Amlodipine besylate belongs to a class of medications called calcium channel
blockers. It lowers blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels so the heart
does not have to pump as hard.

Amlodipine is used to treat certain types of angina (chest pain) and other
conditions caused by coronary artery disease (narrowing of the blood vessels
that supply blood to the heart).

Amlodipine besylate controls chest pain by increasing the supply of blood to
the heart. If taken regularly, this medicine controls chest pain, but it does
not stop chest pain once it starts. Your doctor may prescribe a different
medication to take when you have chest pain.

Amlodipine is also used alone or in combination with other medicines to treat
high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults and children at least 6 years
old. Lowering blood pressure may lower your risk of a stroke or heart attack.

**Amlodipine besylate is available as:**

  * Amlodipine 5 mg tablets (Norvasc)
  * Amlodipine 10 mg tablets (Norvasc)
  * Amlodipine 2.5 mg tablets (Norvasc)
  * Amlodipine 1 mg/mL solution (Norliqva)
  * Amlodipine 1 mg/mL oral suspenstion (Katerzia)





The most common amlodipine side may include:

  * dizziness, drowsiness;

  * swelling of your legs or ankles;

  * irregular heartbeat;

  * pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;

  * muscle stiffness;

  * uncontrolled muscle movements;

  * feeling tired;

  * stomach pain, nausea; or

  * flushing (sudden warmth, redness, or tingly feeling).

Get emergency medical help if you have **signs of an allergic reaction to
amlodipine:** hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips,
tongue, or throat.

In rare cases, when you first start taking this medicine, your chest pain may
get worse or you could have a heart attack. **Seek emergency medical attention
or call your doctor right away if you have symptoms such as:** chest pain or
pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating.

**Call your doctor at once if you have:**

  * worsening chest pain; or

  * a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to
FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Amlodipine side effects (more detail)