exercising to help reduce their high blood pressure.
What is amlodipine?
Amlodipine is a medication used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and certain types of chest pain (angina).
It was discovered as a treatment for these conditions due to its ability to relax the blood vessels, making it easier for the heart to pump blood and reducing the workload on the heart.
This discovery was important because high blood pressure can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease, and angina causes chest pain due to reduced blood flow to the heart.
It was discovered as a treatment for these conditions due to its ability to relax the blood vessels, making it easier for the heart to pump blood and reducing the workload on the heart.
This discovery was important because high blood pressure can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease, and angina causes chest pain due to reduced blood flow to the heart.
Key points
Amlodipine treats high blood pressure and chest pain by relaxing blood vessels, reducing the heart's workload.
What is the mechanism of action and duration of effect for amlodipine?
Amlodipine works by blocking the entry of calcium into the muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels. This action causes the blood vessels to relax and widen, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.
After taking a dose of amlodipine, it usually takes a few hours for the medication to start having an effect, and the effects can last for about 24 hours. This means that amlodipine is usually taken once a day, at the same time each day, to maintain its effects throughout the day.
After taking a dose of amlodipine, it usually takes a few hours for the medication to start having an effect, and the effects can last for about 24 hours. This means that amlodipine is usually taken once a day, at the same time each day, to maintain its effects throughout the day.
Key points
Amlodipine relaxes blood vessels by blocking calcium entry and its effects last about 24 hours when taken daily.
What are the contraindications and Interactions for amlodipine?
Amlodipine has contraindications, which are situations where the medication should not be used. These include known hypersensitivity to amlodipine, severe hypotension (very low blood pressure), and shock, which is a life-threatening condition where the body’s organs are not receiving enough blood flow.
Amlodipine also has interactions with other medications, such as certain antibiotics, anti-fungals, and protease inhibitors, which can affect the levels of amlodipine in the body and may lead to increased side effects or reduced effectiveness of the medication.
Amlodipine also has interactions with other medications, such as certain antibiotics, anti-fungals, and protease inhibitors, which can affect the levels of amlodipine in the body and may lead to increased side effects or reduced effectiveness of the medication.
Key points
Amlodipine should not be used in certain conditions such as known hypersensitivity, severe hypotension, shock; and interacts certain antibiotics, anti-fungals and protease inhibitors.
Important amlodipine prescribing safety information
At initiation and once the patient is stable on amlodipine, monitoring requirements may include regular blood pressure checks to ensure that the medication is effectively lowering blood pressure.
Additionally, healthcare providers may monitor kidney function and electrolyte levels to ensure that the medication is not causing any adverse effects on these important bodily functions. These monitoring requirements are important to ensure that the medication is working effectively and to detect any potential side effects early
Caution should be taken when prescribing amlodipine in the elderly population because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the medication, especially the lowering of blood pressure. This can increase the risk of falls and other complications, so careful monitoring is important.
In the event of an overdose or toxicity, immediate medical attention is required. Treatment may include measures to stabilise the patient’s blood pressure and heart rate, such as intravenous fluids, medications to increase blood pressure, and supportive care to manage any symptoms of overdose.
Additionally, healthcare providers may monitor kidney function and electrolyte levels to ensure that the medication is not causing any adverse effects on these important bodily functions. These monitoring requirements are important to ensure that the medication is working effectively and to detect any potential side effects early
Caution should be taken when prescribing amlodipine in the elderly population because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the medication, especially the lowering of blood pressure. This can increase the risk of falls and other complications, so careful monitoring is important.
In the event of an overdose or toxicity, immediate medical attention is required. Treatment may include measures to stabilise the patient’s blood pressure and heart rate, such as intravenous fluids, medications to increase blood pressure, and supportive care to manage any symptoms of overdose.
Key points
Regular monitoring for blood pressure and kidney function is essential to ensure amlodipine's effectiveness and safety, especially in the elderly.
Amlodipine patient counselling and lifestyle advice
Patients taking amlodipine should be advised to take the medication exactly as prescribed by their healthcare provider. It is important for patients to understand the potential side effects of amlodipine, which may include dizziness, swelling of the ankles or feet, and flushing.
These side effects occur as a result of the medication’s action on the blood vessels and should be reported to the healthcare provider if they become severe or persistent. Patients should also be advised to seek urgent medical advice if they experience symptoms such as severe dizziness, chest pain, or difficulty breathing.
If a dose is missed, patients should take it as soon as they remember, unless it is close to the time for the next dose, in which case they should skip the missed dose and continue with their regular dosing schedule.
In addition to taking amlodipine, patients can make lifestyle changes to get the most benefit from the medication. These lifestyle changes may include maintaining a healthy diet low in salt and saturated fats, engaging in regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
These lifestyle changes can help to further lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease and other complications associated with high blood pressure
These side effects occur as a result of the medication’s action on the blood vessels and should be reported to the healthcare provider if they become severe or persistent. Patients should also be advised to seek urgent medical advice if they experience symptoms such as severe dizziness, chest pain, or difficulty breathing.
If a dose is missed, patients should take it as soon as they remember, unless it is close to the time for the next dose, in which case they should skip the missed dose and continue with their regular dosing schedule.
In addition to taking amlodipine, patients can make lifestyle changes to get the most benefit from the medication. These lifestyle changes may include maintaining a healthy diet low in salt and saturated fats, engaging in regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
These lifestyle changes can help to further lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease and other complications associated with high blood pressure
Key points
It is crucial for patients to follow the prescribed amlodipine dosage, promptly report any side effects, and consider lifestyle changes to enhance its efficacy in lowering blood pressure.
References
1. BNF (2023). Amlodipine. [online] NICE. Available at: https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/amlodipine/ [Accessed 3 Feb. 2024]. Link
2. Derosa, G. and Maffioli, P. (2011). Drug Safety Evaluation of Amlodipine. Expert Opinion on Drug Safety, 10(5), pp.795–804. doi:https://doi.org/10.1517/14740338.2011.585966. Link
3. DrugBank (2005). Amlodipine. [online] go.drugbank.com. Available at: https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00381 [Accessed 3 Feb. 2024]. Link
4. EMC (2023). Amlodipine 5mg Tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] www.medicines.org.uk. Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/4717/smpc#gref [Accessed 3 Feb. 2024]. Link
5. Stepien, O., Zhang, Y., Zhu, D. and Marche, P. (2002). Dual Mechanism of Action of Amlodipine in Human Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells. Journal of Hypertension, 20(1), pp.95–102. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/00004872-200201000-00014. Link
2. Derosa, G. and Maffioli, P. (2011). Drug Safety Evaluation of Amlodipine. Expert Opinion on Drug Safety, 10(5), pp.795–804. doi:https://doi.org/10.1517/14740338.2011.585966. Link
3. DrugBank (2005). Amlodipine. [online] go.drugbank.com. Available at: https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00381 [Accessed 3 Feb. 2024]. Link
4. EMC (2023). Amlodipine 5mg Tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] www.medicines.org.uk. Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/4717/smpc#gref [Accessed 3 Feb. 2024]. Link
5. Stepien, O., Zhang, Y., Zhu, D. and Marche, P. (2002). Dual Mechanism of Action of Amlodipine in Human Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells. Journal of Hypertension, 20(1), pp.95–102. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/00004872-200201000-00014. Link