medicationPrescription only (US)
AmlodipineBenefits, Dosage & Interactions
Amlodipine (Norvasc) is a long-acting dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker prescribed for high blood pressure and for chronic stable or vasospastic angina. It blocks calcium entry into vascular smooth muscle, relaxing arteries so the heart pumps against less resistance. It is typically taken in the morning.
Researched by DoseRoutine R&D TeamReviewed for accuracy by Nicholas Alexander, RSELast updated
Evidence: Moderate — One published human randomized trial; results not yet replicated.
Evidence strengthModerate · 3/4
PreclinicalStrong human evidence
One published human randomized trial; results not yet replicated.
Quick answer
Amlodipine (Norvasc) is a long-acting dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker prescribed for high blood pressure and for chronic stable or vasospastic angina. It blocks calcium entry into vascular smooth muscle, relaxing arteries so the heart pumps against less resistance. Its very long half-life means one daily dose covers 24 hours, and full blood-pressure effect takes about one to two weeks to settle.
- Brand name
- Norvasc
- Drug class
- Dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker
- Prescribed for
- Hypertension; chronic stable and vasospastic angina
- Dosing rhythm
- Once daily, with or without food
- Half-life
- Roughly 30–50 hours — full effect in 1–2 weeks
- Signature side effect
- Dose-related ankle and lower-leg swelling (oedema)
Compiled by DoseRoutine from public sources including NIH/MedlinePlus, the FDA label, Mayo Clinic and PubChem. Educational information, not medical advice.
Plasma half-life
~40 h
Typical timing
morning
Default unit
mg
What published protocols report
Ranges documented in the literature, shown for reference. DoseRoutine does not recommend an amount — your prescriber or the product label sets the dose.
- Reported amounts
- The cited randomized trial titrated amlodipine from 2.5 mg to 10 mg once daily against lisinopril and chlorthalidone arms[1]
- Route studied
- Oral[1]
- Frequency
- Once daily in the cited trial[1]
- Cycle length
- Mean follow-up of 4.9 years in the cited trial[1]
- Half-life
- Roughly 30-50 hours[1]
- Storage
- Room temperature, sealed[1]
Reported for Amlodipine in the cited sources. Published ranges are not dosing advice.
References & evidence
Documents the Amlodipine entry is written from. Each number matches an inline marker above.
- [1]Major outcomes in high-risk hypertensive patients randomized to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or calcium channel blocker vs diuretic: The Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT)ALLHAT Officers and Coordinators for the ALLHAT Collaborative Research Group · JAMA · 2002 · Peer-reviewed · PMID 12479763
How to track Amlodipine doses
Tracking Amlodipine well takes four fields and a habit. Here is what to record so the log is still useful in three months.
- 1
Add the dose and unit
Log Amlodipine with its dose in mg so totals stay comparable over time — including days when you split the dose or skip it.
- 2
Set the time of day and food rule
Typical timing is morning. Reminders fire at that time and can export to your calendar.
- 3
Check it against the rest of the stack
Run Amlodipine through the interaction checker against everything else in the routine — supplements, peptides, hormones and prescriptions — before it becomes a daily habit.
- 4
Log adherence, not intentions
Mark each dose taken, skipped or delayed as it happens. Weeks of honest logs are what make an adherence rate or a trend line meaningful; retrospective guessing is not.
- 5
Review against outcomes
With a reported half-life around 40 h, effects and timing shifts show up over days rather than instantly. Review Amlodipine alongside your logged metrics and any relevant blood work every few weeks before changing the dose.
What to log each time
- Dose in mg
- Time of day
- Taken / skipped / delayed
- Any side effects or notable changes
References & Evidence
Sources on this page that document Amlodipine dosing, timing and safety.
- [1]National Center for Biotechnology Information View source
Educational information only — not medical advice. Dose ranges vary by person, indication and prescriber.
What is Amlodipine?Sources for this section: Jumps to this entry in the sources and references list at the end of the page.
Amlodipine is a medication belonging to the class of dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers. It is primarily used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and various forms of angina (chest pain). Amlodipine works by relaxing blood vessels, thereby reducing the workload on the heart and improving blood flow. It is available as an oral tablet, often prescribed for once-daily dosing. As a prescription medication, its use must be directed and supervised by a licensed healthcare professional. (DrugBank, MedlinePlus)
What does the research say about Amlodipine?
