Amlodipine Besylate: Side Effects, Uses & Dosage

Amlodipine besylate belongs to the group of medications which are known as calcium channel blockers or calcium ion antagonists. Their work is to widen up blood vessels which makes easier for the heart to pump the blood around the body which increases blood supply in the body along with oxygen, but it does not change the amount of calcium in your blood.

Amlodipine besylate tablets constitutes of an active ingredient known as amlodipine mesilate monohydrate. Amlodipine besylate is sold under the brand whose name is Norvasc. It is used to treat patients suffering from:

  • High blood pressure: Generally high blood pressure also called hyper tension has no symptoms. The only way to know about it is to check it on regular basis, if high blood pressure is not being treated properly then, one can face serious problems.
  • Angina: Angina refers to an uncomfortable feeling or pain in the chest, which often spreads to arms, neck and shoulder. Such pain in angina is caused due to shortage of oxygen to the heart.
  • Coronary artery disease.

Amlodipine is not for the pain relief of an immediate attack of angina. Your physician will let you have any other medicine to cure this. Amlodipine is for using in adults and children who are no less than 6 years old. In patients with high blood pressure levels, your treatment works by relaxing arteries, to let blood pass throughout them more easily. In patients with angina, Amlodipine tablets functions by improving blood supply to the cardiovascular muscles, which then receives much more oxygen, hence chest pain is prevented. Your medicine will not give immediate pain relief of chest pain from angina. Amlodipine Besylate is available in the form of a tablet you can take by mouth.

Topics Covered

Before you start taking Amlodipine Besylate, inform your doctors if:

  • If you had any liver problems
  • Had heart attack
  • If you have any allergies to any other medicines, or foods.
  • If you are pregnant or you are planning for a pregnancy.
  • If you are breastfeeding.
  • If you are planning to have any surgery.

Do not take this Amlodipine Besylate if:

  • You had an allergic reaction after taking this medication earlier.
  • If you don’t remember the dose prescribed by your doctor.
  • If the expiry date has passed.
  • If the package is torn.

Side Effects of Amlodipine Besylate:

Like all the other medicines this Amlodipine Besylate also has side effects, but not everyone is victim of it. Below are the common side effects of Amlodipine Besylate:

  • Feeling sick
  • Abdominal pain
  • Palpitations (awareness of your heart beat)
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Tiredness
  • Sleepiness
  • Ankle swelling

If the above listed side effects of Amlodipine Besylate cause you more problems or if they last for more hours then, you should consult your doctor.

There are also severe side effects of this Amlodipine Besylate, but there are very rare chances of them to occur. Consult your doctor immediately.

Serious Amlodipine Besylate Side Effects

  • Irregular heartbeats: You may feel that your heartbeat is getting fast or slow.
  • Swelling: Swelling and bulging of face, feet and ankles and hand.
  • Numbness: Tingling or numbness is felt on hands or feet.
  • Chest pain: Chest pain with an exertion that can last longer or occurs more often times.
  • Severe abdominal pain: If you feel severe pain in the upper stomach along with vomiting and nausea.
  • Blurred vision: If you suffer from eye pain and change in a vision.
  • Muscle cramps
  • Severe joint pain
  • Changes in mood
  • Shortness of breath

Above are very serious side effects, stop taking your medicine and ask for a medical treatment at the nearest hospital if you experience any of the above. If you are older than 65 years, you should be more careful while taking amlodipine as some people in this stage may catch up to the symptoms easily. Tell your doctor if you notice anything else which makes u feel unwell.

Product description:

Each tablet contains 2.5 mg, 5 mg or 10 mg as the active ingredient.

It also contains the following inactive ingredients:

  • lactose
  • microcrystalline cellulose
  • maize starch
  • Magnesium stearate.

This medicine does not contain, sucrose, gluten, tartrazine or any other azo dyes. This medicine comes in three strengths: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg.

  • 5 mg tablets: white to off-white, round, unscored, imprinted “APO” on one side and “AML” over “2.5” on the other side.
  • 5 mg tablets: white to off-white, round, flat-faced, beveled-edge scored tablets, engraved “AML” over score “5” on one side and “APO” on the other side.
  • 10 mg tablets: white to off-white, round, unscored tablets, engraved “APO” on one side and “AML” over “10” on the other side.

Also Read: Why is Amlodipine Banned in Holland?

How to take this Amlodipine Besylate Medicine?

Swallow the medicine with a full glass of water. Take this medicine at the same time regularly as it will have the best effect of medicine. It will not matter if you take this medicine with or without food. Continue taking this medicine for as long as your doctor prescribes you. This medicine helps you to control your condition, but it will not cure it.

What if you forgot to take it?

If you forgot to take your medicine and now it’s time for the next dose then, skip the missed dose and take your current dose on the usual time.  Do not take double dose to meet up for missed ones. If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints to help you remember.

Dosage of Amlodipine Besylate

Dosage for the patients suffering from High blood pressure (hypertension):

Adult Dosage (ages 18-64 years)

  • Starting dose: 5 mg taken by mouth once per day.
  • Dose increases: Your doctor can change your dose based on your blood pressure levels. If your blood pressure is still not under control after 7–14 days, your doctor may increase your dose.
  • Maximum dose: 10 mg per day.

Child Dosage (ages 0-5 years): This medicine hasn’t been studied in children and shouldn’t be used in children younger than 6.

Child Dosage (ages 6-17 years): 2.5–5 mg taken by mouth once per day. Doses above 5 mg haven’t been studied in children and shouldn’t be used.

Senior Dosage (ages 65 years and older):

  • The recommended dose is 2.5 mg taken by mouth once per day.
  • Older people may course medicines more gradually over time. A regular adult dosage can create amounts of amlodipine to be more than normal level. If you’re a senior, you require a lower dose.

Special Considerations

Liver Disease: The Suggested dosage is 2 .5 mg taken by mouth once daily. Amlodipine is treated by your liver. If your liver isn’t performing nicely, then more of this drugs may remain in your body for longer. This puts you prone to unwanted side effects. If you have serious liver difficulties, you will need less dose or a separate dosing routine.


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