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What is the most important information I should know about
amlodipine?
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Do not stop taking amlodipine without first talking to your
doctor, even if you begin to feel better. If you stop taking the
medication, your condition could become worse. |
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Amlodipine is in a class of drugs called calcium channel
blockers. Amlodipine relaxes (widens) the
blood vessels (veins and arteries), making it easier for the heart
to pump and reducing its workload. |
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Amlodipine is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure)
and to treat angina (chest pain). |
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Amlodipine may also be used for purposes other than those
listed in this medication guide. |
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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
amlodipine?
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Before taking amlodipine, tell your doctor if you have |
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another disease of the heart or blood vessels such as sick
sinus syndrome, aortic stenosis, heart failure, low blood pressure, or
coronary artery disease. |
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You may not be able to take amlodipine, or you may require a
dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any
of the conditions listed above. |
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Amlodipine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means
that it is not known whether amlodipine will be harmful to an unborn
baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor
if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. |
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It is not known whether amlodipine passes into breast milk.
Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you
are breast-feeding a baby. |
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If you are over 65 years of age, you may be more likely to
experience side effects from amlodipine. Your doctor may prescribe a
lower dose of this medication. |
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How should I take amlodipine?
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Take amlodipine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you
do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or
doctor to explain them to you. |
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Take each dose with a full glass of water. |
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Do not stop taking amlodipine without first talking to your
doctor, even if you begin to feel better. If you stop taking the
medication, your condition could become worse. |
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Store amlodipine at room temperature away from moisture and
heat. |
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What happens if I miss a dose?
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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it
is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the
next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this
medication. |
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What happens if I overdose?
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Seek emergency medical attention. |
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Symptoms of an amlodipine overdose include dizziness,
weakness, chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, unusually fast or
slow heartbeat, coma, slurred speech, and confusion. |
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What should I avoid while taking amlodipine?
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Follow any recommendations your doctor makes about diet or
exercise. |
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Use caution when you stand or sit up from a lying position,
especially if you wake up during the night. You may become dizzy when
changing positions. |
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Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may further lower blood
pressure and increase drowsiness or dizziness while taking amlodipine. |
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What are the possible side effects of amlodipine?
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If you experience any of the following serious side effects,
stop taking amlodipine and contact your doctor immediately or seek
emergency medical treatment: |
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an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the
throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); |
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unusually fast or slow heartbeat; |
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severe dizziness or fainting; |
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jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or |
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swelling of the legs or ankles. |
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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur.
Continue to take amlodipine and talk to your doctor if you experience |
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vivid or abnormal dreams; |
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nausea, diarrhea, or constipation; or |
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increased or difficult urination. |
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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur.
Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is
especially bothersome. |
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What other drugs will affect amlodipine?
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Tell your doctor if you are taking any other heart medicines.
Amlodipine may compound the effects of other heart medications. |
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Other drugs may also interact with amlodipine or affect your
condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any
prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products. |
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Where can I get more information?
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Your pharmacist has additional information about amlodipine
written for
health professionals that you may read. |
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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. |
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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. |
Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 7.05. Revision
date: 7/ 21/ 04. |
