What side effects are possible with this medication?
A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. A side effect may be mild or severe, temporary or permanent, but does not occur in everyone. The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away over time. If you develop any of these side effects (or any other side effects not listed here) or they change in intensity, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice on managing them and on the risks and benefits of the medication.
- abdominal pain
- flushing
- headache
- nausea
- sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
- swelling of feet or ankles
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Click here to learn about serious side effects that can potentially occur with any medication. These examples are provided for information purposes only and are not meant to be exhaustive. Always consult your doctor for sound medical advice specific to your particular medication and treatment.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.
Heart attack and angina: On rare occasions some people, especially those with severe obstructive coronary artery disease, have developed severe angina or experienced a heart attack when starting to take this type of medication or increasing the dosage.
Liver disease: People with liver disease should be closely monitored by their doctor while taking amlodipine, as they may experience increased side effects.
Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if amlodipine passes into breast milk. Women should stop breast-feeding while they are taking this medication.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of this medication have not been established for children less than 6 years of age.
Seniors: Seniors may be more sensitive to the side effects of amlodipine.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
There may be an interaction between amlodipine and any of the following:
- benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam, lorazepam)
- beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol, atenolol)
- cyclosporine
- erythromycin
- flecainide
- fluconazole
- imipramine
- itraconazole
- ketoconazole
- phenobarbital
- propafenone
- quinidine
- rifampin
- terfenadine
- theophylline
If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.