Brand Name

Norvasc {Pfizer}

Generic Name

amlodipine, pronounced am LOE di peen

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Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What is Norvasc?

Norvasc is a medication that is used to treat high blood pressure, chest pain, or other conditions caused by coronary artery disease. Norvasc is in a class of medications called calcium channel blockers, and works by widening and relaxing your blood vessels to help improve your blood flow.

Key Facts About Norvasc

Norvasc may be used to treat adults and children age 6 and older for high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, or chest pain, which is known as angina. Your doctor may prescribe Norvasc for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Drinking alcohol can lower your blood pressure, which may increase certain side effects of Norvasc. You should not drink alcohol while taking Norvasc.

When you first start taking Norvasc your chest pain may increase or get worse. Tell your doctor right away if your chest pain is severe or ongoing.

Norvasc is a part of a complete program that your doctor has prescribed for you. This program includes diet, exercise, weight control, and possibly other medications. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines closely.

Before You Take Norvasc

You should not take Norvasc if you are allergic to amlodipine.

Tell your doctor if you are taking any other heart or blood pressure medications.

Before taking Norvasc, tell your doctor if you have congestive heart failure, a heart valve problem called aortic stenosis or liver disease.

Norvasc is in FDA pregnancy category C. We do not know if Norvasc can harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant before taking Norvasc. It is also not known whether Norvasc passes into breast milk and could cause harm to a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are taking Norvasc.

If you are currently taking a beta-blocker drug, like Betapace, Blocadren, Corgard, Coreg, Inderal, InnoPran, Lopressor, Normodyne, Tenoretic, Tenormin, Toprol, Trandate or Zebeta do not suddenly stop using the beta-blocker without first talking to your doctor. Your doctor may have you taper down the dosage of your beta-blocker before stopping completely. If you stop using a beta-blocker suddenly you may be at risk for possible serious heart problems, which Norvasc cannot prevent.

While you are taking Norvasc try to avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, as it may cause you to feel dizzy. Be cautious when getting up, and do so slowly to avoid falling.

Norvasc Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• beta-blocker drugs (Betapace, Blocadren, Corgard, Coreg, Inderal, InnoPran, Lopressor, Normodyne, Tenoretic, Tenormin, Toprol, Trandate, Zebeta)
• calcium channel blockers or calcium supplements
• simvastatin (Zocor, Simcor, Vytorin)

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Norvasc. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Norvasc

Norvasc should be taken once a day, with or without food.

If you take nitroglycerin for angina you can continue to take it while you are taking Norvasc. You should not stop taking nitroglycerin while you are taking Norvasc if your doctor has prescribed both drugs for you.

Norvasc should be stored at room temperature, and away from both moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose of Norvasc you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose do not take the missed dose in addition to your regular dose.

Norvasc Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Norvasc and seek emergency medical help immediately:

• breathing difficulties
• chest pain or fluttering
• faint feeling
• general ill feeling
• hives
• nausea
• swelling of your face, lips, throat, tongue, ankles, hands or feet
• pain and heaviness in your chest which spreads to your arm and shoulder
• pounding or racing heart
• sweating

Less serious side effects may include:

• dizziness
• drowsiness
• exhaustion or unusually tired feeling
• flushing
• headache
• irregular or fast heartbeat
• stomach pain

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Norvasc. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Norvasc Description and Dosing

Norvasc is available in 2.5 mg, 5 mg and 10mg tablets.

The 2.5 mg tablets of Norvasc are white, diamond, flat-faced, beveled edged and engraved with “NORVASC” on one side and “2.5” on the other side.

The 5 mg tablets of Norvasc are white, elongated, octagon, flat-faced, beveled edged and engraved with both “NORVASC” and “5” on one side and nothing on the other side.

The 10 mg tablets of Norvasc are white, round, flat-faced, beveled edged and engraved with both “NORVASC” and “10” on one side and nothing on the other side.

The typical starting dose for adults with high blood pressure is 5 mg once daily.

The maximum dose for an adult with hypertension (high blood pressure) is 10 mg of Norvasc, taken once daily.

Pediatric patients between the ages of 6 and 17 usually receive a dose between 2.5 mg and 5 mg of Norvasc, once daily. Doses of Norvasc higher than 5 mg daily have not been studied in pediatric patients.

If you are taking Norvasc (amlodipine) and simvastatin (Zocor, Simcor, Vytorin) concurrently you should not exceed a 20 mg dose of simvastin daily. Ask your doctor for specific instructions on how to safely take these two drugs together.

All people taking Norvasc should consult their doctor for specific dosing pertaining to them. Do not attempt to alter or change your dose without your physician’s consent.

If you believe you may have overdosed with Norvasc seek emergency medical help immediately.

Ingredients in Norvasc

Norvasc contains the active ingredient, amlodipine besylate, as well as microcrystalline cellulose, dibasic calcium phosphate anhydrous, sodium starch, glycolate, and magnesium stearate.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.