Amlodipine
Amlodipine besylate · Say it: am-LOE-di-peen BES-i-late
Amlodipine is a prescription calcium channel blocker used to treat high blood pressure and certain kinds of chest pain caused by poor blood flow to the heart.
Used for
High blood pressure (hypertension). The label says lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack.
Comes as
2.5 mg tablets: pink, mottled, round, flat-faced, with beveled edges, marked "1" on one side and "U" on the other; 5 mg tablets: white to off-white, capsule-shaped, marked "2" on one side and "U" on the other
Common side effects
Swelling of the legs or ankles. The label says this is the most common side effect and it is more frequent at higher doses., Tiredness or extreme sleepiness, Stomach pain or nausea
| Generic name | Amlodipine besylate |
|---|---|
| Brand names | — |
| Type of medicine | a calcium channel blocker, a type of medicine that relaxes blood vessels |
| How it is sold | Prescription tablet taken by mouth |
| Comes as | 2.5 mg tablets: pink, mottled, round, flat-faced, with beveled edges, marked "1" on one side and "U" on the other; 5 mg tablets: white to off-white, capsule-shaped, marked "2" on one side and "U" on the other; 10 mg tablets: white to off-white, round, flat-faced, with beveled edges, marked "L" on one side and "32" on the other |
| Route | oral |
| Boxed warning | No |
| Label date | 2026-04-20 |
💊 What is Amlodipine used for?
- High blood pressure (hypertension). The label says lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack.
- Chronic stable angina, a chest pain or pressing feeling that keeps coming back when part of the heart does not get enough blood.
- Vasospastic angina (also called Prinzmetal's or variant angina).
- Coronary artery disease in patients without heart failure or an ejection fraction below 40%.
How it works
The label says amlodipine relaxes blood vessels. This lets blood flow more easily and helps lower blood pressure.
How it is usually taken
- The label says to take amlodipine once a day, with or without food. Taking it at the same time every day, such as with breakfast, dinner, or at bedtime, may make it easier to remember. The label says to follow the dose and directions from your prescriber or pharmacist.
Comes as
- 2.5 mg tablets: pink, mottled, round, flat-faced, with beveled edges, marked "1" on one side and "U" on the other
- 5 mg tablets: white to off-white, capsule-shaped, marked "2" on one side and "U" on the other
- 10 mg tablets: white to off-white, round, flat-faced, with beveled edges, marked "L" on one side and "32" on the other
⚠️ Amlodipine side effects
Common side effects
- Swelling of the legs or ankles. The label says this is the most common side effect and it is more frequent at higher doses.
- Tiredness or extreme sleepiness
- Stomach pain or nausea
- Dizziness
- Flushing (a hot or warm feeling in the face)
- Heart palpitations (a very fast heartbeat)
- Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
- Muscle stiffness, tremor, or abnormal muscle movement
Get medical help right away if
- Get medical help right away if you have a heart attack or your angina gets worse. The label says this is rare but can happen when you first start taking amlodipine or when the dose is increased. Call your doctor right away or go directly to a hospital emergency room.
- The label says low blood pressure with symptoms (symptomatic hypotension) is possible, particularly in people with severe aortic stenosis. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about any symptoms you notice.
🛑 Who should not take Amlodipine, and who should be careful
The label says not to take it if
- You are allergic to amlodipine (the active ingredient).
- You are allergic to any of the inactive ingredients. Your doctor or pharmacist can give you the full list.
Tell your doctor before taking it if
- Tell your doctor about all prescription and non-prescription medicines you take, including natural or herbal remedies.
- Tell your doctor if you have ever had heart disease or liver problems.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or if you are breastfeeding.
- The label says not to start any new prescription or non-prescription medicines or supplements without checking with your doctor first.
- The label says not to stop your other prescription medicines, including other blood pressure medicines, without talking to your doctor.
🔀 Amlodipine with other medicines, food and alcohol
The label says to discuss these with your doctor or pharmacist
- CYP3A inhibitors (moderate and strong): The label says these can increase the amount of amlodipine in the body and may require a dose change. Your doctor will watch for low blood pressure and swelling.
- CYP3A inducers: The label says blood pressure should be closely monitored when these are taken with amlodipine.
- Sildenafil: The label says to monitor for low blood pressure when it is taken with amlodipine.
- Simvastatin: Amlodipine increases the amount of simvastatin in the body. The label sets a limit on how much simvastatin can be taken with amlodipine, so ask your prescriber about that limit.
- Cyclosporine or tacrolimus (immunosuppressants): Amlodipine may increase their levels. The label recommends frequent blood level checks and possible dose adjustments.
- Nitroglycerin: The label says it can be used together with amlodipine. If you take nitroglycerin for angina, do not stop it while taking amlodipine unless your doctor tells you to.
Alcohol and food
The label says amlodipine can be taken with or without food. The label does not give information about alcohol.
