What is Amlodipine?

Amlodipine is a long-acting dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker used primarily for the treatment of hypertension and angina pectoris. It works by relaxing vascular smooth muscle, resulting in vasodilation and reduced blood pressure. Its long half-life of 30-50 hours allows for once-daily dosing with consistent 24-hour blood pressure control.

Indications

Amlodipine is indicated for the treatment of hypertension, chronic stable angina, and vasospastic (Prinzmetal) angina. It may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents. The ASCOT and ALLHAT trials demonstrated significant cardiovascular benefits of amlodipine-based therapy.

Dosage

The usual starting dose is 5 mg once daily, which may be increased to a maximum of 10 mg once daily. For elderly patients or those with hepatic impairment, a starting dose of 2.5 mg is recommended. The medication can be taken with or without food at any time of day.

Side Effects

The most common side effect is peripheral edema, occurring in approximately 10% of patients at the 10 mg dose. Other side effects include dizziness, flushing, and palpitations. Unlike some other calcium channel blockers, amlodipine has minimal effects on cardiac conduction and heart rate.