Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Amlodipine. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Amlodipine. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• dizziness
• flushing
• headache
• nausea
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• stomach pain
• swelling of ankles or feet
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• abnormal heartbeat (e.g., pounding heartbeat, slow heartbeat, fast heartbeat)
• dizziness or fainting when rising from a lying or sitting position
• increased angina symptoms (e.g., more frequent or intense chest pain)
• signs of liver problems (e.g., nausea, vomiting, Diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools)

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• symptoms of a Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) (e.g., Hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of the mouth, tongue, face, or throat)
• symptoms of a Heart Attack (e.g., chest pain, pressure or heaviness; nausea; shortness of breath; cool, clammy skin; anxiety)
• unexpected muscle stiffness, difficulty moving or unwanted movements

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Amlodipine.

5 mg
Each white, octagonal tablet, with two "N"s and a vertical scoreline on one side and "5" on the other side, contains amlodipine besylate equivalent to 5 mg of amlodipine. Nonmedicinal ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, calcium phosphate (dibasic) anhydrous, sodium starch glycolate, and magnesium stearate.

10 mg
Each white, octagonal tablet, with "N" on one side and "10" on the other side, contains amlodipine besylate equivalent to 10 mg of amlodipine. Nonmedicinal ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, calcium phosphate (dibasic) anhydrous, sodium starch glycolate, and magnesium stearate.

Do not take amlodipine if you:

• are allergic to amlodipine or any ingredients of the medication
• are allergic to other medications of the same class (e.g., Felodipine, Nifedipine)
• have very Low Blood Pressure

There may be an interaction between amlodipine and any of the following:

• Abiraterone
• Acetazolamide
• Aldesleukin
• Aliskiren
• alpha blockers (e.g., Alfuzosin, Doxazosin, Tamsulosin)
• Amiodarone
• amphetamines (e.g., Dextroamphetamine, lisdexamphetamine)
• angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs; Captopril, Enalapril, Ramipril)
• angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs; e.g., candasartan, Irbesartan, Losartan)
• Aprepitant
• antacids
• "azole" antifungal medications (e.g., fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole)
• barbiturates (e.g., butalbital, pentobarbital, Phenobarbital)
• beta-blockers (e.g., Atenolol, Metoprolol, Propranolol)
• boceprevir
• Bosentan
• calcium supplements (e.g., calcium carbonate, calcium citrate)
• Carbamazepine
• Clopidogrel
• conivaptan
• Cyclosporine
• Dabrafenib
• Dasatinib
• Deferasirox
• Desipramine
• diazoxide
• diuretics (water pills; e.g., Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide, triamterene)
• dofetilide
• Duloxetine
• Enzalutamide
• Flecainide
• grapefruit juice
• Guanfacine
• Haloperidol
• Hepatitis C antiviral combinations (e.g., ombitasvir - paritaprevir - ritonavir - dasabuvir, ombitasvir - paritaprevir - ritonavir)
• HIV non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs; e.g., delavirdine, efavirenz, etravirine, nevirapine)
• HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., atazanavir, indinavir, ritonavir)
• Hydrocodone
• imatinib
• Imipramine
• levodopa
• Lomitapide
• macrolide antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin, erythromycin)
• melatonin
• Methylphenidate
• mifepristone
• Minoxidil
• Modafinil
• nefazodone
• nitrates (e.g., Nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate)
• Obinutuzumab
• other calcium channel blockers (e.g., Diltiazem, nifedipine, Verapamil)
• Pentoxifylline
• Phenytoin
• phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (e.g., Sildenafil, Tadalafil, Vardenafil)
• Pimozide
• primidone
• quinidine
• rifabutin
• rifampin
• Rituximab
• St. John's wort
• second-generation antipsychotics (e.g., Clozapine, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone)
• simeprevir
• Simvastatin
• Stiripentol
• Tacrolimus
• Theophylline
• Tizanidine
• Tocilizumab
• Yohimbine

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Amlodipine. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin taking a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should take Amlodipine.

Chest pain/heart attack: Rarely, Amlodipine may worsen angina (chest pain) or precipitate a heart attack when it is first started or when the dose is increased. People with severe heart disease seem to be more at risk. If you experience worsening chest pain or symptoms of a heart attack (e.g., chest pain, pressure, or heaviness; nausea; shortness of breath; cool, clammy skin; anxiety) while taking Amlodipine, get immediate medical attention.

Grapefruit juice: Grapefruit juice may increase the effects of amlodipine. Avoid grapefruit juice while taking Amlodipine.

Liver function: Liver disease or reduced liver function may cause Amlodipine to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have liver disease or decreased liver function, discuss with your doctor how Amlodipine may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Amlodipine, and whether any special monitoring is needed. Your doctor may recommend a lower dose.

Low blood pressure: Like other medications for blood pressure, amlodipine may cause a lowering of blood pressure when rising from a sitting or lying position, or a racing heart rate, especially during the first few weeks of treatment. If you feel dizzy or lightheaded or feel your pulse is racing, and this feeling does not go away after a few minutes, call your doctor. If you have heart disease (e.g., heart failure, heart attack) or are taking other medications that lower blood pressure, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Amlodipine, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Pregnancy: Amlodipine should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Amlodipine, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if amlodipine passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Amlodipine, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of amlodipine have not been established for children less than 6 years of age.

Seniors: Seniors may be more sensitive to the side effects of amlodipine. Your doctor may suggest a lower dose.

Amlodipine belongs to the family of medications known as calcium channel blockers. Amlodipine is used to treat high blood pressure and Angina (chest pain). It works to control blood pressure and reduces the number of angina attacks by widening and relaxing blood vessels.

Amlodipine may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of Amlodipine may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of Amlodipine may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested Amlodipine for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking Amlodipine, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking Amlodipine without consulting your doctor.

Do not give Amlodipine to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take Amlodipine if their doctor has not prescribed it.