Amlodipine is in the top 5 of the most commonly prescribed medications in the U.S. Here are some things you may not have known about Amlodipine:
Generic Name: Amlodipine
Brand Name(s): Norvasc, Kateria
Pronunciation: am LOE di peen
About this drug:
Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker used to treat high blood pressure and chest pain.
Dentistry-related tidbits:
Amlodipine may cause xerostomia.
Amlodipine may cause severe lightheadedness, headache, drowsiness, and dizziness, especially in elderly patients.
Common narcotics, benzodiazepines, and antifungals can cause severe hypotension when combined with Amlodipine. Erythromycin in combination with Amlodipine may increase the Erythromycin level and risk of QT prolongation and cardiac arrhythmias. Make sure to check for potential interactions before prescribing using a tool like Rx Check.
Do not use Septocaine, Orabloc, Articadent, or Ultacan Forte local anesthetics to avoid an increased risk of hypotension.
Articaine, Bupivacaine, Mepivacaine, and Ropivacaine local anesthetics can also cause hypotension.
Epinephrine in local anesthetics can decrease Amlodipine’s antihypertensive efficacy.
Fun facts:
Amlodipine can increase the risk of hyperglycemia, which is important for diabetic patients to monitor.
Amlodipine is the 5th most commonly prescribed drug in the U.S., with nearly 70 million prescriptions written in 2020.
Amlodipine works by affecting the movement of calcium into the cells of the heart and blood vessels. This relaxes the blood vessels and lowers blood pressure, and increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart while reducing its workload.
It was rumored that Amlodipine was banned in Canada at one point - this is not true!
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