Medicine Review: Norvasc Oral

Norvasc (Amlodipine) is a drug that is used to treat high blood pressure, angina and coronary artery disease. Norvasc helps to reduce the incidence of strokes, kidney problems and heart attacks by keeping the blood pressure within normal limits. Norvasc is a calcium channel blocker and works by relaxing the walls of the veins and arteries making them more elastic and thereby reduces the workload on the heart to force blood through constricted vessels.

Norvasc is taken by mouth every day. It can be taken with food or without. Always take Norvasc every day without skipping to receive the full benefit of this medication. One of my clients periodically skipped doses thinking that he didn't need them every day, but this is actually quite dangerous to do, because to effectively treat blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems the medicine must be taken every day to keep an adequate level of the medication in the body.

Some people taking Norvasc may experience side effects such as headache, dizziness, swelling of the feet and ankles, nausea, stomach pain, constipation, and sleep disturbances that usually fade as the body adjusts to the medication. I took Norvasc for years until I changed doctors last year. I never had any side effects at all from this medication.

Serious rare side effects such as very slow heartbeat, shortness of breath, and fainting could occur. If you should have side effects such as these, see your doctor immediately. If you have had an allergic reaction to other calcium channel blockers, such as nifedipine, or diltiazem (generic blood pressure medicines), be sure to tell your doctor before taking Norvasc.

Norvasc can make you dizzy or cause drowsiness. Be careful when driving or if you work with or around machinery. To decrease these side effects get up slowly from a sitting position or when you are lying down. Get up to a sitting position and sit there for a few minutes before standing up. This will reduce dizziness and prevent falls.