APO-Amlodipine 10mg 250's

Apo-Amlodipine tablets 10mg are a generic medication containing the calcium channel blocker amlodipine, which is used to treat hypertension to lower blood pressure; and to prevent symptoms of chronic stable angina, like chest pain.

Apo-Amlodipine general information

What is Apo-Amlodipine used for?

Apo-Amlodipine tablets 10mg are used to lower blood pressure in people with hypertension (high blood pressure), who are at risk of cardiovascular disease due to high blood pressure; either as the first line treatment, or in combination with other antihypertensive drugs in people who have not achieved normal blood pressure with other medication. Apo-Amlodipine tablets 10mg are also used 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.

How does Apo-Amlodipine work?

Apo-Amlodipine tablets 10mg 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, contraction is prevented. The result is that the smooth muscle cells relax allowing 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), increasing oxygen supply to the heart and decreasing 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 tablets 10mg contain the active ingredient amlodipine besilate, a calcium channel blocker used to treat hypertension and angina.

Treating hypertension (high blood pressure) with Apo-Amlodipine

Apo-Amlodipine tablets 10mg 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, in people who have not achieved normal blood pressure with other medication. Apo-Amlodipine tablets 10mg block the inflow of calcium ions, needed for contraction, into smooth muscle cells of the heart and blood vessel walls (only arteries) allowing 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 reducing risk of cardiovascular disease.

Treating angina with Apo-Amlodipine

Apo-Amlodipine tablets 10mg 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. They are not used for acute angina, which requires a different type of medication to relieve symptoms. Apo-Amlodipine tablets 10mg block 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 reduces the workload on the heart and its demand for oxygen, while at the same time increasing oxygen supply to the heart, which prevents chest pain symptoms of angina caused by lack of oxygen to the heart muscle; also helping the heart to cope better and reducing symptoms of breathlessness on exertion.

What are the side effects of Apo-Amlodipine?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Apo-Amlodipine tablets 10mg 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 Amlodipine tablets 10mg if you:

• are allergic to to amlodipine, dihydropyridines (other calcium channel blockers) or any of the ingredients in Apo-Amlodipine tablets
• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• have liver or kidney disease or heart failure
• drink grapefruit juice as this may increase the amount of amlodipine absorption into the blood
• the antifungal ketoconazole, without discussion with your doctor

How should Apo-Amlodipine be taken?

You should take your Apo-Amlodipine tablets 10mg once daily with a glass of water, with or without food. The dose you take should be as recommended by your doctor and may be increased, if required. You should continue to take your Apo-Amlodipine tablets 10mg once daily for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for a long period as they will control your condition but will not cure it.

How long should you take Apo-Amlodipine?

You should continue to take your Apo-Amlodipine tablets 10mg once daily for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for a long period as they will control your condition but will not cure it.

Missed dose of Apo-Amlodipine

If you miss a dose of Apo-Amlodipine tablets 10mg 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 10mg at room temperature below 25°C in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight.