- Seek urgent care for signs of an allergic reaction, such as trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or severe rash.
- Get medical attention if amlodipine causes strong dizziness, fainting, or heart palpitations that are new or worsening.
- Contact a doctor if swelling in the legs or ankles becomes severe, appears suddenly, or happens with shortness of breath.
Amlodipine is a medication used to treat high blood pressure and chest pain (angina) caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. It belongs to a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers, which relax blood vessels and help the heart pump blood more easily.
Amlodipine is commonly prescribed to manage hypertension and stable coronary artery disease, either alone or with other blood pressure medications. It is usually taken once a day in tablet form, most often in doses of 5 mg or 10 mg.
Like any medication, amlodipine may cause side effects such as swelling in the legs, dizziness, or flushing. Treatment should always follow medical guidance, especially for people with certain heart or liver conditions or during pregnancy.
Indications for use
Amlodipine is indicated for:
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High blood pressure (above 140/90 mmHg).
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Chest pain (angina) caused by reduced blood flow in the heart’s arteries.
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Stable chronic coronary artery disease.
It can be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive drugs such as olmesartan, valsartan, bisoprolol, or ramipril, as well as with diuretics, to enhance its blood pressure-lowering effect.
Is amlodipine a diuretic?
Amlodipine is not a diuretic. According to the NHS, amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker used to treat high blood pressure and prevent chest pain caused by heart disease (angina), and it works by relaxing and widening blood vessels.
Dosing instructions
Amlodipine should be taken orally (by mouth) with a glass of water, with or without food.
1. Amlodipine 5 mg
The 5 mg tablet, as well as the 10 mg tablet, should be taken once daily as directed by a cardiologist or primary care provider.
The recommended starting dose for treating high blood pressure or angina in adults is 5 mg once a day. This dose may be increased to 10 mg once daily depending on treatment response.
2. Amlodipine 10 mg
Amlodipine 10 mg tablets are also used to treat high blood pressure or angina in adults.
The usual dose is 10 mg once daily, as advised by a healthcare provider, and is typically used when a 5 mg dose does not adequately control blood pressure or angina symptoms.
3. Valsartan + amlodipine
Valsartan + amlodipine tablets contain 80 mg, 160 mg, or 320 mg of valsartan combined with 5 mg or 10 mg of amlodipine.
For adults with high blood pressure, the recommended dose is one tablet once a day.
Treatment usually begins with the lower doses (80 mg + 5 mg) and can be increased up to a maximum of 320 mg + 10 mg per day if necessary.
This combination should only be used if prescribed by a cardiologist, who will determine the appropriate dose based on the severity of the condition.
4. Amlodipine + atenolol
In some cases, amlodipine may be prescribed together with atenolol to treat high blood pressure or stable chronic coronary artery disease in adults. Fixed‑dose combination products may be available, or the medicines may be taken as separate tablets.
A common regimen is amlodipine 5 mg with atenolol 25-50 mg once daily, with the dose adjusted by the doctor according to blood pressure and heart rate.
5. Amlodipine + losartan
Amlodipine and losartan can also be used together for adults with high blood pressure. Depending on availability, they may be prescribed as a fixed‑dose combination or as separate tablets.
A typical starting approach is a lower dose of amlodipine (for example, 2.5-5 mg) with losartan 50 mg once daily, with possible increases (for example, amlodipine 5-10 mg and losartan up to 100 mg once daily) based on blood pressure response and medical guidance.
Possible side effects
The most common side effects of amlodipine include swelling in the legs or ankles, dizziness, drowsiness, facial flushing, or a sensation of heat in the face.
Other side effects may include muscle pain, cramps, nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, excessive fatigue, or constipation.
Although less common, amlodipine may also cause heart palpitations, tremors, dry eyes, ringing in the ears, unusual dreams, increased urination, or allergic reactions including anaphylaxis.
Does amlodipine cause weight loss?
Amlodipine does not promote weight loss and is not recommended for this purpose.
However, some people may experience a loss of appetite as a side effect, which can reduce food intake and potentially lead to weight loss.
Additionally, since blood pressure treatment often involves dietary changes and physical activity, some weight loss may occur as a result, helping to better manage blood pressure.
Contraindications for use
Amlodipine should not be used by children, or by people with severe liver impairment or congestive heart failure.
It is also contraindicated in individuals allergic to amlodipine or to other dihydropyridine medications such as levamlodipine, nifedipine, lacidipine, lercanidipine, felodipine, or isradipine.
During pregnancy or breastfeeding, amlodipine should only be used if prescribed by a doctor after weighing the potential risks and benefits for both mother and baby.