Norvasc
Amlodipine
Drug Class and Mechanism of Action of Norvasc
Norvasc belongs to a class of medicines called calcium channel blockers. Calcium channel blockers block the transport of calcium into the smooth muscle cells lining the arteries including coronary arteries (arteries of heart) of the body. Calcium is required for the contraction of muscles and by blocking the calcium entry into the smooth muscles of blood vessels, relaxes artery muscles and dilates arteries including coronary arteries. By relaxing the coronary arteries Norvasc help in angina or chest pain, by increasing blood flow to the coronary arteries. Relaxing the smooth muscles lining the arteries of the body lowers the blood pressure and reduces the workload of heart. By reducing the workload of the heart it reduces the oxygen demand of the heart which further helps to prevent angina in patients with coronary artery disease.
Therapeutic Uses of Norvasc
Norvasc is mainly used in the treatment of high blood pressure or hypertension and in treatment of angina or chest pain. It can also be used in the treatment of other medical conditions that your doctor determines.
Direction of use of Norvasc
Norvasc is taken orally once a day with food or with milk to reduce stomach upset and stomach irritation. Discuss with your doctor if you have to use potassium salt supplementation for sodium salt. If your doctor advice a low salt and/or low sodium diet, you should follow the advice of your doctor carefully.
If You Miss a Dose of Norvasc
If you miss a dose of Norvasc, you should take it as soon as possible. If you miss for long time and it is almost time for the next dose you should skip the missed dose and take the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take 2 doses of the medicine at a time to catch up for the missed dose.
How to Store Norvasc
Norvasc should be stored in a tightly closed container in a dry, cool and dark place (or in a light resistant container). Store it at room temperature i.e. 59 to 86 degrees F or 15 to 30degrees C. Keep the medicine out of reach of children.
More Information About Norvasc
Norvasc should not be shared with anyone. If you do not get any result after taking Norvasc, consult your doctor.
- If you get any serious side effects of Norvasc you should stop taking Norvasc and get immediate medical attention. The serious side effects of Norvasc are allergic reaction to Norvasc, bradycardia (slow heart rate) or tachycardia (fast heart rate), severe dizziness, fainting, psychosis, jaundice of skin or eyes, swelling of legs or ankles etc.
- If you experience less serious side effects of Norvasc and they become troublesome, you should consult your doctor. the less serious side effects of Norvasc are nausea, mild vomiting, headache, diarrhea or constipation, sleeplessness, tiredness, weakness, fatigue, abdominal pain, increased urination, difficulty in urination, abnormal dreams etc.
- You may also experience some other side effects that are not listed above. If you experience any other side effects that are not listed above you should consult your doctor especially if they are troubling you.
Precautions to be Taken While Taking Norvasc
- Norvasc is in the FDA pregnancy category C list, which means it is not known whether it will be harmful to an unborn baby. But you should try to avoid it during pregnancy or if you are planning pregnancy and consult your doctor if you need to take it.
- It is not clear if Norvasc is present in breast milk. You should not take it without first talking to your doctor if you are breast feeding your baby.
- You should inform your doctor before taking Norvasc if you have any liver disease, disease of the heart or blood vessels such as sick sinus syndrome, aortic stenosis, heart failure, low blood pressure, or coronary artery disease etc. If you have any condition that is listed here, you may not be able to take Norvasc, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment with Norvasc.
Possible Adverse Effects of Norvasc
If you get any less serious side effects of Norvasc you should keep taking it and consult your doctor especially if they become persistent and bothersome. The less serious side effects of Norvasc are:
- Fatigue or tiredness, flushing, headache, insomnia, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, increased or difficult urination, vivid dreams etc.
You may experience serious side effects of Norvasc. If you experience any serious side effects of Norvasc, you should consult your doctor. The serious side effects of Norvasc are:
- Chest pain, severe dizziness or fainting, unusually fast or slow heartbeat, severe psychosis, yellowing of the skin or eyes, swelling of the legs or ankles, allergic reaction to Norvasc manifested by difficulty in breathing, closing of the throat, swelling of the lips, tongue, face etc.
