AmlodipineAmlodipine Besylate

About Amlodipine

Amlodipine blocks calcium from entering the muscle of blood vessels and the heart and widens the arteries, which lowers blood pressure and eases angina. The label covers high blood pressure in adults and children 6 to 17; chronic stable angina; vasospastic (Prinzmetal’s) angina; and coronary artery disease confirmed by angiography in people without heart failure or a weakened heart pump, where it reduces hospital admissions for angina and procedures to reopen the arteries. Adults usually start at 5 mg once a day, up to 10 mg, generally waiting 7 to 14 days between steps; small, frail or older adults and people with liver impairment can start at 2.5 mg. Children take 2.5 to 5 mg once a day; higher doses have not been studied in them. For angina and coronary artery disease the dose is 5 to 10 mg, and most people in studies needed 10 mg.

There is no boxed warning, and the only contraindication is sensitivity to amlodipine. Blood pressure can fall too far, especially with severe aortic stenosis, though its gradual onset makes a sudden drop unlikely. Angina can worsen, or a heart attack occur, after it is started or the dose is raised, particularly in severe obstructive coronary artery disease, and in severe liver impairment the dose is raised slowly. Swelling (edema), for example of the feet and ankles, is the most common side effect, rises with the dose and was more common in women in studies; tiredness, nausea, stomach pain and sleepiness are also reported. Reports since approval include breast enlargement in men, jaundice and raised liver enzymes, and a possible link to movement disorders.

Steady levels build up over 7 to 8 days of daily doses. The liquids hold 1 mg per mL: Katerzia, a suspension of amlodipine benzoate, is kept in the refrigerator and shaken before use, while Norliqva, a solution, is kept at room temperature. Sdamlo, approved in July 2025, comes in single-dose bottles of powder: 15 mL of water is added and the powder dissolves in about 60 seconds with no need to shake, then the whole contents are taken within 60 minutes and the bottle is rinsed once or twice with water that is also swallowed. Amlodipine passes into breast milk, with no harmful effects seen in breastfed infants. In studies, grapefruit juice did not change amlodipine levels. Combinations such as amlodipine with valsartan or with benazepril are separate products with their own labels.

Taking Amlodipine

How to take it

Once a day at about the same time, with or without food. Shake Katerzia well before each dose and measure any liquid with a dosing cup or oral syringe, never a household spoon. Take mixed Sdamlo within 60 minutes and do not store it.

If you miss a dose

Take it when you remember, but if the next dose is due in less than 12 hours, skip the missed dose and take the next one at the usual time. Do not take a double dose.

Storage

Tablets and Norliqva at room temperature, away from light, heat and moisture; Sdamlo at room temperature in its original packaging; Katerzia in the refrigerator, protected from light and never frozen. Keep all out of reach of children.

Interactions to know about

Simvastatin is limited to 20 mg a day with amlodipine. CYP3A inhibitors raise its levels (diltiazem did in a study, and strong ones such as itraconazole and clarithromycin may raise them more), so the dose may need to be lowered, and blood pressure is watched closely with CYP3A inducers. It can raise cyclosporine and tacrolimus levels, and sildenafil adds to its blood pressure lowering.

This summarizes the official prescribing information. Your prescriber’s and pharmacist’s instructions, and the leaflet that comes with your medicine, take priority.

Why the cash price for Amlodipine differs from pharmacy to pharmacy

Generic amlodipine tablets have many makers and cost pharmacies little, so much of a quote is the dispensing fee and markup, which differ between pharmacies. A prescription that names Norvasc and blocks substitution is priced as a brand.

A suspension, a solution and a powder are not interchangeable, so the quote depends on the product named; Norliqva and Sdamlo have no generic and are priced as brands.

Ways to pay less for Amlodipine without insurance

• Ask for generic amlodipine tablets, and make sure the prescription does not block substitution.
• Ask whether amlodipine is on the pharmacy’s flat-price generic list, and compare more than one pharmacy.
• Once your dose is stable, ask for a ninety-day supply.
• If a liquid is prescribed, ask the prescriber whether tablets would suit; for Katerzia, ask whether a generic suspension is available, and for Norliqva or Sdamlo, ask the maker about a savings program for someone paying cash.
• Upload the prescription to Script Unlock so licensed pharmacies can quote their cash price. You pay the pharmacy directly.

Questions to ask your pharmacist about Amlodipine

1. 1.How much ankle swelling is expected, and when should I call about it?
2. 2.Do I need to change my simvastatin dose while taking it?
3. 3.Do any of my antibiotics, antifungals or transplant medicines interact with it?
4. 4.Which chest pain or heartbeat symptoms after a dose change mean I should get help?

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