Introduction
Expert Advice
Take with or without meals, to prevent stomach upset take with meals, contact prescriber if there is unrelieved headaches, vomiting, constipation, palpitation, arm, leg or facial swelling, weight gain or difficulty in breathing
Indications
Amlodipine is approved by the FDA in 1987, is a popular antihypertensive drug belonging to the group of drugs called dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers. Due to their selectivity for the peripheral blood vessels, dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers lower the incidence of myocardial depression and cardiac conduction abnormalities than caused by other calcium channel blockers.
Amlodipine is commonly used in the treatment of high blood pressure and angina. Amlodipine has antioxidant properties and an ability to enhance the production of nitric oxide (NO), an important vasodilator that decreases blood pressure . The option for single daily dosing of amlodipine is an amazing feature of this drug.
Side Effects
Headache, edema, fatigue, nausea, flushing and dizziness, rash, alopecia, angioedema, palpitations, dyspnoea, abdominal pain, back pain
Contraindications
Cardiogenic shocks, aortic stenosis, unstable angina, left ventricular outflow obstruction, severe hypotension, unstable heart failure following MI, hypersensitivity to dihydropyridines.
What should you monitor while taking Atorvastatin?
Serum triglycerides, cholesterol and LFTs should be evaluated before the start of therapy, and periodically thereafter.
How to store this medicine?
Please store the tablet form of this medicine at room temperature (18-25 Celsius).
Keep medicine away from excessive light and moisture.
Please keep it away from children.
What should you not take with Atorvastatin?
Avoid high cholesterol and high fat foods, excessive grapefruit or grapefruit juice and excess alcohol use.
What happens if you eat grapefruit while taking atorvastatin?
It contains a chemical that interferes with body ability to breakdown statin medications.
What should I do if I forget to take atorvastatin?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. But do not take if it has been more than 12 hours since the last dose.