Amlodipine – Generic for Norvasc®

What Amlodipine Is and How It Works

Amlodipine (amlodipine besylate) is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker used for high blood pressure and chronic stable or vasospastic angina. It relaxes arterial smooth muscle by blocking L-type calcium channels. Arteries widen, resistance falls, and blood pressure drops. For angina, it improves coronary blood flow and reduces afterload to lessen chest pain episodes.

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This once-daily medicine comes as oral tablets, commonly 2.5 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg strengths. Most adults start with 5 mg daily, then adjust based on response. Some begin at 2.5 mg, especially older adults or those with liver impairment. The maximum usual dose is 10 mg once daily. Amlodipine is a long-acting blood pressure medicine with steady control over 24 hours. Heart rate often stays similar, though mild palpitations may occur in some people.

Amlodipine is the generic for the brand Norvasc. You may see listings such as amlodipine 5 mg tablet, amlodipine 10 mg pill, or amlodipine besylate 5mg/10mg tablets. It is used for hypertension and angina management; it is not for rapid relief of acute chest pain.

Dosage and Usage

• Adults with hypertension: typical start is 5 mg once daily; consider 2.5 mg in older adults or those with hepatic impairment. Titrate every 7–14 days. Max 10 mg once daily.
• Angina (chronic stable or vasospastic): 5–10 mg once daily, individualized to response and tolerability.
• Pediatric patients (6–17 years): 2.5–5 mg once daily, titrated cautiously.
• Administration: take at the same time each day, with or without food. Swallow tablets whole or split only if scored and approved for splitting by the prescriber.
• Missed dose: take when remembered unless it is close to the next dose. Do not double up.
• Do not stop suddenly without medical guidance; blood pressure may rise again.

• Store amlodipine at 15–25°C (59–77°F). Short exposures to 25–30°C are acceptable.
• Keep tablets dry, in the original bottle or a labeled pill organizer with a desiccant, away from humidity and light.
• Travel with your medicine in carry-on luggage. Avoid leaving tablets in a hot car or near heaters.
• Bring enough for the entire trip, plus extra days. Carry a copy of your prescription.
• If crossing time zones, keep roughly 24 hours between doses. Set phone reminders to help stay on schedule.

Benefits and Savings

Amlodipine lowers blood pressure effectively, which helps reduce risks of stroke and heart attack over time. For people with angina, it can decrease the frequency of chest pain and improve exercise tolerance. Once-daily dosing is convenient. Multiple strengths allow flexible titration, including common amlodipine 5 mg and amlodipine 10 mg options.

Choosing the generic amlodipine can lower monthly costs compared with branded Norvasc. You can save about 60–80% versus typical US pharmacy prices while accessing Canadian pricing. Multi-month supplies and bulk promotions may reduce the per-month amlodipine cost further. You can set simple reorder reminders so refills are not missed.

If you compare amlodipine price across strengths, review the cost per tablet as well as the dose you need; higher strengths may offer better value when split if appropriate and permitted by your prescriber.

Side Effects and Safety

• Common: swelling of the ankles or feet (peripheral edema), flushing, dizziness, fatigue.
• Headache, nausea, abdominal pain, or drowsiness may occur.
• Palpitations or a fast heartbeat can happen, especially with dose increases.
• Less common: muscle cramps, rash, or gingival hyperplasia.

Serious effects are uncommon but include significant hypotension, fainting, or worsening angina shortly after initiation or dose increases in those with severe coronary disease. Rare liver enzyme elevations and severe allergic reactions can occur. Use caution with severe aortic stenosis or in decompensated heart failure. Amlodipine does not cause hypoglycemia and does not interact with insulin or sulfonylureas to lower glucose.

Drug interactions can increase amlodipine levels. Potent CYP3A4 inhibitors (for example, clarithromycin, itraconazole, ritonavir, or certain antivirals) may raise exposure. Grapefruit products may have a modest effect and are best limited if advised. When taken with simvastatin, many guidelines limit simvastatin to 20 mg daily to reduce myopathy risk. Always review a full medication list with a clinician or pharmacist.

Onset Time

Blood pressure improvement often appears within 24–48 hours of starting amlodipine, with a steadier effect as the dose is maintained. Most of the blood pressure reduction is seen within 1–2 weeks. Some people need up to 2–4 weeks after a dose change for the full response. Angina benefits can begin within the first week as the dose stabilizes.

Compare With Alternatives

Other calcium channel blockers include nifedipine extended-release and diltiazem. If a clinician prefers blood pressure lowering with some heart-rate slowing, a non-dihydropyridine option like extended-release diltiazem may be selected. See our Diltiazem Hcl Cd page for an ER formulation commonly used for rate control and angina.

Beta-blockers are another option for hypertension and angina. Nebivolol is a newer beta-blocker that can be gentle on heart rate and blood pressure; learn more at Bystolic®. Atenolol is an older beta-blocker often used for blood pressure or angina as well.

Choice depends on coexisting conditions, heart rate goals, drug interactions, and tolerability. Many patients need two or more drug classes for optimal control.

Combination Therapy

• Amlodipine and valsartan (an ARB): effective blood pressure pair; can reduce edema risk compared with amlodipine alone.
• Amlodipine and losartan (another ARB): similar benefits to valsartan combinations.
• Amlodipine with an ACE inhibitor (for example, benazepril or lisinopril): helps target different pathways in hypertension.
• Amlodipine and metoprolol (a beta-blocker): useful in angina; monitor for dizziness or low blood pressure.
• Amlodipine with a thiazide diuretic (for example, hydrochlorothiazide): common, cost-effective regimen for blood pressure control.
• Fixed-dose options exist (for example, amlodipine/valsartan, amlodipine/benazepril, and amlodipine/atorvastatin).

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Candidates include adults with hypertension or chronic stable/vasospastic angina who need a once-daily option. It is not a rescue medicine for sudden chest pain. Use caution with severe low blood pressure, cardiogenic shock, or severe aortic stenosis. Dose reductions may be considered in hepatic impairment or in frail adults.

Pregnancy: data are limited; prescribers often prefer alternatives with more pregnancy experience, such as nifedipine extended-release, when appropriate. Discuss plans for pregnancy or breastfeeding with a clinician before starting or adjusting amlodipine. Small amounts may appear in breast milk.

Amlodipine heart rate effects are usually minimal, though some people notice palpitations or flushing, especially with dose changes. Monitor for ankle swelling; combining with an ARB or ACE inhibitor can help reduce edema risk.

To manage amlodipine cost, choose the generic amlodipine besylate. Compare per-tablet pricing across strengths. Ordering a multi-month supply can lower the effective monthly price. You can use simple reorder reminders before you run low. You may add other medicines or OTC items to the same parcel to spread shipping costs.

Authoritative Sources

Pfizer Norvasc (brand amlodipine) product information

Health Canada Drug Product Database: Amlodipine

FDA Prescribing Information: Amlodipine

Order Amlodipine from YouDrugstore: add to cart, upload your prescription, and we ship with prompt, express shipping.

This information is educational and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about diagnosis, treatment, and medication use.