Amlodipine dosage: Form, strengths, how to take, a
Amlodipine is a generic oral tablet that’s prescribed for certain blood pressure and heart conditions in adults and some children. Amlodipine is typically taken once per day. The dosage can vary depending on certain factors.
Amlodipine is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be used alone or with other drugs to treat:
Amlodipine belongs to a drug class called calcium channel blockers. Amlodipine oral tablets are available in both a generic version and a brand-name version (Norvasc).
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of amlodipine, including its strengths and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at amlodipine, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for amlodipine provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking amlodipine, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
Amlodipine dosage
Below is information about amlodipine’s forms, strengths, and dosages.
Amlodipine forms
Amlodipine comes as an oral tablet.
Note: There are oral liquid forms of amlodipine that you can ask your doctor about. They have different brand names, forms, and strengths from the tablets discussed in this article. For more information, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Amlodipine strengths
Amlodipine oral tablets come in three strengths:
2.5 milligrams (mg)
5 mg
10 mg
Typical dosages
Typically, your doctor will start by prescribing you a low dosage. Then they’ll adjust it over time to reach the amount that’s right for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended in adults. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs. In some cases, doctors may adjust your dosage from those shown below.
Dosage for high blood pressure
Doctors may prescribe amlodipine alone or with other drugs to treat high blood pressure. The starting dosage is typically 2.5 mg to 5 mg once per day.
After 7 to 14 days, your doctor may increase your dosage. Doctors sometimes do this to help your blood pressure readings reach a certain goal. They may increase the dosage up to 10 mg once daily for high blood pressure. This is the maximum dose of amlodipine in 24 hours that’s recommended.
For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.
Dosage for CAD and angina
Amlodipine is also approved to help treat coronary artery disease (CAD) and angina (chest pain). In this case, the recommended starting dosage of amlodipine is 5 mg once daily. However, your doctor may recommend increasing your daily dose to 10 mg, the maximum recommended dose.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage.
Children’s dosage
Amlodipine is approved to treat high blood pressure in children ages 6 years old and older. The typical dosage is 2.5 mg to 5 mg given once per day by mouth.
Doses higher than 5 mg per day have not been studied for use in children.
Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.
How to take amlodipine
Amlodipine comes as an oral tablet. You’ll typically take it once daily, with or without food. The best time to take amlodipine is when your doctor advises. If your doctor doesn’t specify a time, try to take it at the same time every day.
It’s important to take amlodipine exactly as your doctor prescribes. Serious new or worsening problems may occur if amlodipine is skipped, stopped, or taken irregularly. Problems may also occur if you take too much amlodipine.
While taking amlodipine, take care not to start new drugs or supplements without first asking your doctor. Also, try not to stop any prescriptions without your doctor’s input. This includes other blood pressure drugs and nitroglycerin (an angina medication).
If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article, or ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice. If you have questions about how to take amlodipine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Long-term treatment
Amlodipine is meant to be taken as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that amlodipine is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
Before you start taking amlodipine, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you. Talk with them if you have questions about how long you can expect to take amlodipine.
ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERS
Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist. They may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.
Amlodipine and overdose
It’s important that you do not take more amlodipine than your doctor prescribes. Taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects.
Effects of an overdose
Overdose effects of amlodipine can include:
If you take more than the recommended amount of amlodipine
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much amlodipine. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Frequently asked questions
Below are some frequently asked questions about amlodipine.
Is 2.5 mg of amlodipine a low dose?
It depends. The lowest strength that amlodipine tablets are available in is 2.5 milligrams (mg). However, 2.5 mg can be a typical starting amlodipine dosage for older people and certain other groups of people.
Doctors may also prescribe 2.5 mg when adding amlodipine to other blood pressure-lowering drugs. It can also be a maintenance dose for some children. Doctors may prescribe 2.5 mg for people who:
If you have questions or concerns about your dose of amlodipine, share them with your doctor or pharmacist.
What’s the recommended amlodipine dosage for twice-a-day dosing?
There’s no officially recommended amlodipine dose for twice-daily dosing in the prescribing information. Amlodipine is recommended to be taken once per day. However, the prescribing information for amlodipine doesn’t cover off-label uses.
With off-label use, doctors may prescribe a drug for a use other than what the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it for. Or, they may prescribe a dose other than the one approved by the FDA.
The dosing in amlodipine’s FDA-approved labeling is once daily, with no recommendation for twice-daily dosing. Ask your doctor if you have questions about your prescription’s dosage or directions.
Is taking amlodipine tablets at a dose of 20 mg daily typical? Is it considered an overdose?
Amlodipine’s dosing for approved uses (not off-label uses) is listed in its prescribing information. According to the dosing information there, 20 mg daily is not the typical recommended dosage. The maximum recommended dosage in the prescribing information is 10 mg once daily.
Taking more than the amount recommended or prescribed may lead to problems. These can include low blood pressure symptoms, such as fainting and feeling dizzy or lightheaded. A drop in blood pressure may cause a racing heart or increased heart rate. If you have these symptoms, tell a doctor right away.
For more information, see the “Amlodipine and overdose” section. If you have questions about your dose and why it was prescribed, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.