Amlodipine is one of the most widely used blood pressure medications. But why do doctors prescribe it so often? Let’s break it down.
What is Amlodipine?
Amlodipine is an oral dihydropyridine Calcium Channel blocker used in the treatment of heart diseases.
For context, calcium channel blockers (CCBs), are a class of antihypertensives, divided into:
- Dihyropyridines
- Non-dihydropyridines
What is their mechanism of action?
Calcium channel blockers work by blocking voltage dependent L-type calcium channels in the heart, blood vessels and pancreas.
These channels regulate calcium influx into muscle cells, and with reduced calcium, the muscles relax, and the blood vessels open up.
This leads to a reduction in blood pressure, and improved blood flow.
Why is Amlodipine different?
- Unlike other CCBs, Amlodipine has a half-life of 30-50 hours, making it suitable as a once-daily dosing.
- It has strong blood pressure lowering effects, and works for all age groups.
- It is safe for patients with other conditions like chronic kidney disease, diabetes and asthma.
- It can be combined with other blood pressure medications for better blood pressure control.
- It is affordable and highly available.
- Additionally, it is well tolerated by blacks and elderly people (little side effects), making it a universal drug of choice.
What conditions doest it treat?
It is used in treating:
- Hypertension: It lowers blood pressure and reduces risk of complications
- Angina (Chest pain): It improves blood flow and supply to the heart
- Coronary artery disease.
Off-label, it can be used for:
- Diabetic nephropathy
- Raynaud’s phenomenon
- Silent myocardial ischemia
- Left ventricular hypertrophy
How to take Amlodipine
- Amlodipine is available in 2.5mg, 5mg and 10mg tablets.
- It is mostly started as a 5mg once daily dosing, and maintained as a 10mg dosing.
- It can be taken with or without food, and at the same time everyday.
NB: Do not stop amlodipine suddenly as it may cause a spike in blood pressure.
What are the side effects?
Common side effects include:
- Swelling in the feet and ankles
- Dizziness or Lightheadedness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Fatigue
If you experience severe side effects, please seek medical attention immediately.
Who should avoid Amlodipine?
- People with hypotension
- Those allergic to Amlodipine
- Patients with advanced heart failure
- Those with severe liver disease.
For better blood pressure control, amlodipine is often combined with other blood pressure medications.
However, it’s important not to overdose on it, because it leads to severe hypotension.
Amlodipine is universally prescribed because it is effective, safe, long-acting, well tolerated and affordable.
It works for most patients with hypertension, angina and coronary artery disease, making it a first line treatment worldwide.
By Pharm. Uluoma @zizelle_
