Amlodipine

Amlodipine is is one of the most commonly used anti-hypertensive drug. It belongs to the class of calcium channel blockers, category dihydropyridine. It mainly acts at blood vessels, relax them, increase blood flow and decrease cardiac workload.

Some Facts About it; The drug introduced for medicinal use in 1990. A survey showed its the most commonly used & prescribed medication in America in 2022. As per Australian Institute of Health & Welfare Amlodipine is the most prescribed anti hypertensive drug during the year 2023. It can be used as empirical therapy as well as in combination with diuretics or

Uses

Hypertension; reduces blood pressure & risk of other associated diseases

Angina; used in treatment of both stable & unstable angina

Coronary Artery Disease; increses blood circulation & minimize chest pain

Prinzmetal angina

Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat rhythms)

Some off label uses include Raynaud’s syndrome in which  spasms occur in small blood vessels of finguers and toes due to low blood flow.

Dose

Hypertension

Adult dose initially 5 mg once daily

Maintenance dose 5-10 mg once daily

Maximum dose 10mg daily

Children ≥6 years initially 2.5 mg once daily

Maintenance dose 2.5-5 mg once daily

Maximum dose 5mg daily

Chronic Stable Angina

Initially 5 mg once daily

Maintenance dose 5-10 mg once daily

Maximum dose 10mg daily

Coronary Artery Disease

Initially 5 mg once daily

Maintenance dose 5-10 mg once daily

Maximum dose 10mg daily

Precautions While Taking Amlodipine

Regular Monitoring of Blood Pressure

Note Side Effects

Use Caution in Liver Disease

Avoid Sudden Discontinuation

Drug Interactions may be seen with medicines like beta-blockers, some antibiotics & antifungal drugs