Tap a section to expand.
Amlodipine exerts its therapeutic effects by inhibiting the influx of extracellular calcium ions across the membranes of cardiac and vascular smooth muscle cells. This action is preferential for vascular smooth muscle. By reducing intracellular calcium concentrations, amlodipine causes vasodilation (widening of blood vessels), particularly in peripheral arterioles and coronary arteries.
In the context of hypertension, this peripheral arteriolar vasodilation decreases peripheral vascular resistance, leading to a reduction in blood pressure. For angina, amlodipine's actions include coronary vasodilation, which improves oxygen delivery to the heart muscle, and a reduction in afterload (the resistance the heart must pump against), which reduces myocardial oxygen demand. Its slow binding and dissociation from calcium channels contribute to its prolonged duration of action. (DrugBank, FDA label)
Source for this section: Sources for How does Amlodipine work?: Jumps to this entry in the sources and references list at the end of the page.
The primary benefits of amlodipine are related to its ability to manage cardiovascular conditions:
* **Hypertension (High Blood Pressure):** Amlodipine effectively lowers blood pressure, which helps to reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular events such as stroke, heart attack, and kidney problems. (Mayo Clinic)
* **Chronic Stable Angina:** By improving blood flow to the heart and reducing myocardial oxygen demand, amlodipine can decrease the frequency and severity of chest pain episodes associated with stable angina. (MedlinePlus)
* **Vasospastic Angina (Prinzmetal's or Variant Angina):** Amlodipine is effective in preventing coronary artery spasms, which are the cause of vasospastic angina. (FDA label)
Clinical studies have consistently demonstrated the efficacy of amlodipine in treating hypertension and angina. Large-scale trials, such as the ALLHAT (Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial) study, have shown amlodipine to be effective in reducing cardiovascular events in hypertensive patients. Its long duration of action supports once-daily dosing, contributing to patient adherence. For angina, evidence supports its role in reducing symptomatic episodes and improving exercise tolerance. (Cochrane, NIH ODS)
Ongoing post-market surveillance and observational studies continue to confirm its safety and effectiveness profile in a broad patient population. (FDA label)
Common side effects associated with amlodipine often include:
* Edema (swelling), particularly in the ankles and feet
* Headache
* Fatigue
* Nausea
* Dizziness
* Flushing
* Palpitations
Less common, but more serious side effects can include hypotension (low blood pressure), increased angina or myocardial infarction (heart attack) at the start of treatment, and liver enzyme elevations. Patients should report any persistent or worsening side effects to their clinician. This is educational information, not medical advice — consult a qualified clinician before starting, stopping or combining any compound.
Amlodipine should be used with caution in certain patient populations:
* **Hypotension:** Due to its vasodilatory effects, amlodipine can cause symptomatic hypotension, especially at the initiation of treatment or during dose escalation. Blood pressure should be monitored.
* **Patients with Hepatic Impairment:** Amlodipine is extensively metabolized by the liver. Patients with impaired liver function may have reduced clearance of amlodipine, leading to increased exposure and requiring careful dose titration and monitoring.
* **Patients with Heart Failure:** Although amlodipine has generally been used safely in patients with compensated heart failure, it should be used with caution in patients with severe obstructive coronary artery disease where an increase in angina or acute myocardial infarction could occur. In general, calcium channel blockers are not recommended for those with uncompensated heart failure. (FDA label, MedlinePlus)
* **Elderly Patients:** Elderly patients may be more sensitive to the effects of amlodipine and may experience higher plasma concentrations due to reduced clearance. Lower starting doses and careful monitoring are often advised.
This is educational information, not medical advice — consult a qualified clinician before starting, stopping or combining any compound.
Amlodipine is contraindicated in individuals with known hypersensitivity to amlodipine or any other dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker. It should also generally be avoided in cases of severe aortic stenosis, cardiogenic shock, and unstable angina not yet controlled by other treatments due to the risk of exacerbating these conditions. (EMA SmPC, DrugBank)
This is educational information, not medical advice — consult a qualified clinician before starting, stopping or combining any compound.
