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amlodipine besylate
Istin§, Norvasc

Pregnancy Risk Category C

How supplied
Tablets:
2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg

Action
Inhibits calcium ion influx across cardiac and smooth-muscle cells, thus decreasing myocardial contractility and oxygen demand; also dilates coronary arteries and arterioles.

Indications & dosage
Chronic stable angina, vasospastic angina (Prinzmetal's or variant angina)
--
Adults:
initially, 5 to 10 mg P.O. daily. Most patients require 10 mg daily.
Elderly:
initially, 5 mg P.O. daily.
Adjust-a-dose:
For small, frail patients or those with hepatic insufficiency, initially 5 mg P.O. daily.
Hypertension
--
Adults:
initially, 2.5 to 5 mg P.O. daily. Dosage adjusted according to patient response and tolerance. Maximum daily dose is 10 mg.
Elderly:
initially, 2.5 mg P.O. daily.
Adjust-a-dose:
For small, frail, patients; those currently receiving other antihypertensives; or those with hepatic insufficiency, initially 2.5 mg P.O. daily.

Adverse reactions
CNS:
headache, somnolence, fatigue, dizziness, light-headedness, paresthesia.
CV:
edema, flushing, palpitations.
GI:
nausea, abdominal pain.
Musculoskeletal:
muscle pain.
Respiratory:
dyspnea.
Skin:
rash, pruritus.

Interactions
None significant.

Effects on diagnostic tests
None reported.

Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to drug.

Nursing considerations

Patient teaching

*Liquid contains alcohol. **May contain tartrazine.  †Canada  ‡Australia  §U.K.  OTCOver the counter
Reactions may be common, uncommon, life-threatening, or COMMON AND LIFE-THREATENING

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