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 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 is that non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers can slow 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.
Norvasc has been approved to
treat high blood pressure in children as young as six years old. Be sure to talk to your child's healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of using the drug in children.
Off-Label Uses for Norvasc
On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend Norvasc for treating something other than the conditions discussed in this article. This is called an "
off-label" use. At this time, off-label Norvasc uses include treatment for:
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