From the Guidelines
Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker medication, specifically belonging to the dihydropyridine class of calcium channel blockers. It works by relaxing blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily. Amlodipine is primarily used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and certain types of chest pain (angina) 1.
Key Characteristics of Amlodipine
- The typical starting dose is 5 mg once daily, which may be increased to a maximum of 10 mg daily if needed.
- The medication works by blocking calcium from entering the smooth muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels, which reduces peripheral resistance and lowers blood pressure.
- Patients should take amlodipine at the same time each day, with or without food, and should continue taking it even if feeling well, as hypertension often has no symptoms.
- Common side effects may include swelling in the ankles or feet, dizziness, flushing, and headache, related to the vasodilatory properties of the medication.
Clinical Use and Recommendations
Amlodipine can be used to control ongoing or recurring ischemia-related symptoms in patients who are already receiving adequate doses of nitrates and beta blockers, or in patients who are unable to tolerate adequate doses of these agents 1. It is also used for the management of hypertension in patients with recurrent unstable angina. However, rapid-release, short-acting dihydropyridines like nifedipine should be avoided without concomitant beta blockade due to increased adverse potential.
Comparison with Other Calcium Channel Blockers
Different calcium channel blockers vary in their effects on vasodilation, myocardial contractility, AV block, and sinus node slowing. Amlodipine and felodipine are reasonably well tolerated by patients with mild left ventricular dysfunction, although their use in unstable angina/non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (UA/NSTEMI) has not been extensively studied 1.
Conclusion is not allowed, so the answer will be ended here.
From the FDA Drug Label
Amlodipine besylate is a type of medicine known as a calcium channel blocker (CCB). The medication class for amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker (CCB) 2.
- Key points:
- Amlodipine besylate is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and angina.
- It works by relaxing blood vessels, which helps lower blood pressure and relieve chest pain.
From the Research
Medication Class for Amlodipine
- Amlodipine belongs to the dihydropyridine class of calcium channel blockers 3, 4, 5.
- Calcium channel blockers are a heterogeneous group of medications used to treat hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases 3.
- Amlodipine is a long-acting dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, which has been widely used for over two decades 3, 6.
- The dihydropyridine class of calcium channel blockers has been shown to be effective in lowering blood pressure and relieving symptoms of angina pectoris 4, 5.
Key Characteristics of Amlodipine
- Amlodipine is a potent peripheral and coronary vasodilator with high selectivity for vascular smooth muscle and minimal effect on myocardial contractility or cardiac conduction 5.
- Amlodipine has a long duration of action, with a half-life of 36-45 hours, allowing for once-daily administration 5.
- Amlodipine is effective and well-tolerated when given alone or in combination with other drugs for the treatment of hypertension and angina 4, 5.
Comparison with Other Medications
- Amlodipine has been compared to other calcium channel blockers, such as nifedipine, and has been shown to have similar efficacy and safety profiles 4, 7.
- Amlodipine has also been compared to other antihypertensive agents, such as beta-blockers, diuretics, and ACE inhibitors, and has been shown to be effective in lowering blood pressure and reducing cardiovascular risk 3, 6.