Norvasc (Amlodipine)

BEFORE you use NORVASC talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you:

• Ever had heart or blood vessel diseases.
• Have aortic stenosis (narrowing of a valve of your heart).
• Have liver or kidney problems.
• Are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant.
• NORVASC should not be used during pregnancy unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
• Are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while taking NORVASC.
• Are older than 65 years.

NORVASC may occasionally cause low blood pressure (hypotension). Your blood pressure should be carefully monitored, especially if you have had a stroke or take other drugs to lower your blood pressure.

If you take NORVASC together with a drug known as beta-blockers (e.g. acebutolol, atenolol, metoprolol, nadolol), do not suddenly stop using the beta-blocker. If your doctor advises you to discontinue use of the beta-blocker, your dose should be decreased slowly, as recommended by your doctor, before stopping it completely.

NORVASC is not recommended for use in children less than 6 years of age.

Side effects include:

• Headaches
• Tiredness, extreme sleepiness
• Stomach pain, nausea
• Dizziness

As with most medicines, interactions with other drugs are possible. Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist about all the medicines you take, including drugs prescribed by other doctors, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements, or alternative medicines. Also mention if you drink alcoholic beverages.

Drug-Drug interaction:

Drugs that may interact with NORVASC include:

• Cyclosporin
• Clarithromycin, Erythromycin (antibiotics)
• Diltiazem
• Azole antifungals (e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole)
• HIV protease inhibitors (e.g. ritonavir)
• Beta-blockers
• Sildenafil (VIAGRA)
• Statin drugs used to treat high cholesterol (e.g. simvastatin, atorvastatin)
• Tacrolimus (an anti-rejection drug)

Drug-Herb interaction:

• St-Johns Wort

Drug-Food interaction:

Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while on NORVASC.

Take NORVASC exactly as prescribed by your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. It may be easier to take your dose if you do it at the same time every day, such as with breakfast or dinner, or at bedtime. Do not stop taking your medication without having first informed your doctor.

Usual dose:

For both high blood pressure and chest pain, the recommended initial dose of NORVASC is 5 mg once daily. If necessary, your doctor may increase your dose to a maximum dose of 10 mg once daily.

Use in Patients with liver disease:

The starting dose is 2.5 mg once daily and can be gradually increased by your doctor.

Use in Children (6-17 years old):

The recommended dose is 2.5 mg to 5 mg once daily.

Overdose:

If you think you have taken too much NORVASC contact your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, hospital emergency department or regional Poison Control Centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.

One or more of the following signs may occur in an overdose: Low blood pressure and rapid heartbeat.

Missed dose:

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it has been more than 12 hours since you missed your last dose, skip the missed dose and continue with the next dose at your regular time. Do not take double doses.