Amlodipine

ATC code
C08CA01
Therapeutic class
Calcium channel blocker · Dihydropyridine derivative
Forms
oral tablet
Brand names
Norvas (US) · Amlodipine Besylate (US) · Amlodipino Cinfa (ES)
Overall confidence
high

Regulatory sources consulted

Approved indications

Contraindications

Absolute

  • Known sensitivity to amlodipine or other dihydropyridine derivatives.
  • Severe hypotension.
  • Shock (including cardiogenic shock).
  • Obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract (e.g., high-grade aortic stenosis).
  • Hemodynamically unstable heart failure after acute myocardial infarction.

Clinical warnings

Drug interactions

Adverse events

Common (≥1%)

edema · dizziness · flushing · palpitations · fatigue · nausea · abdominal pain · somnolence

Rare but serious

angioedema · myocardial infarction · hypotension · hepatitis · jaundice

Pregnancy and lactation

FDA category: C (Legacy)

The limited available data based on post-marketing reports with amlodipine use in pregnant women are not sufficient to inform a drug-associated risk for major birth defects and miscarriage. There are risks to the mother and fetus associated with poorly controlled hypertension in pregnancy.

Recent literature (PubMed)