Amlodipine is a medication prescribed to help control high blood pressure reducing heart attack and stroke risk this video will break down all the important questions you may have about this medication amlodipine belongs to a group of medications called calcium channel blockers these medications act on the muscle fibers of your circulation system and relax blood vessels and reduce strain on your heart for this reason amlodipine is effective in both controlling high blood pressure and reducing symptoms of angina is there

anyone who should not take amlodipine it’s best to speak with your doctor before taking this medication if you have any of the following conditions you have experienced a prior allergic reaction to amlodipine or other calcium channel blockers you experience postural hypotension where your blood pressure drops significantly when standing you suffer from an unpredictable form of angina known as unstable angina there’s a significant narrowing of your aortic heart valve or you suffer from liver disease or kidney disease is amlodipine

safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding amlodipine is not recommended for use in pregnancy and breastfeeding by its manufacturers therefore if you’re taking this medication and you’re planning on becoming pregnant or are already pregnant please consult with your doctor to find a suitable alternative your doctor will then weigh up the benefits of you taking this medication versus the risk of harm to your baby what is the correct dose of amlodipine amlodopine doses typically range between 2.

5 milligrams to 10 milligrams once a day the typical starting dose is 5 milligrams once daily dosing will vary from person to and will need adjusting depending on how well your blood pressure is controlled after starting this medication how to take amlodipine amlodipine should be taken once daily you can take this medication at any time of the day but keep it consistent most will take this medication in the morning you can take this medication with or without food but always take amlodipine with a large glass of water how long will i need to

take my medication most individuals will need to take amlodipine for the rest of their lives stopping this medication will likely result in the return of your high blood pressure over the long term controlling high blood pressure will help reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes how long does it take for amlodipine to work and lots of people will start working soon after you take this medication however it takes a week or so of regular dosing to reach its optimum effects your prescribing doctor will usually

leave a brief period around two weeks before re-evaluating your blood pressure and considering any dose adjustment because most individuals being treated for high blood pressure will never have experienced any symptoms of their disease you’re unlikely to feel any different whilst taking this medication are there any foods i should avoid if you’re taking amlodipine you should avoid any grapefruit products this is because grapefruit contains a chemical that can interfere with your body’s natural ability to break down your

medication therefore grapefruit juices can increase the levels of amlodipine in your blood and increase your risk of side effects can i drink alcohol with this medication drinking alcohol alongside your medication is safe providing you do so in moderation however for some the combination can cause dizziness if you’re one of these individuals that experience these symptoms it’s probably best to avoid alcohol i’ve missed my dose what should i do if you forget to take your amlodipine on time don’t worry take it as soon you remember however

if you only remember it the following day skip the mistos remember to take your next dose at the regular time do not double dose to make up for a missed one i’ve accidentally taken too much medication amolodopin overdose can be dangerous symptoms of overdose can include drowsiness and dizziness if you believe you’ve overdosed on amlodipine please seek emergency medical assessment are there any side effects fortunately most will not experience any side effects however as with all medications side effects can occur

common side effects you should discuss with your doctor are swelling of hands feet or legs muscle cramps tiredness or feeling weak dizziness flushing or indigestion constipation or diarrhea rarely people may experience more concerning side effects if you experience any of the following please consult with your doctor urgently the sensation of your heart racing or pounding episodes of chest pain damage to your liver which you may notice as a yellowing of the whites your eyes or inflammation of the pancreas which is

associated with abdominal pains allergic reactions are concerning as they can be life-threatening fortunately life-threatening allergic reactions are rare those with serious allergic reactions should call emergency services for assistance symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling of the face lips mouth and throat difficulty breathing wheezing or chest tightness and even an allergic skin rash of course this list is not exhaustive for a full list of side effects refer to the drug information leaflet that comes

with your medication i hope this video has supplied all the answers you were looking for thank for reaqding and we’ll see you in the next one, Good Bye.