Get Informed: Norvasc
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:
- 2009-Nov-20 7:35 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 6:53 PM
Other Names
- Norvasc
- Amlodipine
- Amlodipine Besylate
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*
- 3,616,000
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Norvasc or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Norvasc Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Norvasc interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Norvasc used for?
iGuard.org is currently tracking more than 21,200 patients that use Norvasc (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 | 95% | 
|
| Angina / Chest Pain | 6% | 
|
| Other | 4% |
|
How well does Norvasc work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 21,200 users taking Norvasc (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 Norvasc outweigh the bad things.
- 18%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Norvasc.
Common Side Effects of Norvasc
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 21,200 users taking Norvasc (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.
28% of patients experience side-effects on Norvasc
4% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Norvasc
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Swelling/Edema
-
Dizziness
-
Fatigue
-
Drowsiness
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Blurred Vision, Constipation, Dental Problems, Diarrhea, Dry Mouth, Dryness, Elevated Heart Rate, Frequent Urination, Grogginess/Confusion, Headache, High Blood Pressure, Insomnia, Itch/Rash, Memory/Speech Problems, Muscle Pain/Stiffness, Numbness/Tingling, Palpitations, Sexual Problems, Sleep Problems, Weakness, Weight Gain
Global Patient Feedback for Norvasc (Amlodipine) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
i have been taking amlodipine for over 5 years now. I have lately been getting nearly all the mentioned side affects from this drug. I am wondering with the warnings about increased cardiovacular troubles why my Heart dr gave it and metoprolol to me if they both can worsen heart disease and cuse many more cardiac complications? i take norvasc, metoprolol, nexium, ventolin, flovent, atrovent and 800 mg ibuprofens. i had a heart attack in feb08,1bloceked artery,felt great but now much worse.
57 year old Male
Posted: 2009-11-05 15:06:04
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Amlodipine is generally well-tolerated. It needs to be used with caution in patients with heart failure. Metoprolol is recommended in treatment of a heart attack and as continued treatment after a heart attack. It has been shown to reduce mortality (death) after a heart attack. For many patients, the benefits of the heart medications will outweigh the side effects and the small risk of worsening heart problems. However, if your side effects continue or become more severe, you need to make an appointment with your physician to discuss your symptoms as soon as possible.
Ibuprofen can increase blood pressure when taken by patients who have blood pressure issues or heart conditions. Ibuprofen may also cause stomach irritation and may worsen heart burn or GERD symptoms. You may wish to review your use of ibuprofen with your doctor to make sure it is not worsening your other conditions.
Posted: 2009-11-11 10:39:06
Question/Comment:
Has anyone experienced "flushing" while taking this medication? I began taking amlodipine 5mg and liothyronine 5mcg for thyroid twice daily about a week ago and experienced a hot feeling over my head and neck that lasted several hours. I checked both side effects and the amlodipine indicated that flushing is a sie effect. I am also menopausal but to date have never had a hot flash and am wondering which I am experiencing.
47 year old Female
Posted: 2009-10-21 13:22:24
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
No iGuard patients taking amlodipine have reported flushing as a side effect to date. However, this side effect is listed as a reported side effect during clinical trials. You should report this side effect to your doctor especially if it continues or worsens.
Posted: 2009-10-29 23:37:21
Question/Comment:
I was taking Lisinopril for HBP but the coughing at bedtime was keeping me awake. I now take Amlodipine but still cough, just not as much. I cannot afford a brand name although I don't know if a Non Generic would help my cough. With the H1N1 Flu still around I get dirty looks from people when I cough in Public.
62 year old Female
Posted: 2009-10-16 14:37:28
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Amlodipine causing a cough is a relatively rare side effect. The product information for amlodipine states that coughing was reported in less than 1 in 1000 patients (0.1%) during clinical studies. If you recently discontinued the lisinopril there could be trace amounts of the drug still in your system and that could be the cause of your coughing. You could try sugar free lozenges or drinking more water to see if it helps with the cough. However, if the cough continues or worsens you should discuss this with your doctor and ensure there are not other underlying medical conditions causing the cough.
Posted: 2009-11-03 22:09:24
Question/Comment:
Norvasc probably has the least side effect but uncomfortable non the less. Leg cramps, dizziness,sudden drop in diastolic b/p, memory problems, bloating, unable to loose any weight,
discoloration on top of feet. The doctors had me on lisinipril, metoprolol then added norvasc. I went off the lisinipril after eye disturbances. Thought I was having a stroke! The metoprolol at 50 mg per day made me chemically depressed, balance was totally off. I was literally banging into walls! I thought I had a brain tumor! I cut the dosage to 25 mg per day. I totally stopped taking it when the symptoms didn't go away. Just the Norvasc and some hydrochlorthiazide. The Dr put me on 10 mg per day, I cut it to 5 mg per day, then I went every other day...then I cut it to 2.5 mg. per day. The stuff builds up in your system...when I get overly bloated, and my memory starts getting weird and I get dizzier than "usual"...I stop taking it for a day, get the level down, and I am ok. My question is....how can these b/p meds be good for you and prevent you from stroking out, but seem to be so toxic to the rest of the body? After trying 3 meds at the same time with little control in my b/p...I cut it down to one with a baby dose and it's working!! I do monitor it very closely. I am a Psych nurse and I find that MOST of the patients that have a diagnosis of "bi-polar" or "depression"...are on blood pressure meds! Mainly Lisinopril and Metoprolol...If you have depression for no real reason...look to the b/p meds and discuss it with your doctor. Also, google your meds and learn about the side effects.
62 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-21 02:48:42
Answer/Reply:
How do you get off this stuff safely. I was taking 5mg. of this amlodipine, and started with a itch then a rash on face, then headaches, then muscle cramps, and eveything else, thats a side effect so I quit, my doctor told me to stay on it until I have a stress test and seeing a nephrology doctor. I have had more problems with it then with out it. and I'm thinking about going back to emergency room, and I shouldn't be having these problems ,unless I'm extremely allergic to this. I'm also a Fap person, short gut and really I'm also a whipple person. After all of this I'm sure I'll per going to another doctor.
61 year old Female
Posted: 2009-10-05 19:07:38
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
You need to be evaluated by a doctor in person and have your blood pressure and other health conditions tested. You should not leave your high blood pressure uncontrolled for any period of time. There are significant potential cardiovascular risks to leaving the high blood pressure persist. Your doctor can also evaluate and treat the side effects you are experiencing from the amlodipine. Controlling your weight through a moderate diet and exercise routine, will also benefit your overall health as well as your blood pressure.
Posted: 2009-11-05 13:27:34
Question/Comment:
Since taking Amlodpine my BP has been AWESOME!
I have tried other prescriptions that caused me to suffer side effects such as dizziness and left me feeling lythargic most of the day.
45 year old Male
Posted: 2009-08-19 12:38:39
Answer/Reply:
I have been on Amlodipine for about a year and have had no side effects.
70 year old Male
Posted: 2009-08-26 18:38:08
Answer/Reply:
You made me feel a lot better! I had so much dizziness and lethargy with lisinopril and HCTZ that I considered not taking anything and taking my chances with BP's of 188/120 and 227/190. So far, first day on this one I feel alive again. Just checked and I was 120/72!!!! THANK YOU!
57 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-11 15:15:29
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
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Patient Comments about
Norvasc