APO-Amlodipine 5mg 250's

APO-Amlodipine tablets 5mg contain the calcium channel blocker amlodipine, which is used to treat hypertension to lower blood pressure and reduce risk of cardiovascular disease; also to prevent symptoms of chronic stable angina, like chest pain.  

APO-Amlodipine general information

What is APO-Amlodipine used for?

Apo-Amlodipine tablets 5mg are used to treat hypertension, which is high blood pressure when at rest.  Although there are usually no other symptoms, high blood pressure increases risk of cardiovascular disease and Amlodipine tablets 5mg reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack, by lowering blood pressure to normal resting levels.  Amlodipine tablets 5mg can be used as first line treatment either alone as monotherapy or in combination with other antihypertensive medications such as diuretics, beta blockers or ACE inhibitors, in people who have not achieved normal blood pressure with other medication.  APO-Amlodipine tablets 5mg are also used to treat coronary heart disease, which is narrowing of the arteries supplying the heart with oxygen and can cause heart attack and angina; also to treat chronic stable angina, to prevent symptoms like chest pain and to prevent heart attack, but not for acute angina, which requires a different type of medication to relieve symptoms.  For treatment of heart disease, APO-Amlodipine tablets 5mg can also be used as monotherapy or in conjunction with other medications like diuretics.

How does APO-Amlodipine work?

Apo-Amlodipine tablets 5mg contain amlodipine, which is a calcium channel blocker that inhibits the inflow of calcium ions across specific calcium channels in the cell membrane into smooth muscle cells of the heart (myocardium) and blood vessel walls (only arteries).  Calcium is needed for smooth muscle cells to contract, so by blocking calcium channels, smooth muscle cells contraction is prevented.  The result is that the smooth muscle cells relax, which causes peripheral arteries to widen (vasodilation) and this reduces the workload on the heart, which is the force needed for the heart to pump blood around the body (negative inotropic effect), increases oxygen supply to the heart, and decreases blood pressure.  Widening of the main arteries of the heart also increases the oxygen supply to the heart and, as the heart workload is reduced, the demand for oxygen is also reduced, which prevents chest pain symptoms of angina caused by lack of oxygen to the heart muscle.

What does APO-Amlodipine contain?

APO-Amlodipine contains the active ingredient amlodipine besylate (5mg), a calcium channel blocker used to treat hypertension and angina.

Treating hypertension (high blood pressure) with APO-Amlodipine

Apo-Amlodipine tablets 5mg contain amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker that is used to used to lower blood pressure in people with hypertension (high blood pressure at rest), who are at risk of cardiovascular disease due to high blood pressure; either as first line treatment, or in combination with other antihypertensive drugs, if normal blood pressure has not been achieved with other medication.  Amlodipine in Apo-Amlodipine tablets 5mg blocks the inflow of calcium ions, needed for contraction, into smooth muscle cells of the heart and blood vessel walls (only arteries), which causes blood vessel walls to relax and peripheral arteries to widen and this reduces the workload on the heart, which is the force needed for the heart to pump blood around the body, as measured by blood pressure.  The action of amlodipine also increases oxygen supply to the heart and decreases blood pressure, helping the heart to cope better and reducing risk of cardiovascular disease. 

APO-Amlodipine for angina

Apo-Amlodipine tablets 5mg contain amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker that is used to treat chronic stable angina, to prevent symptoms like chest pain and to prevent heart attack, but not acute angina, which requires a different type of medication to relieve symptoms.  Amlodipine in Apo-Amlodipine tablets 5mg blocks the inflow of calcium ions, needed for contraction, into smooth muscle cells of the heart and blood vessel walls (only arteries), which causes blood vessel walls to relax and peripheral arteries to widen.  The action of amlodipine in Apo-Amlodipine tablets 5mg reduces the workload on the heart and its demand for oxygen, while at the same time increasing oxygen supply to the heart, which prevents symptoms of angina caused by lack of oxygen to the heart muscle including chest pain and breathlessness on exertion. 

What are the side effects of APO-Amlodipine?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking APO-Amlodipine tablets 5mg include: headache, oedema (swelling of the ankles, feet, face or hands), flushing, palpitations, tiredness, drowsiness, dizziness, abdominal and pain nausea.

When should APO-Amlodipine not be used?

You should not use APO-Amlodipine tablets 5mg if you:

• are allergic to amlodipine or any ingredients in APO-Amlodipine
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney or liver disease
• have non-ischemic heart failure
• drink grapefruit juice as this may increase the amount of amlodipine absorption into the blood
• are taking medicines that interact with APO-Amlodipine, including ritonavir or Telaprevir for HIV, antifungals like ketoconazole, Alprostadil and Sildenafil for erectile dysfunction, antifungals like ketoconazole

What medications interact with APO-Amlodipine?

Several medications interact with APO-Amlodipine tablets 5mg and should either not be taken while you are taking APO-Amlodipine or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that increase hypotensive effect with APO-Amlodipine: Alprostadil and Sildenafil for erectile dysfunction
• Drugs that affect APO-Amlodipine: ritonavir or Telaprevir for HIV, antifungals like ketoconazole,

How should APO-Amlodipine be taken?

You should take your APO-Amlodipine once daily with a glass of water, with or without food.  The dose you take and for how long should be as recommended by your doctor.  If required your doctor may increase your dose.  You should continue to take your APO-Amlodipine as long as recommend by your doctor.

How long should you take APO-Amlodipine?

You should continue to take your APO-Amlodipine tablets 5mg as long as recommend by your doctor.

Missed dose of APO-Amlodipine

If you miss a dose of APO-Amlodipine tablets 5mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should APO-Amlodipine be stored?

You should store your APO-Amlodipine tablets 5mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.