Get Informed: Amlodipine
Active Ingredient(s)
Amlodipine
What does it do?
This product is primarily used for the treatment of high blood pressure, and is also used in the treatment of coronary artery disease / angina. It relaxes blood vessels by reducing calcium flow into smooth muscle cells.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-20 10:46 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-20 9:02 PM
Other Names
- Norvasc
- Amlodipine
- Amlodipine Besylate
- Istin
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 31 Jul 1992
- Est US Patients*
- 3,523,000
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Amlodipine or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Amlodipine
There have been no iGuard.org alerts regarding Amlodipine during the past year.
Amlodipine Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Amlodipine interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Amlodipine used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 23,400 patients that use Amlodipine (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| High Blood Pressure | 98% | 
|
| Angina/Chest Pain | 5% |
|
| Other | 1% |
|
How well does Amlodipine work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 23,400 users taking Amlodipine (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 76%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Amlodipine outweigh the bad things.
- 11%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Amlodipine.
Common Side Effects of Amlodipine
iGuard regularly polls our more than 23,400 users taking Amlodipine (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
27% of patients experience side-effects on Amlodipine
6% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Amlodipine
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Swelling/Edema
-
Dizziness
-
Fatigue
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Breathlessness, Chest Pain/Tightness, Constipation, Drowsiness, Dryness, Erectile Problems, Heartburn/Reflux, Hot Flashes, Muscle Pain/Cramps, Numbness/Tingling, Restlessness, Urinary Frequency, Weight Gain
Global Patient Feedback for Amlodipine ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I am on a lot of medications and seem to have a lot of annoying side effects: irregular heartbeat when resting, some extreme fatigue, no appetite but still am not losing weight,not much urine output and sometimes oddly odored urine. I recently changed physicians and no labs have been done except a1c.
63 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-16 05:16:24
Question/Comment:
After I began norvasc, I experienced some ankle edema and petechiae around both ankles. The dose was reduced to 5mg and 90% of the swelling went away, but the petechiae remain. Should this be a matter of concern? A second question concerns periods of urinary frequency in the absence of a UTI. When this occurs, I may experience a couple of hours of needing to urinate every 10-15 minutes. I have an appointment with a urologist, but might this be a side effect of the norvasc?
65 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-10 15:56:17
Question/Comment:
Iam taking Norvasc 10mg one time daily and have choric pain in my left ankle what should I do about relieving the pain and not adding to the high blood pressure? I cannot take any narcotics and I'm alternating between IBU and mobic (3 days one 4 days the other). Any suggestions?
40 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-10 14:51:56
iGuard Answer/Reply:
The ibuprofen and the Mobic are both good choices, as they treat pain as well as inflammation. However, drugs in this catagory, nonsteroidal antiinflammatories, do have the potential to increase blood pressure. You may want to try Tylenol for pain relief, and ice and resting always help. You would ice for about 20 minutes at a time. Make sure to keep follow-up appointments with your physician to make sure your blood pressure is not increasing and the underlying cause of your pain is not worsening. You should make sure your physician is aware of any and all medication you take, including over-the-counter medications.
Posted: 2010-02-14 13:10:16
Question/Comment:
I take amlodipine and feel that it causes weight gain. Is this true and is there another medication that I could take for high blood pressure? I heard beta blockers cause weight gain also. I exercise and eat well.
63 yr old female
64 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-06 22:36:21
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Approximately 1% of iGuard patients taking amlodipine reported weight gain as a side effect. Eating well and exercising are the best ways to avoid weight gain and can also improve your overall health. Discuss your concerns about your weight gain and your options with your physician. It may be time for a complete physical to make sure the weight gain does not have an underlying cause.
Posted: 2010-02-09 21:42:34
Question/Comment:
What causes burning all over arms hands back and top of head. Am on anti-depressant celexia and blood pressure meds diovan, amlodepine and nexium.
80 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-04 21:00:50
iGuard Answer/Reply:
There are many things that can cause burning sensations over your body - so it's best to see your doctor to evaluate what is causing this symptom. Reports of strange skin sensations such as burning, prickling, itching, or tingling are listed in the product labeling for all of these medicines. If your symptoms continue or become worse, you need to make an appointment with your physician to find the underlying cause of the burning sensation.
Posted: 2010-01-06 11:01:19
Answer/Reply:
I had the burning sensations on top of head and kknow what you mean. I havent found out why. But i was on lasix and potassium before and thats when i had the burning. have a fungus infection on toe and scalp. Doctor thinks it has to do with the fungus infection is why my head is hot. On fungus pill and pred and so far no more hot. Really got to watch taking these two pills. I do one in morning and other one at night. One decreases this med and the other increases its fect.
59 yr. female
60 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-20 22:21:41
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Patient Comments about
Amlodipine