{"id":53197,"date":"2022-08-15T09:30:39","date_gmt":"2022-08-15T13:30:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=53197"},"modified":"2025-12-18T12:31:20","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T17:31:20","slug":"the-truth-about-amlodipine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/the-truth-about-amlodipine\/","title":{"rendered":"9 common questions about amlodipine"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019ve recently been prescribed amlodipine (brand name <\/span>Norvasc<\/span><\/a>)\u2014a drug commonly used to <\/span>treat high blood pressure<\/span><\/a>\u2014you probably have some questions. We\u2019re here to separate fact from fiction and answer some of the most common questions about amlodipine.<\/span><\/p>\n

The truth about amlodipine: 9 FAQs and misconceptions<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re taking amlodipine<\/a>, you may have heard that it\u2019s unsafe, causes unpleasant side effects like weight gain, or even that it\u2019s been recalled for containing carcinogens. However, many of the rumors circulating about amlodipine are based on misleading information. Here are answers to your most pressing questions.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Is amlodipine a beta blocker?\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

No, amlodipine is not a beta blocker\u2014it\u2019s a calcium channel blocker. Both drugs have a similar effect on blood pressure but different mechanisms of action.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBeta blockers affect heart rate and how fast the heart beats,\u201d says <\/span>Jennifer Wong<\/span><\/a>, MD, cardiologist and medical director of Non-Invasive Cardiology at MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in California. \u201cCalcium channel blockers have vasodilating effects that help the smooth muscles of the arteries dilate and lower your blood pressure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t

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2. Is amlodipine a blood thinner?<\/span><\/h3>\n

No. Blood thinners are anticoagulants that <\/span>make your blood less prone to clotting<\/span><\/a>. Some blood thinners you may have heard of include Coumadin (warfarin)<\/a>, Eliquis (apixaban)<\/a>, and Xarelto (rivaroxaban)<\/a>. Amlodipine doesn\u2019t have any effect on the thickness of your blood or how it clots.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3. How does amlodipine work?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Calcium channel blockers like amlodipine affect the movement of calcium into the heart and blood vessels, which relaxes the blood vessels. This allows blood to flow more freely, which not only relieves angina by allowing more blood and oxygen to circulate through your body and reach your heart, but also helps lower blood pressure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Do I have to take amlodipine at bedtime?\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

You don\u2019t <\/span>have <\/span><\/i>to take amlodipine at bedtime, explains Dr. Wong, as long as you take it consistently at the same time each day. But there are benefits to taking some kind of blood pressure medication, whether it\u2019s amlodipine or something else, before you go to sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour blood pressure varies throughout the day, [and is usually] highest in the morning and drops at night,\u201d Dr. Wong says. \u201cBut sometimes as we age, that nighttime drop doesn\u2019t happen, increasing the risk of cardiovascular problems.\u201d Taking amlodipine or another prescribed blood pressure medication can decrease those spikes, says Dr. Wong, and improve your overall health outcomes. Talk with your healthcare provider about the best time to take amlodipine. Amlodipine must be taken every day, so you can also discuss ways to remember to take your medicine every day, such as setting reminders on your phone or using a pill organizer.<\/span><\/p>\n

5. How long does amlodipine stay in your system?<\/span><\/h3>\n

According to ambulatory care pharmacist <\/span>MaRanda Herring, Pharm.D.<\/span><\/a>, amlodipine has a half-life of about 30 to 50 hours, which means it takes that amount of time for half of the drug to be eliminated from the body.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c[However], it takes about five times as long for the drug to be completely out of your system,\u201d she warns, \u201c[which] means some amlodipine could remain in your system for up to 11 days.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Does amlodipine lower heart rate?\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

No, it doesn\u2019t impact heart rate. Beta blockers work this way, but Dr. Herring says calcium channel blockers work predominantly on the peripheral arteries, dilating these blood vessels and reducing blood pressure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Can I take amlodipine every other day?\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Despite the long half-life of amlodipine, says Dr. Herring, its blood pressure-lowering effects start to wane after 24 hours. If you\u2019re relying on the drug to keep your blood pressure low or your angina at bay, taking amlodipine every other day won\u2019t be often enough, she warns: \u201cWhile some medications may be taken every other day, the <\/span>American Heart Association<\/span><\/a> recommends against this practice with blood pressure medications like amlodipine.\u201d Take amlodipine exactly as prescribed by your healthcare professional to get the most benefit from the medication.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

8. What are the dangers of taking amlodipine?<\/span><\/h3>\n

In general, amlodipine is considered a safe and effective antihypertensive drug when taken at the correct dosage. It\u2019s been <\/span>prescribed widely for over 20 years<\/span><\/a>, per a 2016 research article in <\/span>Open Heart<\/span><\/i>. That means we have a strong body of evidence for its use in treating hypertension and angina. Controlling blood pressure helps to reduce your risk of medical conditions including heart attack, heart disease, and stroke.<\/span><\/p>\n

That said, amlodipine can be dangerous when taken in excessive amounts. It\u2019s a common cause of drug overdose in cardiovascular medicine and its toxicity can be fatal, but it\u2019s important to note that several <\/span>reported cases of amlodipine overdose<\/span><\/a> involved extremely high amounts of the drug (i.e., 50 or more tablets). If you think you took too much amlodipine, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or get emergency medical help. Symptoms of an amlodipine overdose may include fast heartbeat, fainting, and\/or redness and warmth in the arms and legs.<\/span><\/p>\n

In typical dosages, amlodipine can cause arterial dilation, says Dr. Wong, which can lead to swelling in the legs, excess amounts of blood pooling or collecting in the veins, dizziness, headaches, and flushing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Though many people believe amlodipine can cause weight gain, that hasn\u2019t been widely seen in studies or trials; it may happen in <\/span>less than 1% of people taking it<\/span><\/a>. The edema and swelling that amlodipine can cause may also make it seem as though the drug leads to weight gain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Talk to your healthcare provider if you\u2019re considering using amlodipine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.<\/span><\/p>\n

9. Has amlodipine been recalled?<\/span><\/h3>\n

No, amlodipine itself hasn\u2019t been recalled. In recent years, some combination drugs for blood pressure containing amlodipine (like <\/span>valsartan<\/span><\/a>) were recalled, but the issue was never with the amlodipine\u2014it was one or more of the other drugs contained in the formulation that was <\/span>flagged<\/a> as a possible carcinogen<\/span> by the FDA.<\/span><\/p>\n

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