Amlodipine
Amlodipine is a long-acting dihydropyridine calcium-channel blocker. It is widely used once daily for hypertension and for prevention of angina symptoms, but it is not a rescue treatment for an acute episode of chest pain.
At a glance
Quick facts
- Drug class
- Dihydropyridine calcium-channel blocker
- Main uses
- Hypertension; chronic stable or vasospastic angina; selected coronary artery disease indications
- Route
- Oral
- WHO ATC
- C08CA01
- Key safety
- Peripheral oedema, dizziness, flushing and headache are common; excessive blood-pressure lowering and worsening angina after initiation or dose increase are uncommon but important.
- Monitoring
- Blood pressure, ankle oedema, symptoms of angina, liver impairment and interacting medicines.
Names & terminology
How this medicine may be named or searched
- Canonical page name
- Amlodipine
- INN / generic name
- Amlodipine
- Aliases / salts
- amlodipine · amlodipine besylate
- Russian support entity
- amlodipine.ru — entity relationship only, not a clinical source
Structured drug profile
Drug profile
What is Amlodipine?
Amlodipine is a long-acting dihydropyridine calcium-channel blocker. It is widely used once daily for hypertension and for prevention of angina symptoms, but it is not a rescue treatment for an acute episode of chest pain.
What is Amlodipine used for?
Hypertension; chronic stable or vasospastic angina; selected coronary artery disease indications. The exact approved indication depends on the product, route and country. [1]
How it works
Blocks L-type calcium channels predominantly in vascular smooth muscle, producing arterial vasodilation and lowering blood pressure.
Forms and formulations
Tablets; oral liquid formulations are available in some markets. Different formulations may have different indications, strengths, excipients and instructions and should not be assumed interchangeable.
Country / market layer
Availability and formulations by market
Brand names, strengths, prescription status and approved uses vary by jurisdiction. Check the exact national product record before relying on a formulation.
Availability depends on the active ingredient, route and formulation; not every medicine in this reference has a current UK product.
U.S. authorization and formulation availability may differ substantially from Europe and other markets.
How it is used
Amlodipine is usually taken once daily with or without food. Dose selection depends on age, indication, response and comorbidity. Continue the prescribed regimen even when blood pressure feels normal unless a clinician changes it.
For prescription treatment, use the patient-specific regimen rather than copying a dose from another person or another formulation.
Side effects
Ankle swelling is characteristic and can be dose-related. Other effects include headache, flushing, palpitations, dizziness and fatigue. Severe hypotension or worsening chest pain needs clinical review.
Important warnings and monitoring
New severe chest pain, fainting, marked shortness of breath or rapidly worsening swelling warrants assessment. People with severe liver disease may need slower dose adjustment because amlodipine is metabolised hepatically.
Monitoring context: Blood pressure, ankle oedema, symptoms of angina, liver impairment and interacting medicines.
Interactions
Amlodipine has fewer interactions than many cardiovascular drugs, but CYP3A inhibitors can increase exposure. Simvastatin exposure can rise with amlodipine, so product labels impose dose limits in some markets.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Pregnancy and breastfeeding decisions should weigh maternal blood-pressure control against available safety data. Do not stop antihypertensive therapy simply because pregnancy is suspected; obtain prompt medical advice.
Overdose and accidental extra doses
Overdose can cause prolonged vasodilation, severe low blood pressure and shock. Significant extra dosing requires urgent poison-centre or emergency advice.
Practical clinical context
The most important distinction is between the medicine entity and a specific marketed product. Strength, salt, route, modified-release design, age authorization and prescription status can change between products. When safety or dosing decisions matter, use the exact package leaflet, prescribing information or national regulator record for the product actually being used.
This page deliberately separates general evidence from the project’s Russian-language support site amlodipine.ru; that site identifies the cross-language entity but is not treated as an authority for clinical claims.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
It is commonly used for high blood pressure and prevention of certain types of angina.
No. It helps prevent angina but is not a rescue medicine for an acute attack.
Arteriolar vasodilation can increase pressure in small blood vessels and contribute to dependent oedema.
Yes. Standard oral amlodipine can generally be taken with or without food.
Not without advice. Controlled blood pressure often means the treatment is working rather than that it is no longer needed.
Sources
Clinical statements in this reference are based on named public-health, regulatory or guideline sources. Product-specific labeling remains authoritative for exact indications, dosing and contraindications.
- 1. MedlinePlus. Amlodipine Drug Information. Source ↗
- 2. DailyMed. Amlodipine product labeling search. Source ↗
This medicine reference is evidence-based and is awaiting clinician review. It is not a substitute for personalized medical advice.