Norvasc (generic name: amlodipine) is a medication used to treat high blood pressure and angina (chest pain). It belongs to a class of drugs known as calcium channel blockers, which work by relaxing the blood vessels and allowing blood to flow more easily. It is also used to prevent heart attack and stroke in people with high blood pressure and coronary artery disease.
Active Ingredients
Dosage
Side Effects
Warnings
Uses
Benefits
References
Active Ingredients
Norvasc contains the active ingredient amlodipine, which is a type of calcium channel blocker. It works by relaxing the blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily and reducing the pressure within the blood vessels. It is also available in combination with other medications, such as atorvastatin, which is used to lower cholesterol levels.
Other active ingredients in Norvasc include amlodipine besylate, amlodipine maleate, and amlodipine hydrochloride. These active ingredients are also available in other medications, such as amlodipine/atorvastatin and amlodipine/simvastatin.
Dosage
Norvasc is available in tablets of 2.5 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg. The usual starting dose is 5 mg once daily, with a maximum dose of 10 mg once daily. The dose may be adjusted based on the patient’s response to the medication.
Side Effects
The most common side effects of Norvasc include headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and swelling of the feet and ankles. Other side effects may include constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, and rash.
Warnings
Norvasc should not be used by people with certain medical conditions, such as heart failure, severe liver or kidney disease, or a history of stroke or heart attack. It should also not be used by people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Uses
Norvasc is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), angina (chest pain), and to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with coronary artery disease. It is also used to prevent chest pain caused by angina.
Benefits
Norvasc can help reduce high blood pressure and prevent chest pain caused by angina. It can also reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with coronary artery disease.
References
1. Norvasc (amlodipine) [Package Insert]. North Wales, PA: Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc; 2020.
2. National Institutes of Health. Amlodipine. https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a601240.html. Accessed April 22, 2020.
3. Drugs.com. Amlodipine. https://www.drugs.com/mtm/amlodipine.html. Accessed April 22, 2020.