Amlodipine

General

• Type: Antihypertensive (dihydropyridine-CCB)
• Dosage Forms: tablet
• Dosage Strengths: 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg
• Routes of Administration: PO
• Common Trade Names: Norvasc

Adult Dosing

1. hypertension
   • 5-10mg PO qDaily
   • Start: 5mg PO qDaily for intial antihypertesnive, do 2.5 if elderly or 2nd line drug

Pediatric Dosing

1. hypertension
   • 2.5-5mg PO qDaily

Special Populations

• Pregnancy Rating: C
• Lactation: Safety Unknown
• Renal Dosing
  • Adult: no adjustment
  • Pediatric: no adjustment
• Hepatic Dosing
  • Adult: Start at 2.5mg qDaily
  • Pediatric: not defined

Contraindications

• Allergy to class/drug
• Severe CAD, AS, CHF
• Re-dose/Caution: Elderly/Hepatic Impairment

Adverse Reactions

Serious

• Angina, MI
• Hypotension
• Hepatitis
• Erythema multiforme

Common

• Peripheral edema
• Fatigue
• Palpitations
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Flushing
• Eczematous eruptions

Pharmacology

• Half-life: 30-50h
• Metabolism: liver extensively; CYP450: 3A4
• Excretion: urine 59-62% (5-10% unchanged), bile/feces 20-25%
• Mechanism of Action: CCB-dihydropyridine

See Also

• Calcium channel blockers
• Calcium channel blocker toxicity