Hypertension
Palpitations
Atherosclerosis
Chronic stable angina
How it works
Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist (calcium ion antagonist or slow-channel blocker) that inhibits the trans membrane influx of calcium ions into vascular smooth muscle and cardiac muscle. Experimental data suggest that amlodipine binds to both dihydropyridine and nondihydropyridine binding sites. The contractile processes of cardiac muscle and vascular smooth muscle are dependent upon the movement of extracellular calcium ions into these cells through specific ion channels. Amlodipine inhibits calcium ion influx across cell membranes selectively, with a greater effect on vascular smooth muscle cells than on cardiac muscle cells. Amlodipine is a peripheral arterial vasodilator that acts directly on vascular smooth muscle to cause a reduction in peripheral vascular resistance and reduction in blood pressure.
Indications
Hypertension
Palpitations
Atherosclerosis
Chronic stable angina
Dosage
Prinzmetal’sangina
Adult: Initially, 5 mg once daily increased to 10 mg once daily if necessary.
Elderly: Initially, 2.5 mg once daily.
Hepatic impairment: Initially, 2.5 mg once daily.
Stable angina
Adult: Initially, 5 mg once daily increased to 10 mg once daily if necessary.
Elderly: Initially, 2.5 mg once daily.
Hepatic impairment: Initially, 2.5 mg once daily.
Hypertension
Adult: Initially, 5 mg once daily increased to 10 mg once daily if necessary.
Child: 6-17 yr Initially, 2.5 mg once daily, increased to 5 mg once daily if necessary.
Elderly: Initially, 2.5 mg once daily.
Hepatic impairment: Initially, 2.5 mg once daily.
Side Effects
Somnolence, dizziness, headache, ankle swelling, oedema, flushing, fatigue, palpitations, abdominal pain, nausea.
Contraindication
Severe hypotension, shock (including cardiogenic shock), obstruction of the outflow tract of the left ventricle (e.g. aortic stenosis), haemodynamically unstable heart failure after acute MI.
Pregnancy Category
Category C: Either studies in animals have revealed adverse effects on the foetus (teratogenic or embryocidal or other) and there are no controlled studies in women or studies in women and animals are not available. Drugs should be given only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the foetus.