Overview Of Amlodipine

Amlodipine is a prescription medication that belongs to a class of medicines called calcium channel blockers. This medication is approved for patients who are six years old and older. It can be taken as an oral tablet. Amlodipine is also available as an oral suspension (liquid). Tablets come in doses between 2.5 to ten milligrams, and the oral suspension contains one milligram of medication per milliliter. Most individuals who use amlodipine need to take it daily. Life-long use is typically necessary when this medicine is used to treat high blood pressure. Doctors generally recommend using this drug in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and a physical activity program.

Many individuals need amlodipine as high blood pressure pills. Some patients need this medication instead of natural medicine for high blood pressure. Of course, this drug is also a coronary artery disease treatment. It can help as a treatment for other heart diseases as well. However, patients must understand how amlodipine works first.

How It Works

Amlodipine, similar to other calcium channel blockers, reduces the rate at which calcium enters the heart and blood vessel walls. When calcium enters these areas at a slower rate, the blood vessels relax and widen, and blood circulation is improved. The heart can pump more efficiently, and blood pressure is reduced. Amlodipine is a specific type of calcium channel blocker. It is known as a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker.

While non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers may slow down a patient's heart rate, dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers are not associated with this change. This includes amlodipine. This feature may make amlodipine a more appropriate choice for patients with certain cardiovascular conditions that cause heart rate changes.

Uncover the uses for this medication next.