Amlodipine: Some information to discuss with your doctor
Amlodipine is a medication that falls under a category of drugs typically used in the management of hypertension and certain types of angina.
For personalised advice, consulting your doctor is crucial. They can offer insights tailored to your specific health needs and conditions.to help you better understand your options during consultations with your doctor, we’ll guide you through some basic information about this prescription drug.
In this article

1. How does amlodipine work?
Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker intended to ease the flow of calcium into the heart and blood vessel cells.[1] This action relaxes the vessels, which then enhances blood and oxygen supply to the heart, lowering blood pressure and offering relief from certain types of angina.[2] The drug is typically prescribed as a hypertension treatment.
2. How do you take amlodipine?
Like irbesartan and atenolol, amlodipine is typically administered orally, either in tablet form or as a liquid. Typical dosages are 5 mg and 10 mg per doctor’s advice and can be taken with or without food.[3]
If you’ve been prescribed the liquid form, measure it accurately with a measuring tool, and avoid mixing it with grapefruit juice. Amlodipine tablets can be taken with water for easier administration. It is also typically recommended to take your dose at the same time each day to maintain an even level of medication in your body.
If you have any questions regarding your amlodipine dosage or wish to adjust your treatment plan, consult your doctor immediately, especially if you are experiencing side effects or unexpected interactions with your other medications.
3. Who can take amlodipine?
Amlodipine can help reduce the risks of stroke, heart attack, and kidney problems for people with high blood pressure. Adults and children aged six and older may take the medication under the supervision or advice of their doctor.[4]
Liver and kidney disease may affect how the drug is processed in the body,[5] so individuals with these conditions must exercise caution when taking the drug. Those with a history of heart failure or a recent heart attack should consult with their doctor first to ensure the drug does not produce adverse reactions.[6] [7]
Always inform your doctor if you have had any allergic reactions to the drug or any medications in the past, as certain drug combinations or health conditions could lead to potentially harmful side effects.
4. Side effects of amlodipine
It’s important to be aware of potential side effects when taking amlodipine.
Similarly to drugs like Nifedipine[8] and Atacand,[9] a common side effect of taking amlodipine is headaches and nausea. Other common side effects are mild swelling in the legs (particularly around the ankles), stomach upsets, or dizziness.[10]
Less common side effects include chest tightness or a rapid heartbeat. Serious side effects, while rare, include severe stomach pain or allergic reactions. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms.
Likewise, seek medical assistance right away if you experience chest pain that does not subside after a few minutes, or if your angina has worsened despite taking your medication.[11] Chest pain could be a sign of a heart attack, so it’s important to get checked out as soon as possible.
Amlodipine may cause a serious allergic reaction. Seek medical help immediately if you experience any of the following after taking your medication:
- Your lips, mouth, throat, or tongue suddenly swell up.
- You find it hard to breathe or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air.
- Your throat feels tight, or you have difficulty swallowing.
- You suddenly feel very confused, sleepy, or dizzy.
- You find a rash that’s swollen, bumpy, itchy, has blisters, or is peeling off.
- Depending on your skin colour, you may notice a bluish, greyish, or pale colour. If you have a darker skin tone, you can check your palms or the bottoms of your feet.
For children prescribed amlodipine, they may appear weak, flopping or drooping, or having difficulty focusing.[12]
Keeping constant communication with your doctor or pharmacist can minimise the risk of side effects.
5. Amlodipine and other medications
Mixing amlodipine with other medicines that lower blood pressure could make your blood pressure or heart rate too low.[13] Make sure your doctor is aware of everything you’re taking, including natural remedies and vitamins.
By working together with your doctor and following their advice, you can stay on track with your amlodipine prescription safely and responsibly.
6. Medicines you should not use with amlodipine
Amlodipine, like Noten, can interact with several other medications, certain illnesses, and specific foods or drinks.
These interactions could involve common medicines like certain antibiotics like clarithromycin and erythromycin, other calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem, and antifungal medications like itraconazole. Medications for high blood pressure, HIV, HCV, and cholesterol should likewise be cleared with your doctor first before taking the drug.[14]
These drug interactions range from mild to severe, and you must contact your doctor immediately at the first sign of these interactions.
7. How to order amlodipine through Chemist2U
Simplifying your medication management is our priority at Chemist2U, whether you’re taking medicines like amlodipine, metoprolol tartrate, perindopril arginine, or other blood-pressure-lowering drugs.
To refill your medication through Chemist2U, download our app or use this website and upload your eScript for review by a partner chemist from your community. You can explore and add any over-the-counter medication and general pharmacy products to your order in the meantime.
After your eScript has been reviewed and everything is in order, your medication and other orders will be prepared for pickup and delivery to your address. For those in metro and major regional areas across Australia, we offer same-day delivery straight to your doorstep if we receive it before our daily cutoff time (typically 2.00 p.m. but may vary in some locations).
Note: A minority of products (inc. Ozempic and Mounjaro) are delivered via AusPost. Allow 5 to 7 business days.
With Chemist2U, we’re on a mission to make medication easy. Have your amlodipine medication home-delivered by Chemist2U today.
References
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519508/#article-17466.s3
[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15662901/
[3] https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/amlodipine/how-and-when-to-take-amlodipine/
[4] https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/amlodipine/who-can-and-cannot-take-amlodipine/
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7315662/
[6] https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/amlodipine/who-can-and-cannot-take-amlodipine/
[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519508/
[8] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1534716/
[9] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17532701/
[10] https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/amlodipine/side-effects-of-amlodipine/
[11] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/amlodipine-oral-tablet
[12] https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/amlodipine/side-effects-of-amlodipine/
[13] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519508/#article-17466.s3
[14] https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/amlodipine/taking-amlodipine-with-other-medicines-and-herbal-supplements/