Amlodipine is a long-acting dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker that plays an important role in the treatment of hypertension, chronic stable angina pectoris, and vasospastic angina pectoris.
What Are the Side Effects of Amlodipine?
Common Side Effects
Edema: Shows a significant dose-dependent relationship (1.8% in the 2.5 mg dose group, 3.0% in the 5 mg group, and 10.8% in the 10 mg group). The incidence rate in females (14.6%) is significantly higher than that in males (5.6%).
Dizziness: The incidence rate ranges from 0.7% to 3.4% across different dose groups.
Flushing: More likely to occur in female patients (4.5% vs. 1.5% in males).
Palpitations: Also shows gender differences (3.3% in females vs. 1.4% in males).
Severe Adverse Reactions Requiring High Alert for Amlodipine
Risk of Exacerbated Angina Pectoris and Myocardial Infarction
In rare cases, especially in patients with severe obstructive coronary artery disease, a documented increase in the frequency, duration, and/or severity of angina pectoris or acute myocardial infarction may occur when initiating calcium channel blocker therapy or increasing the dosage.
Management Principles: If such symptoms occur, contact a doctor immediately or go directly to the emergency room.
Severe Allergic Reactions
Include cutaneous reactions such as angioedema and erythema multiforme.
High-Risk Population: Patients with a known hypersensitivity to amlodipine are contraindicated from using it.
Precautions for Amlodipine Administration
Individualized Dosage Regimen
Adult Hypertension: The initial dose is 5 mg once daily, with a maximum dose of 10 mg once daily.
Angina Pectoris Treatment: The recommended dose is 5-10 mg. Elderly patients and those with hepatic impairment are advised to use a lower dose.
Administration Standards and Requirements
Place the orally disintegrating tablet on the tongue and allow it to disintegrate before swallowing with saliva.
The tablet can be taken with food or on an empty stomach, including with grapefruit juice.
Administer the medication at a fixed time every day.
Drug Interactions
Sildenafil: When used concomitantly, both drugs can exert their antihypertensive effects independently.
Digoxin: Does not affect serum digoxin levels or the renal clearance of digoxin.
Warfarin: Does not alter the prothrombin response time of warfarin.
Atorvastatin: Concomitant use does not affect the steady-state pharmacokinetic parameters of atorvastatin.
Management Measures for Drug Overdose
Symptoms: May cause excessive peripheral vasodilation accompanied by significant hypotension, and may lead to reflex tachycardia.
Management Methods: Active cardiac and respiratory monitoring should be performed, and blood pressure should be measured frequently.
Special Treatment: Intravenous administration of calcium gluconate may help reverse the effect of calcium entry blockade.
