Norliqva, Norvasc

Introduction

Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Rosanna Sutherby, PharmD
Updated on July 10, 2023

Amlodipine (am LOE di peen) is a generic medication prescribed for high blood pressure and certain kinds of heart disease. Amlodipine belongs to a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved amlodipine to treat:

• high blood pressure in adults and certain children
• angina (a type of chest pain) in adults
• coronary artery disease in adults

Side effects of amlodipine

Amlodipine may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of amlodipine and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about amlodipine’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for amlodipine listed in the “Article resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of amlodipine are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about amlodipine’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for amlodipine listed in the “Article resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Amlodipine oral tablet’s mild side effects include:

• edema (swelling)
• fatigue (low energy)
• nausea
• sleepiness
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for amlodipine” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of amlodipine are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about amlodipine’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for amlodipine listed in the “Article resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, amlodipine’s serious side effects include:

• heart attack
• low blood pressure that causes symptoms such as dizziness or fainting
• worsening angina (a type of chest pain)
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for amlodipine” section.

Uses of amlodipine

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as amlodipine for certain conditions. Approved uses for amlodipine are described below.

Use for certain heart and blood vessel problems

Doctors may prescribe amlodipine oral tablet for treating high blood pressure, angina (a type of chest pain), and coronary artery disease (CAD). It’s used for these purposes in adults. It’s also used for high blood pressure in children ages 6 years and older. Amlodipine is usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

With high blood pressure, you might not have any symptoms. So you may not realize you have it unless you check your blood pressure regularly. High blood pressure increases the risk of life threatening problems, such as heart attack or stroke. Treating high blood pressure with amlodipine can decrease the risk of these problems.

With CAD, plaque (a fatty buildup) narrows the arteries that supply the heart muscle with blood. This causes symptoms that include chest pain. It also increases the risk of heart attack and heart failure. Amlodipine can help manage CAD and its symptoms.

Amlodipine can be prescribed alone or with other medications to treat heart and blood vessel problems.

Common questions about amlodipine

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about amlodipine.

Is it safe to eat bananas while taking amlodipine?

Yes, it’s safe to eat bananas while taking amlodipine. Bananas are high in potassium, which can cause problems with other kinds of blood pressure or heart medications. But it generally isn’t a problem with amlodipine.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about foods that could interact with amlodipine.

How does amlodipine work? And how long does it take to start working?

Amlodipine works by relaxing the blood vessels. This widens them and lowers blood pressure. It also makes it easier for the heart to pump blood throughout the body. Doing so helps relieve symptoms such as angina (a type of chest pain), which is caused by the heart working too hard.

Amlodipine starts working as soon as you take it. But it can take a few weeks to see its maximum effects. Because of this, doctors usually wait 7–14 days to check whether they need to adjust the dosage of amlodipine.

If you’d like to know more about how amlodipine works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Interactions and warnings for amlodipine

Below, you’ll find information about amlodipine’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of amlodipine

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take amlodipine, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for amlodipine” section below.

Warnings for amlodipine

Some people should not take amlodipine, and others should take it cautiously.

Amlodipine could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether amlodipine is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for amlodipine, and be sure to tell them about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Amlodipine can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to amlodipine or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe amlodipine. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to amlodipine, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of amlodipine

If you take amlodipine by mouth, you should not take more amlodipine than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much amlodipine, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and amlodipine

Information about amlodipine and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Amlodipine and pregnancy

It’s not known whether amlodipine should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Amlodipine and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether amlodipine should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know if you have questions about amlodipine or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Am I at a higher risk of side effects than other people?
• Do you need to adjust my dosage of amlodipine if I take other medications?
• How does amlodipine compare to other medications that could treat my condition?

Resources

• Amlodipine besylate tablets, USP. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/feb9438a-9cbc-4855-e053-6394a90af15e/spl-doc  
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.