Amlodipine - Stepwards

Page Contents

1 WHAT IS IT?
2 WHEN DO WE USE IT?
3 WHEN DO WE AVOID USING IT?
4 HOW IS IT ADMINISTERED?
5 WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS/TOXICITY?
6 ANYTHING ELSE TO KEEP IN MIND?
7 FURTHER READING

WHAT IS IT?

Amlodipine (Norvasc) is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker (CCB)/class IV anti arrhythmic drug. It blocks voltage-dependent L-type calcium channels of cardiac/smooth muscle which in turn will diminish their contractility.

Amlodipine specifically (and other dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers) has increased activity on vascular smooth muscle and less activity on the ventricles of the heart.

WHEN DO WE USE IT?

Hypertension, angina, Raynaud phenomenon.

WHEN DO WE AVOID USING IT?

Aortic stenosis (can cause symptomatic hypotension)

HOW IS IT ADMINISTERED?

Orally without regard to meals.

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS/TOXICITY?

Peripheral edema, flushing, dizziness, constipation, gingival hyperplasia,

ANYTHING ELSE TO KEEP IN MIND?

The ending “-dipine” is used for dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers.