Norvasc

Norvasc is a drug licensed to treat high blood pressure, angina, and coronary artery disease. This prescription drug is a form of calcium channel blocker that helps slow down the rate at which calcium moves into your heart and blood vessel walls, which relaxes the vessels and allows better blood flow. Potential side effects of Norvasc include swelling, dizziness, and nausea.

 

What Is Norvasc?

Norvasc® (amlodipine besylate) is a prescription medication used to treat various conditions of the heart and blood vessels.
 

Who Makes It?

Norvasc is manufactured by Pfizer, Inc.
 

What Is Norvasc Used For?

The medication has been licensed for several uses. These uses for Norvasc include:
 
 
 
 
(Click Norvasc Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
 

How Does It Work?

Norvasc is part of a class of drugs called
 calcium channel blockers. It helps slow down the rate at which calcium moves into your heart and into the blood vessel walls. This, in turn, helps to relax the vessels, which allows better blood flow and causes lower blood pressure. It also makes it easier for the heart to pump blood.
 
There are two basic types of calcium channel blockers: dihydropyridine and non-dihydropyridine. The most important difference between the two types is that non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers can slow down the heart rate, while dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers do not. Norvasc is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, which means that it does not have an effect on heart rate.
 

Effects of Norvasc

Norvasc decreases blood pressure, reducing the risks that can occur with long-term high blood pressure (see Effects of High Blood Pressure). In clinical studies, the medication reduced systolic blood pressure by 12 points and diastolic blood pressure by 7 points, on average, in people with mild to moderate high blood pressure.
 
In people with exercise-induced angina (chronic stable angina), taking Norvasc increased the amount of time they could exercise before chest pain occurred.
 
For people with variant angina (Prinzmetal's angina), the medication decreased the number of angina attacks.
 

When and How to Take It

Some general considerations for when and how to take Norvasc include the following:
 
  • The medication comes in tablet form. It is taken by mouth, usually once a day.
  • You can take Norvasc with or without food. If the medication bothers your stomach, try taking it with food.
  • Norvasc should be taken at the same time each day to maintain an even level in your blood.
  • For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Norvasc will not work if you stop taking it.
     

Dosing Information

The dose of Norvasc your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • Your age
  • The medical condition you are being treated for
  • Other medical conditions
  • Other medications you may be currently taking.
     
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 
(Click Norvasc Dosing for more information.)
 

Side Effects of Norvasc

As with any medicine, side effects can occur with Norvasc. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it well. If side effects occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
 
Common side effects include but are not limited to:
 
  • Swelling or water retention (edema)
  • Feelings of a rapidly or forcefully beating heart (heart palpitations)
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Flushing (redness of the skin, especially the face)
  • Abdominal pain (stomach pain)
  • Drowsiness.
     
(Click Norvasc Side Effects to learn more, including possibly serious side effects you should report to your healthcare provider.)
 
You can also read about specific side effects in the following eMedTV articles:
 

Drug Interactions

There are no known drug interactions with Norvasc (see Norvasc Drug Interactions for more information).
 

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Norvasc?

Talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking the drug if you have:
 
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
 
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 
(Click Norvasc Precautions and Warnings for more information, including information on who should not take the drug.)
 

What If I Take an Overdose?

People who take too much Norvasc may have overdose symptoms that could include:
 
If you happen to take too much, seek medical attention immediately.
 
(Click Norvasc Overdose for more information.)
 

How Should the Medication Be Stored?

Norvasc should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. The tablets should be stored in an airtight container. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.
 

What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?

If you do not take your Norvasc as scheduled, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.
 

Strengths of Norvasc

Tablets are available in three strengths:
 

Generic Norvasc

Currently, both brand-name and generic versions of Norvasc are licensed for sale (see Generic Norvasc for more information).
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;