From the Research
Amlodipine 5 mg taken as a single dose begins to lower blood pressure within 30-60 minutes, but its maximum effect occurs after 6-12 hours, as supported by the most recent study 1. The full antihypertensive effect may not be seen until after 1-2 weeks of consistent daily dosing. Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker that works by relaxing blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily and reducing the workload on the heart.
Key Points
- It has a long half-life of 30-50 hours, which means it provides a gradual, sustained blood pressure reduction rather than a rapid drop, as noted in 1.
- This slow onset helps prevent sudden hypotension that could cause dizziness or falls.
- For acute hypertensive situations requiring immediate blood pressure reduction, other medications like intravenous labetalol or hydralazine would be more appropriate.
- Patients should be advised that while they may experience some effect from a single dose, amlodipine is primarily intended for ongoing management of hypertension with regular daily dosing.
Mechanism of Action
Amlodipine's mechanism of action involves the relaxation of blood vessels, which allows blood to flow more easily and reduces the workload on the heart, as described in 2 and further supported by 3 and 1.
Clinical Considerations
- Amlodipine is effective in reducing systolic blood pressure, particularly in elderly patients and those with isolated systolic hypertension, as shown in 4.
- The dose of 5 mg is commonly used and has been found to be effective in various patient populations, as noted in 1 and 4.
- Amlodipine is generally well-tolerated, with common side effects including edema, palpitations, dizziness, and flushing, as mentioned in 1.