Amlodipine Oral: Dosing and Precautions

Therapeutic action

Antihypertensive vasodilator (calcium channel blocker).

Indications

Hypertension.

Forms and strengths

• 5 mg tablet.

Dose

In older patients or patients with hepatic impairment, start with 2.5 mg once daily then increase gradually if necessary.

• Adult: 5 mg once daily. Increase to 10 mg once daily if necessary, maximum 10 mg daily.

Duration

According to clinical response.

Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

• Do not administer to patients with severe hypotension, shock, or unstable heart failure after acute myocardial infarction.
• May cause headache, dizziness, sensation of flushing or warmth, fatigue, and ankle oedema, especially at the start of treatment.
• May cause hypotension, palpitations, abdominal pain, nausea, and gingival hyperplasia.
• Administer with caution and monitor use with other antihypertensive drugs and drugs with hypotensive effects such as haloperidol and amitriptyline.
• Fluconazole, erythromycin, fluoxetine, and ritonavir may increase the effects of amlodipine, particularly the antihypertensive effect.
• Rifampicin, phenytoin, phenobarbital, and carbamazepine may decrease the effects of amlodipine.
• Pregnancy: no contra-indication. For the management of hypertension in pregnancy, use labetalol.
• Breast-feeding: avoid.