Amlodipine

What it is used for

Amlodipine besylate tablets are a type of medicine known as a calcium channel blocker (CCB). It is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and a type of chest pain called angina. It can be used by itself or with other medicines to treat these conditions.

High Blood Pressure (hypertension) High blood pressure comes from blood pushing too hard against your blood vessels. Amlodipine besylate tablets relax your blood vessels, which lets your blood flow more easily and helps lower your blood pressure. Drugs that lower blood pressure lower your risk of having a stroke or heart attack.

Angina Angina is a pain or discomfort that keeps coming back when part of your heart does not get enough blood. Angina feels like a pressing or squeezing pain, usually in your chest under the breastbone. Sometimes you can feel it in your shoulders, arms, neck, jaws, or back. Amlodipine besylate tablets can relieve this pain.

How to take it

• Take amlodipine besylate tablets once a day, with or without food.
• It may be easier to take your dose if you do it at the same time every day, such as with breakfast or dinner, or at bedtime. Do not take more than one dose of amlodipine besylate tablets at a time.
• If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Do not take amlodipine besylate tablets if it has been more than 12 hours since you missed your last dose. Wait and take the next dose at your regular time.
• Other medicines: You can use nitroglycerin and amlodipine besylate tablets together. If you take nitroglycerin for angina, don't stop taking it while you are taking amlodipine besylate tablets.
• While you are taking amlodipine besylate tablets, do not stop taking your other prescription medicines, including any other blood pressure medicines, without talking to your doctor.
• If you took too much amlodipine besylate tablets, call your doctor or Poison Control Center, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

Side effects, and when to stop

Amlodipine besylate tablets may cause the following side effects. Most side effects are mild or moderate:

• swelling of your legs or ankles
• tiredness, extreme sleepiness
• stomach pain, nausea
• dizziness
• flushing (hot or warm feeling in your face)
• arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
• heart palpitations (very fast heartbeat)
• muscle rigidity, tremor and/or abnormal muscle movement

It is rare, but when you first start taking amlodipine besylate tablets or increase your dose, you may have a heart attack or your angina may get worse. If that happens, call your doctor right away or go directly to a hospital emergency room.

Tell your doctor if you are concerned about any side effects you experience. These are not all the possible side effects of amlodipine besylate tablets. For a complete list, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or by visiting www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Who should not take it

Do not use amlodipine besylate tablets if you are allergic to amlodipine (the active ingredient in amlodipine besylate tablets ), or to the inactive ingredients. Your doctor or pharmacist can give you a list of these ingredients.

What to say before you start

Tell your doctor about any prescription and non-prescription medicines you are taking, including natural or herbal remedies. Tell your doctor if you:

• ever had heart disease
• ever had liver problems
• are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. Your doctor will decide if amlodipine besylate tablets are the best treatment for you.
• are breastfeeding. Amlodipine besylate passes into your milk.

What to avoid

• Do not start any new prescription or non-prescription medicines or supplements, unless you check with your doctor first.

Storing it

Keep amlodipine besylate tablets away from children. Store amlodipine besylate tablets at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F). Keep amlodipine besylate tablets out of the light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep amlodipine besylate tablets in a dry place.

General advice about amlodipine besylate tablets Sometimes, doctors will prescribe a medicine for a condition that is not written in the patient information leaflets. Only use amlodipine besylate tablets the way your doctor told you to. Do not give amlodipine besylate tablets to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them. You can ask your pharmacist or doctor for information about amlodipine besylate tablets.

Manufactured by: OXFORD PHARMACEUTICALS Birmingham, AL 35211

8200026 Revised: 12/21 R01