Amlodipine

GENERIC NAME: amlodipine DOSAGE/FREQUENCY/ROUTE: SIDE EFFECTS/ADVERSE REACTION NURSING RESPONSIBILITY

Hypertension
Adult: PO 5–10 mg once daily
Geriatric: Start with 2.5 mg, adjust dose at intervals of not less CV: Palpitations, flushing  Monitor BP for therapeutic
than 2 wk tachycardia, peripheral or facial effectiveness. BP reduction is
Hepatic Impairment edema, bradycardia, chest pain, greatest after peak levels of
Start with 2.5 mg, adjust dose at intervals of not less than 2 syncope, postural hypotension.
amlodipine are achieved 6–9 h
wk  CNS: Light-headedness,
fatigue, headache.  following oral doses.
GI: Abdominal pain, nausea,  Monitor for S&S of dose-related
anorexia, constipation, dyspepsia, peripheral or facial edema that may
dysphagia, diarrhea, flatulence, not be accompanied by weight gain;
vomiting.  rarely, severe edema may cause
BRAND NAME: INDICATION: Urogenital: Sexual dysfunction,
Norvasc Amlodipine is used with or without other medications to discontinuation of drug.
frequency, nocturia. 
treat high blood pressure. Lowering high blood pressure helps Respiratory: Dyspnea.   Monitor BP with postural changes.
prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. It works Skin: Flushing, rash.  Report postural hypotension.
DRUG ILLUSTRATION: by relaxing blood vessels so blood can flow more Other: Arthralgia, cramps, myalgia. Monitor more frequently when
easily.Amlodipine is also used to prevent certain types additional antihypertensives or
of chest pain (angina). It may help to increase your ability
diuretics are added.
to exercise and decrease the frequency of angina attacks. It
should not be used to treat attacks of chest pain when they  Monitor heart rate; dose-related
occur. Use other medications (such as sublingual nitroglycerin) palpitations (more common in
to relieve attacks of chest pain as directed by your doctor. women) may occur

CLASSIFICATION: CONTRAINDICATION:
CARDIOVASCULAR AGENT; CALCIUM Hypersensitivity to amlodipine; pregnancy
CHANNEL
BLOCKER; ANTIHYPERTENSIVE AGENT
 MECHANISM OF ACTION:
Amlodipine is a calcium channel
blocking agent that selectively blocks
calcium ion reflux across cell
membranes of cardiac and vascular
smooth muscle without changing
serum calcium concentrations. It
predominantly acts on the peripheral
circulation, decreasing peripheral
vascular resistance, and increases
cardiac output

Reference:

Availability. (n.d.). Retrieved October 22, 2020, from http://www.robholland.com/Nursing/Drug_Guide/data/monographframes/A049.html

Amlodipine Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing. (n.d.). Retrieved October 22, 2020, from https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-5891/amlodipine-oral/details