How does it work?

Amlodipine besylate belongs to a group of medicines called calcium channel blockers. These dilate the blood vessels in the body and are used to treat high blood pressure and angina. Amlodipine slows the movement of calcium through muscle cells in the walls of blood vessels. Calcium is required for these muscle cells to contract, thus amlodipine causes the muscle cells to relax. This causes the blood vessels to dilate. Blood pressure depends on the force with which the heart pumps the blood, and on the diameter of blood vessels and the volume of blood in circulation. Blood pressure increases if the blood vessels are narrow or if the volume is high. Dilating the blood vessels in the extremities therefore decreases blood pressure. The coronary arteries in the heart are also dilated by amlodipine, and this allows more blood, and therefore oxygen, to be delivered to the heart at any time. Overall the heart is required to use less effort to pump blood around the body, and is also given a greater oxygen supply. This prevents the pain of angina, which would normally be brought on because of a lack of oxygen supply to the heart.

What is it used for?

A severe form of angina pectoris, not caused by exertion

High blood pressure

Prevention of angina pectoris

Warning!

This medicine is not recommended for use in children.

Amlodipine should not be used alone, during or within one month of a heart attack (myocardial infarction).

Use with caution in

Decreased liver function

Not to be used in

Allergy to related calcium channel blockers (dihydropyridines)

Angina not well controlled by medical treatment

Breastfeeding

Failure of the heart to maintain adequate circulation (cardiogenic shock)

Narrowing of the main artery coming from the heart (aortic stenosis)

Pregnancy

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

The safety of this medicine in pregnancy has not been established. It should not be taken by women who are pregnant, and women of child-bearing age who take this medicine should use effective contraception. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

There is no information available about the safety of this medicine during breastfeeding. For this reason, the manufacturer states that it should not be used during breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Rash

Inability of a man to have an erection (impotence)

Nausea

Fatigue

Dizziness

Flushing

Excessive fluid retention in the body tissues, resulting in swelling (oedema)

Weakness or loss of strength (asthenia)

Enlargement of the gums (gingival hyperplasia)

Headache

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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