1. Amlodipine is used to treat high blood pressure and chest pain (angina).
2. The tablets are taken once each day with a glass of water. Try to take them at the same time each day.
3. Do not stop taking the tablets without speaking to your doctor first. Your condition could get worse if you stopped suddenly.
4. Like most medicines, amlodipine can have some unwanted effects. These include flushing, headache and dizziness. Ankle swelling may occur, particularly if you sit down for a long time. If you do sit for much of the day, it is a good idea to rest your feet on a stool. If you keep taking the tablets these effects may go away within a week or so, but if any side effects are persistent or troublesome tell your doctor.
This series of "advice tips" on commonly used drugs is written by pharmacists from the Sussex Pharmacy Academic Practice Unit. It is intended as a reminder of points to be made by pharmacists as they hand out dispensed medicines. The list is not intended to be comprehensive but to cover some important points. Cards for sale: Sets of the first 25 "tips" are now available for sale as 12 x 15cm cards, supplied with a ring binder, at a cost of £9.95. Orders should be sent to Pharmacy Practice Consultants, 12 Firle Road, Lancing, West Sussex BN15 0NZ, with cheques payable to Pharmacy Practice Consultants.
By Carina and Duncan Livingstone