Amlodipine

DEA Class; Rx

Common Brand Names; Norvasc, Katerzia, Norliqva

• Antianginal Agents; 
• Calcium Channel Blockers, Dihydropyridine

Oral dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker; potent peripheral vasodilator
Used for hypertension and angina
Once daily dosing due to long half-life

Indicated for the treatment of hypertension.

Hypersensitivity

• Edema (1.8-10.8%)
• Headache (7.3%)
• Fatigue (4.5%)
• Palpitations (0.7-4.5%)
• Dizziness (1.1-3.4%)
• Nausea (2.9%)
• Flushing (0.7-2.6%)
• Abdominal pain (1.6%)
• Somnolence (1.4%)
• Asthenia (1-2%)
• Pruritus (1-2%)
• Skin rash (1-2%)
• Muscle cramps (1-2%)
• Male sexual dysfunction (1-2%)
• Cardiovascular: Arrhythmia (eg, ventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation), bradycardia, chest pain, peripheral ischemia, syncope, tachycardia, vasculitis
• Central and peripheral nervous system: Hypoesthesia, neuropathy peripheral, paresthesia, tremor, vertigo
• Gastrointestinal: Anorexia, constipation, dysphagia, diarrhea, flatulence, pancreatitis, vomiting, gingival hyperplasia
• General: Allergic reaction, asthenia, back pain, hot flushes, malaise, pain, rigors, weight gain, weight decrease
• Musculoskeletal system: Arthralgia, arthrosis, muscle cramps, myalgia
• Psychiatric: Sexual dysfunction (male and female), insomnia, nervousness, depression, abnormal dreams, anxiety, depersonalization
• Respiratory system: dyspnea, epistaxis
• Skin and appendages: Angioedema, erythema multiforme, pruritus, rash, rash erythematous, rash maculopapular

Symptomatic hypotension is possible, particularly with severe aortic stenosis; owing to gradual onset of action, acute hypotension unlikely

Worsening of angina and acute myocardial infarction (MI) can develop after dose is started or increased, particularly with severe obstructive CAD

Extensively metabolized by the liver and plasma elimination half-life is 56 hr in patients with hepatic impairment; titrate slowly when treating patients with severe hepatic impairment

Limited available data based on postmarketing reports are insufficient to inform a drug-associated risk for major birth defects and miscarriage during pregnancy

Limited available data from a published clinical lactation study reports that amlodipine is present in human milk at an estimated median relative infant dose

No adverse effects of amlodipine on breastfed infant reported

There is no available information on effects of amlodipine on milk production