Heart Health High Blood Pressure Treatment What to Know About Norvasc (Amlodipine) A medication for treating high blood pressure and stable angina By Rachael Zimlich, BSN, RN Rachael is a freelance healthcare writer and critical care nurse based near Cleveland, Ohio. Learn about our editorial process Rachael Zimlich, BSN, RN Updated on October 01, 2020 Print Table of Contents View All Uses Before Taking Dosage Modifications Side Effects Warnings and Interactions Norvasc (amlodipine) is a prescription medication used most often to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). It is prescribed either as a standalone medication or in combination with other therapies. It also can be used to treat stable angina (chest pain). Norvasc belongs to a class of medications called calcium channel blockers that work by affecting the amount of calcium that enters the cell. Calcium causes more forceful contraction of the heart and arteries: Blocking the entry of calcium into these cells can help them to relax, thereby lowering blood pressure. Besides being sold as Norvasc, in the United States amlodipine is sold under the brand name Katerzia as well as generically. It is available in pill or liquid forms. Uses There are three Food and Drug Administration uses for Norvasc. It may be used to treat: Hypertension in people 6 and olderChronic stable angina (chest pain)Vasospastic angina (chest pain) Off-Label Uses Although not approved by the FDA for this use, Norvasc is sometimes prescribed to treat Raynaud's phenomenon. Before Taking Before your doctor prescribes Norvasc for you, you will have been diagnosed with hypertension severe enough to require medication. They will go over your medical history, current health problems, allergies, and other medications or supplements you may be taking. They also will assess your cardiac health with a physical exam, by taking your vital signs, and possibly an electrocardiogram or echocardiogram. [Standard disclaimer: Talk to your doctor about all medications, supplements, and vitamins that you currently take. While some drugs pose minor interaction risks, others may outright contraindicate use or prompt careful consideration as to whether the pros of treatment outweigh the cons in your case.] Precautions and Contraindications Before taking this or any medication, review the precautions and contraindications with your doctor to be sure you don’t have any conditions that might prevent this medication from being right for you. Norvasc should not be taken by anyone who has a hypersensitivity to it or any component of it. Make sure you doctor is aware if you have or have had: Chest painA Heart attackLow blood pressure (hypotension)Swelling in your hands or feet (peripheral edema)Aortic stenosisHeart failureHypertrophic cardiomyopathyThere are some people who can take Norvasc but in individualized dosages, specifically children, seniors, and individuals who have liver disease. Norvasc crosses the placenta and is present in breastmilk, but women who are pregnant or breastfeeding can safely take it.Norvasc is a category C medication for pregnant women, meaning there is some evidence it could have an adverse effect on a developing baby, but the benefits of the medication to the mother may outweigh the risks.Tell your doctor if you're pregnant or nursing before you begin taking Norvasc (or any new medication). Other Calcium Channel Blockers If it turns out Norvasc (or another form of amlodipine) doesn't work for you, there are other medications in the same class for treating high blood pressure: Diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac, others)FelodipineIsradipineNicardipineNifedipine (Adalat CC, Procardia)Nisoldipine (Sular)Verapamil (Calan, Verelan ) Dosage How your doctor prescribes Norvasc will depend on what you're being treated for. The standard dosages based specific conditions for adults are: Hypertension: Initially 2.5 milligrams (mg) to 5 mg once daily, increased every one to two weeks until desired responseChronic stable angina or vasospastic angina: 5 mg to 10 mg once dailyReynaud’s phenomenon: 5 mg once daily, increased once every four weeks as needed [All listed dosages are according to the drug manufacturer. Check your prescription and talk to your doctor to make sure you are taking the right dose for you.] Modifications For seniors and children, standard dosages also vary: Seniors with hypertension: 2.5 mg initially, once per daySeniors with angina: 5 mg initially, once per dayChildren under 6 with hypertension: 0.1 mg/kg/dose once daily, increased slowly with a daily maximum dose of 0.6 mg/kg/doseChildren over 6 with hypertension: 2.5 mg per day initially, increased slowly with a daily maximum of 10 mgChildren over age 6 with Reynaud’s Phenomenon: 2.5 mg to 10 mg per day Adult with liver disease also require special dosing—typically 2.5 mg initially for hypertension and 5 mg per day for angina How to Take and Store In order to be as safe and effective as possible, it's important to carefully follow your doctor's instructions for taking Norvasc and to keep other considerations in mind as well: This medication can be taken with or without food.Take Norvasc at the same time every day.If you miss a dose, take Norvasc as soon as you realize it, unless it's nearly time for the next dose, in which case skip the missed dose: Do not take a double dose.Store Norvasc in its original container, away from moisture, heat, or direct light, and out of sight and reach of children.Do not stop taking this medication suddenly. Speak with your doctor if you feel you need to quit taking Norvasc for any reason first. Side Effects As with all medications, Norvasc is associated with certain side effects. Common Tell your doctor if while taking Norvasc you experience: HeadacheDizzinessSweatingTender or bleeding gumsIndigestion or upset stomachStomach cramps Severe In the event you develop any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately. Swelling in the ankles or feetChest pain or tightnessBlack, tarry stoolsBlood in urineBlurred visionConfusionEnlarged neck veinsRacing heartHives or rashYellow (jaundiced) eyes or skin Warnings and Interactions Norvasc is known to interact with both Crixivan (indinavir ) and Your doctor may adjust the dosage or frequency of Indinavir and Priftin (rifapentine). If you take either of these, your doctor will adjust your dosage for safety and effectiveness. You should not take Norvasc if you take any of these medications: AbametapilBromperidolConivaptanSystemic fusidic acid There are many medications that may interact with Norvasc but that do not necessarily preclude taking it. Your doctor may monitor your closely and/or adjust your dose if you also take: AlfuzosinAlpha-1 blockersAmifostineAmphetaminesAntifungal agentsAntihepaciviral combination productsAntipsychotic agentsAprepitantAtosibanBarbituatesBenperidolBrigatinibBrimotidineCalcium channel blockersCalcium saltsCarbamazepineClofazimineClopidopgrelCyclosporineCYP3A4 inducersCYP3A4 inhibitorsDabrafenibDapoxetineDeferasiroxDexamethylphenidateDiazoxideDofetildeDuloxetineDuvelisibEfavirenzEnzalutamideErdafitnibFlibanserinFluconazoleFosaprepitantFosnetupitantFosphenytoinIdelaisibIvosidenibLarotrectinibLembroexantLevadopa-containing medicationsLomitapideLormetazepamLovastatinMacrolide antibioticsMagnesium saltsMelatoninMethylphenidateMifepristoneMitotaneMolsidomineNaftopidilNetupitantNeuromuscular-blocking agentsNicegolineNicorandilNimopidineNitroprussideObinutuzumabPalbociclibPentoxifyllinePhenytoinPholcodinePhosphodiesterasePimozideProstacyclin analoguesQuinagolideQuinidineRifamycinSarilumabSimaprevirSimvastatinSincalideStiripentolTacrolimusTocilizumabUbrogepantYohimbine Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Looking to start a diet to better manage your high blood pressure? Our nutrition guide can help. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. UpToDate. Amlodipine: Drug information. 2020. Mayo Clinic. Amlodipine. Sept 1, 2020. Mayo Clinic. Calcium channel blockers. 2019.