Amlodipine Tablets (5mg & 10mg)

What is Amlodipine?

Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker that is primarily used in the treatment of high blood pressure.

You need a prescription to buy Amlodipine. 

What is Amlodipine used for?

Amlodipine is primarily prescribed to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

It is also widely used to treat chronic stable angina and to prevent future heart disease, heart attacks and strokes.

Amlodipine helps to lower blood pressure by widening the blood vessels. As a result, blood is able to flow around the body easier, which also reduces the workload and pressure on the heart.

By easing the pressure on the heart, Amlodipine also reduces the risk of future heart attacks, strokes and developing heart disease. 

Why is Amlodipine recommended for high blood pressure?

Amlodipine is a first-line treatment option for high blood pressure.

It has been used to treat high blood pressure and other complications since 1990 and is featured on the World Health Organisation's List of Essential Medicines.

How does Amlodipine treat high blood pressure?

Amlodipine works by inhibiting the ion channels within the cells of the heart and blood vessels from absorbing calcium. Blood vessels need calcium in order to restrict and contract, this forces the heart to work harder when pumping the blood around the body and as a result increases blood pressure.

Amlodipine's inhibitory effect on ion channels prevents excessive constrictions in the coronary arteries and reduces peripheral vascular resistance, which is the resistance that must be overcome in order to pump blood around the circulatory system in the body.

Amlodipine reduces contractions and relaxes the muscles within the blood vessels, this results in the widening of the blood vessels (vasodilation) which allows blood to flow through the body using less force from the heart.

Who can take Amlodipine 5mg and 10mg tablets?

You should not take Amlodipine if you are trying to get pregnant or are already pregnant. If you suffer from kidney or liver problems, you should talk to your doctor before being prescribed the medication.

You should avoid eating grapefruit products and drinking grapefruit juice while taking your course of Amlodipine as it can increase the concentration of the medicine in your blood, increasing the risk of you suffering worse side effects.

Check with your doctor if this medicine is safe for you if any of the below apply:

• You have liver or kidney disease
• You have had an allergic reaction to Amlodipine or any other medicines in the past
• You are trying to get pregnant or are breastfeeding

Can you buy Amlodipine tablets over the counter?

No, Amlodipine is a prescription-only medicine (POM), so you can only buy it when it has been prescribed by a doctor.

Can you buy Amlodipine tablets online?

Yes, you can buy Amlodipine 5mg and 10mg tablets online from most UK pharmacies. Amlodipine is a prescription-only medicine, so you will need to complete an online health consultation with a doctor or healthcare professional, this is so they are able to assess your condition and ensure that Amlodipine 5mg or 10mg tablets are the most suitable treatment option for your condition.

Amlodipine alternatives

There are various medicines available to order online at Medicine Direct for the treatment of high blood pressure. 

Aside from Amlodipine, you can also order the following high blood pressure medications after completing an online consultation:

• Losartan
• Lercanidipine Hydrochloride
• Bisoprolol Fumarate
• Lisinopril
• Bendroflumethiazide

Amlodipine Dose

All of our doctors and pharmacists follow NICE guidelines when prescribing Amlodipine.

The dose of Amlodipine you are prescribed will be heavily dependent on your condition, diagnosis, and the severity of your blood pressure.

Typically, the initial starting dose for Amlodipine is:

Amlodipine has a very long half-life of 30 to 50 hours. The benefit of having such a long half-life is it can be taken in single doses once daily.

Amlodipine 5mg tablets

5mg of Amlodipine is frequently used as the initial dose by patients. Your doctor may adjust this dose after reviewing your symptoms and deciding on whether you have made an improvement or not.

Amlodipine 10mg tablets

10mg is required by most patients with angina. Your dosage may be increased to this strength if the lower dose was not effective in treating your symptoms.

How to take Amlodipine tablets

Usually, these tablets are taken once a day, orally, with a glass of water. While you can take it at any time during the day, it helps to take it at the same time every day. Please, follow the directions your doctor has given you.

You can take the tablet before or after eating. Make sure you swallow the medicine whole.

Do not double dose Amlodipine to make up for forgotten doses. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if you do not remember until you are close to taking your next scheduled pill, then skip the dose and continue your course as normal.

Amlodipine Side Effects

All medicines come with the danger of side effects. It is rare to experience any side effects while taking a medicine, but you should be aware of any possible signs that you may be reacting to the medicine.

If you are worried about symptoms you have started to exhibit, you must contact your doctor for advice. If your symptoms are more severe, seek immediate medical help.

Common side effects of Amlodipine include:

• Headache
• Feeling dizzy
• Increase in temperature or flushing of the face
• Heartbeat feeling more noticeable or pounding
• Ankles swelling

Please note that this list is not exhaustive. For a more extensive list please see the patient information leaflet inside the medication box.

Amlodipine Warnings and Drug Interactions

You must tell your doctor of all other medicines you are currently taking before being prescribed Amlodipine, as some medicines can interact negatively with it.

Below are some of the medicines which are known to negatively affect your body while you take Amlodipine:

• Some Antibiotics
• Other medicines used to treat high blood pressure
• Antifungal treatments
• Medication used to treat HIV or HCV
• Anti-epilepsy medicine
• Medicine that suppresses your immune system
• Some cholesterol-lowering medicine such as simvastatin if you take more than 20mg a day.

Please note that this is not a full list of drug interactions. Visit the NICE website for more information on medicines that interact with Amlodipine. 

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Amlodipine is not usually prescribed to those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Always speak to your doctor about taking this medication. Your doctor will assess the benefits and risks of taking Amlodipine during this time. 

Read more about taking Amlodipine during pregnancy and breastfeeding. 

Other Warnings

• You are advised not to consume grapefruit juice while taking this medication.
• Do not take this medication if you have hypotension (severe low blood pressure).
• Do not use this medication if you suffer from aortic stenosis or cardiogenic shock.
• Do not take this medication if you suffer from heart failure after a heart attack.

Amlodipine Ingredients

The main active ingredient within this medicine is: Amlodipine besylate

For a full list of the inactive ingredients, please read the Summary of Product Characteristics.

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