Drug Name Norvasc
Norvasc (Amlodipine)

Drug Uses Norvasc
Norvasc (Amlodipine) is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and to treat angina (chest pain).

Possible Side Effects Norvasc
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Norvasc and contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:* an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives* unusually fast or slow heartbeat;* chest pain;* severe dizziness or fainting;* psychosis;* jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or* swelling of the legs or ankles.Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Norvasc and talk to your doctor if you experience* fatigue or tiredness;* headache;* insomnia;* vivid or abnormal dreams;* flushing;* abdominal pain;* nausea, diarrhea, or constipation; or* increased or difficult urination.Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Drug Class and Mechanism Norvasc
Amlodipine belongs to a class of medications called calcium channel blockers. These medications block the transport of calcium into the smooth muscle cells lining the coronary arteries and other arteries of the body. Since calcium is important in muscle contraction, blocking calcium transport relaxes artery muscles and dilates coronary arteries and other arteries of the body. By relaxing coronary arteries, amlodipine is useful in preventing chest pain (angina) resulting from coronary artery spasm. Relaxing the muscles lining the arteries of the rest of the body lowers the blood pressure, which reduces the burden on the heart as it pumps blood to the body. Reducing heart burden lessens the heart muscle's demand for oxygen, and further helps to prevent angina in patients with coronary artery disease.

More InformationNorvasc here
* If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking amlodipine and contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:* an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);* unusually fast or slow heartbeat;* chest pain;* severe dizziness or fainting;* psychosis;* jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or* swelling of the legs or ankles.* Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take amlodipine and talk to your doctor if you experience* fatigue or tiredness;* headache;* insomnia;* vivid or abnormal dreams;* flushing;* abdominal pain;* nausea, diarrhea, or constipation; or* increased or difficult urination.* Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.