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what is Amlodipine ?

Amlodipine is a prescription medicine used mainly for treating high blood pressure (hypertension) and chest pain (angina). It belongs to a group of drugs known as calcium channel blockers (CCBs). When you have high blood pressure, your heart works harder to pump blood through narrow arteries. Amlodipine relaxes and widens the blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily, thereby reducing pressure on the heart.

  • Lowering blood pressure

  • Preventing heart attacks and strokes

  • Reducing chest pain (angina)

  • Improving overall blood circulation

Mechanism of Action – How It Works

Amlodipine works by blocking the entry of calcium ions into the smooth muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels.

Calcium is needed for muscle contraction, including the contraction of arteries. When calcium channels are blocked:

  • The blood vessels relax (vasodilation)

  • The heart’s workload decreases

  • The oxygen demand of the heart reduces

  • The blood pressure drops

Thus, Amlodipine is effective both as an antihypertensive and antianginal medicine.

Composition and Forms Available

Active Ingredient: Amlodipine Besylate

Available Forms:

  • Tablets: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg

  • Combination tablets (with other BP medicines)

  • Sometimes available in liquid or suspension form for pediatric use (rare)

Common Combinations in India:

  • Amlodipine + Atenolol → for high BP and heart rate control

  • Amlodipine + Losartan or Amlodipine + Telmisartan → for better blood pressure regulation

  • Amlodipine + Lisinopril → for cardiac protection

Medical Uses / Indications

Amlodipine is prescribed for several heart and vascular conditions:

  1. Hypertension (High Blood Pressure):

    • Helps control blood pressure, preventing long-term damage to the heart, kidneys, and brain.

    • Reduces risk of stroke and heart failure.

  2. Angina Pectoris (Chest Pain):

    • Improves blood and oxygen supply to the heart.

    • Reduces frequency and severity of chest pain.

  3. Coronary Artery Disease (CAD):

    • Helps in improving oxygen flow to the heart muscle in patients with blocked arteries.

  4. Raynaud’s Phenomenon:

    • Sometimes used off-label to treat cold, pale fingers/toes caused by blood vessel spasms.