Norvasc (generic name: Amlodipine; brand names: Dailyvasc / Istin / Perivasc) is a calcium channel blocker.
Norvasc is used for the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension) and chest pain (angina pectoris).
Norvasc is one of the most prescribed brand name high blood pressure medicine worldwide. Norvasc works for patients with mild, moderate, or severe levels of high blood pressure.
Like other calcium channel blockers, Norvasc works by widening your blood vessels, making it easier for your heart to pump blood around the body, and helps increase the supply of blood and oxygen to your heart. Calcium channel blockers do not change the amount of calcium in your blood or bones.
Norvasc is available in 88 countries. It has been tested in more than 700 medical studies.
Recommendations
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. Take Norvasc exactly as directed.
The usual dose of Norvasc is one 5 mg tablet each day. Your doctor may prescribe another dose of Norvasc depending on your condition and how you respond to this medicine.
Norvasc can be taken once a day, with or without food and with most drinks, even grapefruit juice.
Swallow the tablet whole. Take your tablet at about the same time each day, either morning or evening.
Continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you. Do not miss any doses.
If you take nitroglycerin for angina, do not stop taking it while you are taking Norvasc. You can use nitroglycerin and Norvasc together. Norvasc can be taken with a variety of other medicines as well.
If you miss a dose of Norvasc and it is less than 12 hours from when you should take it, take it straight away, then continue as normal the next day. Otherwise, skip that day's dose but be sure to take the next day's dose when it is due. Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.
Keep your tablets at room temperature, away from heat and moisture.
Precautions
Before taking Norvasc, tell your doctor if:
you are allergic to any medicines;
you suffer from liver problems or heart failure;
you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant, or you are breast-feeding.
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