Norvasc

The recommended adult starting dose of Norvasc (Amlodipine) is 5 mg taken once daily. Depending on the effectiveness of this medication for your condition, and how well the medication is tolerated, your doctor may suggest a dose between 2.5 mg and 10 mg taken once daily.

For children ages 6 to 17 years, the recommended dose is 2.5 mg to 5 mg once daily.

Norvasc (Amlodipine) can be taken with or without food.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones above, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important that Norvasc (Amlodipine) be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is less than 12 hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Norvasc (Amlodipine) at room temperature, protect it from light, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: it may cause headaches; it may cause dizziness - use caution when getting up from a lying or sitting position and use caution if driving; it may cause unusual tiredness; it may cause redness of the face; it may cause nausea or, rarely, vomiting; it may cause leg swelling or water retention. Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

2.5 mg
Each white-to-off-white emerald-shaped tablet, debossed with "NRV 2.5" on one side and "Pfizer" on the other, contains Norvasc (Amlodipine) besylate equivalent to 2.5 mg of Norvasc (Amlodipine). Nonmedicinal ingredients: dibasic calcium phosphate anhydrous, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and sodium starch glycolate.

5 mg
Each white, octagonal tablet, scored, debossed with "NRV 5" on one side and "Pfizer" on the other, contains Norvasc (Amlodipine) besylate equivalent to 5 mg of Norvasc (Amlodipine). Nonmedicinal ingredients:dibasic calcium phosphate anhydrous, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and sodium starch glycolate.

10 mg
Each white, octagonal tablet, debossed with "NRV 10" on one side and "Pfizer" on the other, contains Norvasc (Amlodipine) besylate equivalent to 10 mg of Norvasc (Amlodipine). Nonmedicinal ingredients: dibasic calcium phosphate anhydrous, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and sodium starch glycolate.

Do not take Norvasc (Amlodipine) if you:

• are allergic to Norvasc (Amlodipine) or any ingredients of the medication
• are allergic to other medications of the same class (e.g., Felodipine, Nifedipine)
• have very Low Blood Pressure

There may be an interaction between Norvasc (Amlodipine) and any of the following:

• Abiraterone
• Acetazolamide
• Aldesleukin
• Aliskiren
• alpha blockers (e.g., Alfuzosin, Doxazosin, Tamsulosin)
• Amiodarone
• amphetamines (e.g., Dextroamphetamine, lisdexamphetamine)
• angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs; Captopril, Enalapril, Ramipril)
• angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs; e.g., candasartan, Irbesartan, Losartan)
• Aprepitant
• antacids
• "azole" antifungal medications (e.g., fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole)
• barbiturates (e.g., butalbital, pentobarbital, Phenobarbital)
• beta-blockers (e.g., Atenolol, Metoprolol, Propranolol)
• boceprevir
• Bosentan
• calcium supplements (e.g., calcium carbonate, calcium citrate)
• Carbamazepine
• Clopidogrel
• conivaptan
• Cyclosporine
• Dabrafenib
• Dasatinib
• Deferasirox
• Desipramine
• diazoxide
• diuretics (water pills; e.g., Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide, triamterene)
• dofetilide
• Duloxetine
• Enzalutamide
• Flecainide
• grapefruit juice
• Guanfacine
• Haloperidol
• Hepatitis C antiviral combinations (e.g., ombitasvir - paritaprevir - ritonavir - dasabuvir, ombitasvir - paritaprevir - ritonavir)
• HIV non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs; e.g., delavirdine, efavirenz, etravirine, nevirapine)
• HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., atazanavir, indinavir, ritonavir)
• Hydrocodone
• imatinib
• Imipramine
• levodopa
• Lomitapide
• macrolide antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin, erythromycin)
• melatonin
• Methylphenidate
• mifepristone
• Minoxidil
• Modafinil
• nefazodone
• nitrates (e.g., Nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate)
• Obinutuzumab
• other calcium channel blockers (e.g., Diltiazem, nifedipine, Verapamil)
• Pentoxifylline
• Phenytoin
• phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (e.g., Sildenafil, Tadalafil, Vardenafil)
• Pimozide
• primidone
• quinidine
• rifabutin
• rifampin
• Rituximab
• St. John's wort
• second-generation antipsychotics (e.g., Clozapine, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone)
• simeprevir
• Simvastatin
• Stiripentol
• Tacrolimus
• Theophylline
• Tizanidine
• Tocilizumab
• Yohimbine

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Norvasc (Amlodipine). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin taking a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should take Norvasc (Amlodipine).

Chest pain/heart attack: Rarely, Norvasc (Amlodipine) may worsen angina (chest pain) or precipitate a heart attack when it is first started or when the dose is increased. People with severe heart disease seem to be more at risk. If you experience worsening chest pain or symptoms of a heart attack (e.g., chest pain, pressure, or heaviness; nausea; shortness of breath; cool, clammy skin; anxiety) while taking Norvasc (Amlodipine), get immediate medical attention.

Grapefruit juice: Grapefruit juice may increase the effects of Norvasc (Amlodipine). Avoid grapefruit juice while taking Norvasc (Amlodipine).

Liver function: Liver disease or reduced liver function may cause Norvasc (Amlodipine) to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have liver disease or decreased liver function, discuss with your doctor how Norvasc (Amlodipine) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Norvasc (Amlodipine), and whether any special monitoring is needed. Your doctor may recommend a lower dose.

Low blood pressure: Like other medications for blood pressure, Norvasc (Amlodipine) may cause a lowering of blood pressure when rising from a sitting or lying position, or a racing heart rate, especially during the first few weeks of treatment. If you feel dizzy or lightheaded or feel your pulse is racing, and this feeling does not go away after a few minutes, call your doctor. If you have heart disease (e.g., heart failure, heart attack) or are taking other medications that lower blood pressure, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Norvasc (Amlodipine), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Pregnancy: Norvasc (Amlodipine) should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Norvasc (Amlodipine), contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if Norvasc (Amlodipine) passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Norvasc (Amlodipine), it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of Norvasc (Amlodipine) have not been established for children less than 6 years of age.

Seniors: Seniors may be more sensitive to the side effects of Norvasc (Amlodipine). Your doctor may suggest a lower dose.

This medication is typically used only once a day. However, your pharmacist may have suggested a different schedule that is more appropriate for you. It is not advisable to stop using this product suddenly, particularly if you have been on it for several weeks. If you are considering stopping the medication, talk to your pharmacist first. It must be used regularly and continuously to maintain its beneficial effects. Be sure to keep an adequate supply on hand. If you remember missing a dose within 12 hours of the time it is usually taken, take it as soon as you remember, then take the next dose at the regularly scheduled time. If the dose is missed by more than 12 hours, skip the missed dose. Do not double the next dose to catch up. This medication may be taken with or without food. Consult your pharmacist before consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment. Grapefruit may change the effect of this drug in some people.