Biscot 10mg tablet

Introduction

Expert Advice

Avoid this medication if:

• You are allergic to this medicine or its contents.

Consult your doctor if:

• You are pregnant, planning to have a child, or breastfeeding.
• You have a medical history of liver disease, breathing disorders (asthma, bronchitis etc.), blood circulation diseases, Myasthenia gravis, thyroid disorders, or an irregular heart rhythm.
• Your symptoms are getting worse.

Be careful about:

• Taking the medicine timely, in the way that your physician has prescribed. Keep in mind that it may take 10-14 days before effects can be seen.
• Maintaining blood sugar if you are diabetic, while taking this drug.
• Check blood sugar levels if you are diabetic, and on medication to treat diabetes. Taking this  drug may make some of the signs of low blood sugar less prominent.
• Alcohol consumption should be avoided
• Performing any tasks that require alertness, such as driving, because this drug may cause dizziness. Only perform these tasks if you are confident.

Primary Uses

Indications

This medicine is used in treating or managing angina (chest pain) and hypertension (high blood pressure).

Side Effects

Some patients might experience bradycardia (slow heart rate), dry eyes, rash, fatigue or altered blood sugar levels. If you experience any of these conditions please consult your doctor.

Contraindications

Please consult your doctor before taking this medicine if you have any of these conditions; 2nd or 3rd degree AV block without pacemaker (heart disorder) or severe bradycardia (low heart rate)

FAQS

Will this drug cause bleeding?

This drug will not change bleeding tendency, or cause bleeding.

Will this drug cause changes in mood, body temperature, or energy?

Tiredness, cold hands and feet; and headaches/dizziness are all possible side effects of this drug.

Does this medicine affect the heart in any way?

This drug helps to slow down the rate at which the heart pumps blood. This reduces blood pressure, and reduces the load on the heart. This is why it can be used for heart failure patients, and patients with high blood pressure.

Does this drug cause coughing?

Coughing is not a commonly associated side effect of this medicine.

Will this drug make me dizzy?

It is a possible side effect. Try to avoid sudden changes in position, as this may cause dizziness.

Is this medicine safe to use in diabetic patients?

This medicine is safe to use in patients who are on anti-diabetic medication. However, they should keep track of their blood sugar levels. It is important to discuss all your medications with your physician before starting any new medication.

Which medicines should be avoided with Amlodidpine?

As per FDA recommendation, simvastatin dosage should be limited to 20 mg daily while taking amlodipine. Also, all the CYP3A4 enzyme inhibitors like diltiazem, ketoconazole, itraconazole & ritonavir should be avoided while taking amlodipine.

I have been experiencing swelling in hands and foot since I started using the medicine. I amconcerned whether this swelling will persist?

You don’t need to worry about the swelling, as it is one of the very common adverse effects of the drug. This will go off once you withdraw its use. But you still need to consult your physician if the condition is getting worse.

When is it safe to discontinue the medicine?

You are not advised to do so abruptly nor are you supposed to make this decision by yourself. Consult with your physician, who will most probably advise for a gradual withdrawal. This is done to avoid the chest pain and relapse of high blood pressure, which is usually observed in such scenarios.

In what forms is the medicine available?

It is available in tablet, drops and I/V (intravenous) forms.

I am a patient of dialysis and have a history of getting treated for hepatitis C too. So, is the medicine safe for me?

No, the drug is not safe for any kind of kidney or liver disease. Consult your physician for an alternative.

What is the best time to take this medicine?

It doesn’t really matter at what time of the day you take amlodipine, but it is best to take it at the exact time every day, for more even blood levels & more effectiveness of the medicine.

Why taking this medicine at night is useful?

New research shows that administering blood pressure medicines at bedtime effectively helps to reduce your risk of illness or death due to blood vessel & heart disease. Timings are important as BP follows a daily rhythm. It is high during the day & falls at nighttime.

How much does this medicine help reduce blood pressure?

It is seen that titration of amlodipine from 5-10 mg every day in patients not responding to the treatment with 5 mg dose showed significant decrease in BP.