Have you or someone in your family ever been prescribed a medicine by a doctor to control high blood pressure , or for chest pain (angina) that sometimes occurs? If so, you may be familiar with the name ' Amlodipine '. Although it is most often available as a pill , it is also given as a liquid to some people, especially children and those who have difficulty swallowing pills. So, today we will talk about this medicine, how to use it, and what we need to be careful about.
What exactly is Amlodipine?
Simply put, Amlodipine is a medication used to treat conditions such as high blood pressure and chest pain (angina).
Imagine that we are squeezing a water pipe with our hands. Then it is difficult for the water to flow, and the pressure inside the pipe increases. Our blood vessels are like that. When they contract and become tight, it is difficult for the blood to flow, and then the blood pressure , or pressure , increases. The heart also has to work hard to pump blood.
Amlodipine works by 'relaxing' those tight, constricted blood vessels . It's like releasing a water pipe that's been squeezed. This increases the space inside the blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily. This reduces blood pressure and reduces the workload on the heart.
Medically speaking, this medication belongs to a group of drugs called ' calcium channel blockers' .
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before prescribing Amlodipine, your doctor will ask you a few questions. But sometimes we forget things. So, if any of the things below apply to you, be sure to tell your doctor.
| Situation you need to report | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| Heart disease | Because Amlodipine affects heart function, it is essential that your doctor is aware of any existing heart disease. |
| Liver disease | The liver helps in the process of removing drugs from our body. If there is any weakness in the liver, the dosage of the medicine may need to be changed. |
| Allergies to Amlodipine or other substances | If you have had any previous allergies to this medication, any other medication, food, or dye, be sure to tell us about it. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant | Any medication should only be taken during pregnancy on the advice of a doctor. Therefore, it is very important to be aware of this. |
| If you are a breastfeeding mother (Breastfeeding) | Some medications can pass to the baby through breast milk, so talk to your doctor about this as well. |
How exactly do you use this medicine?
Since this is a liquid, it is very important to measure it accurately.
- Take it on time: Get into the habit of taking your medicine at the same time every day.
- Correct measurement: Use only the special oral syringe, measuring spoon, or dropper that comes with the medicine. Never use teaspoons or dining spoons from your kitchen for this. Because they cannot measure accurately. If you do, you will get the wrong dose.
- Before or after food?: You can take this medicine with or without food. However, if you feel an upset stomach, it is better to take it with food.
- Do not stop: Continue using this medicine until your doctor tells you to. Do not stop suddenly.
If you give it to children...
Even for children over 6 years of age, doctors prescribe this medicine under certain circumstances. But they do so with great caution. Therefore, if you give this medicine to a child, you should give it exactly as the doctor says.
What if I overdose?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, don't panic. But don't delay. Go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of your nearest hospital immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . This medicine is for you only. Do not give it to anyone else.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
We don't always remember everything. So it's possible to miss a dose. If that happens, take it as soon as you remember. But if it's almost time for your next dose when you remember, don't think about the missed dose. Forget about it and just take the next dose at the scheduled time. Don't take a double dose for any reason.
Other things that may interact with this medicine
Some medications can cause problems when taken with Amlodipine. Some examples are:
- Clarithromycin
- Cyclosporine
- Diltiazem
- Itraconazole
- Simvastatin (a medicine for cholesterol)
- Tacrolimus
This list is not exhaustive. So tell your doctor about all the medications, vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements you take. Don't forget to tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol.
Things to keep in mind when taking medication
- Get regular checkups: See your doctor on a regular basis to check your condition. Measure your blood pressure at home if possible. Find out what your normal blood pressure should be and when you should call your doctor if it changes.
- Be careful with other medications: Ask your doctor before taking over-the-counter medications for coughs, colds, or body aches. Some medications can increase your blood pressure.
- Dizziness and driving:This medicine may make some people feel dizzy or drowsy. Therefore, avoid driving or operating dangerous machinery until you know exactly how this affects you. Stand up slowly when getting up from a sitting position or out of bed. Standing up suddenly can cause dizziness and fall. Taking this medicine with alcohol can increase these side effects.
Possible side effects
Like any medicine, Amlodipine can cause side effects. However, not everyone gets them. Some are serious, while others are mild.
| Classification of side effects | |
|---|---|
| Side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Symptoms of a heart attack | Tightness, heaviness, or pain in the chest, shoulders, arms, or jaw, nausea, difficulty breathing, feeling cold, sweating, or fainting. |
| Low blood pressure | Severe dizziness, fainting, blurred vision. |
| Things that are usually not serious, but should be mentioned to the doctor if they persist | |
| Redness of the face | Feeling like the face is turning red. |
| Palpitations | Feeling like your heart is beating fast, hard, or irregularly. |
| Nausea | Stomach upset, feeling like vomiting. |
| Stomach pain | Stomach discomfort or pain. |
| Swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet | Swelling of the lower parts of the body due to fluid accumulation. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you experience anything different or unusual, talk to your doctor about it.
How do you store and dispose of the medicine?
- Storage: Keep the medicine bottle out of the reach of children and pets . It is best to store it at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius). Keep the medicine in the original bottle it came in.
- Disposal: Ask your doctor about the safest way to dispose of expired or no longer needed medications. If you are throwing them in the trash, remove the medication from the bottle, mix it with something like used tea leaves, coffee grounds, or soil, and put it in a tightly sealed bag.
Take-Home Message
- Amlodipine is a medication that should only be used on the advice of a doctor.
- Always use the special measuring device that comes with the medicine to measure the liquid. Do not use household spoons.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, and traditional medicines you are taking.
- Do not stop taking the medication suddenly without your doctor's advice.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience a serious side effect such as severe dizziness, chest pain, or difficulty breathing.
- Keep the medicine bottle in a safe place out of the reach of children.
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