Amlodipine (Anti-Hypertensive Drug)

               Amlodipine is in a group of drugs called Calcium Channel Blockers. Amlodipine relaxes (widens) blood vessels and improves blood flow. Amlodipine is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) or chest pain (angina) and other conditions caused by coronary artery disease. This medication is for use in adults and children who are at least 6 years old.

Indications
1. Angina pectoris due to coronary artery spasm (Prinzmetal's variant angina)
2. Chronic stable angina, alone or in combination with other agents
3. Essential hypertension, alone or in combination with other antihypertensives.

Doses
1. Adult Amlodipine Dose for Hypertension :
Initial dose: 5 mg orally once a day
Maintenance dose: 5 to 10 mg orally once a day
2. Adult Amlodipine Dose for Angina Pectoris :
Most patients with chronic stable or vasospastic angina require 10 mg for adequate effect. In clinical studies, most patients with coronary artery disease required 10 mg.
3. Adult Amlodipine Dose for Coronary Artery Disease :
Chronic stable or vasospastic angina, or angiographically documented coronary artery disease in patients without heart failure or an ejection fraction less than 40%: 5 to 10 mg orally once a day
4. Geriatric Amlodipine Dose for Hypertension :
Initial dose: 2.5 mg orally once a day
Maintenance dose: 2.5 to 10 mg orally once a day
5. Geriatric Dose for Angina Pectoris :
Chronic stable or vasospastic angina: 5 to 10 mg orally once a day
The lower dose is recommended in the elderly; however, most patients require 10 mg for adequate effect.
6. Pediatric Dose for Hypertension :
6 to 17 years: 2.5 mg to 5 mg orally once a day
Doses in excess of 5 mg daily have not been studied in pediatric patients.

Adverse Effects
1. CNS: Dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, asthenia, fatigue, lethargy
2. GI: Nausea, abdominal discomfort
3. CV: Peripheral edema, arrhythmias
4. Dermatologic: Flushing, rash

Contraindications
1. Allergy to diltiazem
2. Impaired hepatic or renal function
3. Sick sinus syndrome
4. Heart block (second or third degree)
5. Lactation.