🤰 Amlodipine in pregnancy and breastfeeding
Pregnancy
The label says the available data in pregnant women are limited and not enough to show a drug-related risk of major birth defects or miscarriage. It also says high blood pressure during pregnancy carries risks for both the mother and the baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, since your doctor will decide whether amlodipine is the best treatment for you.
Breastfeeding
The label says amlodipine passes into breast milk. Talk with your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
🗓️ Storage, missed doses and taking too much
Storage
Keep away from children. Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F). Keep out of the light and in a dry place. The label says not to store it in the bathroom.
If a dose is missed
The label says to take a missed dose as soon as you remember. Do not take it if it has been more than 12 hours since your missed dose. In that case, wait and take the next dose at your regular time. The label also says not to take more than one dose at a time.
If too much is taken
The label says that too much amlodipine may cause widened blood vessels with marked low blood pressure and possibly a fast heartbeat. If you took too much, call your doctor or Poison Control Center, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.
🗒️ Questions to ask about Amlodipine
🎯 Check what you understood
1. What type of medicine is amlodipine?
2. According to the label, when should you skip a missed dose?
3. What does the label say to do if you think you took too much amlodipine?
❓ Amlodipine: frequently asked questions
What is amlodipine used for?
The label says amlodipine is used to treat high blood pressure and a type of chest pain called angina. It can be used alone or with other medicines.
Can I take amlodipine with or without food?
The label says amlodipine can be taken with or without food. It is taken once a day.
What is the most common side effect of amlodipine?
The label says the most common side effect is swelling of the legs or ankles. Other common side effects include tiredness, dizziness, stomach pain, nausea, and flushing.
Does amlodipine pass into breast milk?
Yes. The label says amlodipine passes into breast milk, so people who are breastfeeding should talk with their doctor.
Who should not use amlodipine?
The label says not to use amlodipine if you are allergic to amlodipine or to any of its inactive ingredients. Your doctor or pharmacist can give you the full list of ingredients.
🧪 Tests and reports linked to Amlodipine
The label text mentions these. If you have one of these reports, get every line of it explained.
- HbA1c and glucose
a test or report linked to this medicine
- Metabolic panel (BMP, CMP)
a test or report linked to this medicine
- Lipid panel (cholesterol)
a test or report linked to this medicine
- Liver function tests
a test or report linked to this medicine
- Kidney function tests
a test or report linked to this medicine
- Culture and sensitivity
a test or report linked to this medicine
📖 Medical words used on this page
- Acute vs chronic
Acute means something started recently or suddenly. Chronic means it has lasted a long time or keeps coming back.
- Angina
Angina is chest pain or tightness caused by the heart muscle not getting enough blood and oxygen, usually from narrowed heart arteries.
- Antibiotic
An antibiotic is a medicine that kills bacteria or stops them growing; it treats bacterial infections, not viral ones like colds or flu.
- Aortic Stenosis
Aortic stenosis means the aortic valve of the heart is narrowed, so the heart must work harder to push blood out to the body.
- Arrhythmia
An arrhythmia is a heartbeat that is too fast, too slow or irregular, because the heart's electrical signals are not working in their usual pattern.
- Bilateral and unilateral
Bilateral means on both sides of the body and unilateral means on one side only, and reports usually also name the side.
- Bronchodilator
A bronchodilator is a medicine that relaxes the muscles around the airways so they open wider and breathing becomes easier.
- Calcium Channel Blocker
A calcium channel blocker is a type of medicine, such as amlodipine, that relaxes blood vessels and is used for high blood pressure and angina.
- Congenital malformations
Congenital malformations are differences in the structure of the body that are present at birth, such as heart, spine or lip and palate defects.
- CYP3A
CYP3A is a family of enzymes, mainly in the liver and gut, that break down a large share of commonly used medicines.
- Edema
Edema is swelling caused by extra fluid trapped in the body's tissues, often in the feet, ankles and legs.
- Ejection fraction
Ejection fraction is the percentage of blood the heart's main pumping chamber pushes out with each beat. It is one measure of heart pumping.
- Heart failure
Heart failure means the heart is not pumping or filling as well as it should, so it struggles to meet the body's needs. It does not mean the heart has stopped.
- Hepatic Enzymes
Hepatic enzymes are liver enzymes measured in a blood test; raised levels can signal that liver cells are irritated or stressed.
📖 Medical words on this page
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Have the leaflet or prescription in front of you?
Explain my leafletDecode my prescription🔗 Trusted sources about Amlodipine
- Full official label on DailyMed ↗
US National Library of Medicine: the complete FDA label this page is based on
- Amlodipine on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine's patient drug information
- Amlodipine on the NHS website ↗
UK National Health Service medicine guide
Report a side effect or check safety alerts
- Report a side effect in the US (FDA MedWatch) ↗
- Report a side effect in the UK (Yellow Card) ↗
- FDA recalls and safety alerts ↗
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Source: official FDA drug label (label updated 2026-04-20). Read the full label on DailyMed
MedicDecode explains the official label in plain words. It is not medical advice and does not replace your doctor or pharmacist. Never start, stop or change a medicine because of what you read here.