Concurrent use of amlodipine with certain medications can alter its effectiveness or increase the risk of side effects:
* **CYP3A4 Inhibitors:** Strong and moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin, ritonavir, diltiazem, grapefruit juice) can increase amlodipine exposure, potentially leading to increased blood pressure lowering or edema. Dose adjustment may be necessary.
* **CYP3A4 Inducers:** Co-administration with CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., rifampicin, St. John's Wort) may decrease amlodipine plasma concentrations, potentially reducing its efficacy.
* **Simvastatin:** Amlodipine can increase the systemic exposure of simvastatin. The dose of simvastatin should typically be limited to 20 mg daily in patients receiving amlodipine.
* **Other Antihypertensives:** Concomitant use with other antihypertensive agents (e.g., diuretics, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors) can lead to additive blood pressure lowering effects. While often beneficial for blood pressure control, careful monitoring is required to avoid excessive hypotension.
This is educational information, not medical advice — consult a qualified clinician before starting, stopping or combining any compound.
Amlodipine is typically administered once daily. Due to its long half-life, consistent plasma concentrations are maintained over a 24-hour period. It can be taken with or without food. Many individuals find taking it in the morning is convenient and helps establish a routine. However, the specific time of day may be adjusted based on individual response and clinician advice.
Dose is user-directed and must be set by a licensed clinician.
Source for this section: Sources for When should you take Amlodipine?: Jumps to this entry in the sources and references list at the end of the page.
What interacts with Amlodipine?
| Interacts with | Severity | Type | What happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any supplement + medication | Note | Category ruleConfidence: theoretical | Some supplements change how the body processes medications (absorption, liver enzymes, or additive effects).Source pending | Specific pairs are checked against a licensed drug database and shown with their own severity. Always confirm with your provider or pharmacist. |
| Any vitamin + medication | Note | Category ruleConfidence: theoretical | Certain vitamins interact with specific medications (e.g., vitamin K with blood thinners).Source pending | Specific pairs are checked against a licensed source; confirm with your provider. |
| Amantadine | Caution | Compound pairConfidence: theoretical | Amantadine plus a calcium-channel blocker can additively lower blood pressure and cause dizziness or ankle swelling.Source pending | Monitor BP at home. Rise slowly. Tell your clinician if you feel lightheaded. |
| Sildenafil | Caution | Compound pairConfidence: theoretical | PDE5 inhibitors add to the blood-pressure-lowering effect of antihypertensives.Source pending | Start PDE5 at the lowest effective dose and monitor for hypotension. |
| Tadalafil | Caution | Compound pairConfidence: theoretical | PDE5 inhibitors add to the blood-pressure-lowering effect of antihypertensives.Source pending | Start PDE5 at the lowest effective dose and monitor for hypotension. |
| Vardenafil | Caution | Compound pairConfidence: theoretical | PDE5 inhibitors add to the blood-pressure-lowering effect of antihypertensives.Source pending | Start PDE5 at the lowest effective dose and monitor for hypotension. |
Frequently asked questions about Amlodipine
Amlodipine is a medication. The summary below is built from NIH monographs, PubChem chemical records and published trial literature rather than vendor copy.
Amlodipine is commonly discussed in the context of the goals discussed on its profile page. Individual response varies, and use should be reviewed with a licensed clinician who can weigh the benefits and risks for your situation.
For Amlodipine, it is typically taken in the morning and its approximate half-life is 40 hours, which influences dosing frequency. Always follow the specific dose your clinician or the product label prescribes.
Amlodipine carries potential side effects and drug interactions, documented in NIH, Mayo Clinic, and FDA label sources. Amlodipine is classified as a controlled substance in some jurisdictions, so legal status and prescribing rules apply. Stop use and contact a clinician if you experience unexpected symptoms.
Interaction risk for Amlodipine comes from the rest of the stack: other medications, prescription medicines, hormone therapy and peptides. Because Amlodipine is usually taken in the morning, most avoidable conflicts come from what else lands in that same window. With a reported plasma half-life near 40 hours, separating doses can change the picture as much as removing one. Risk depends on dose, timing and what else is taken the same day, so each pairing has to be checked rather than assumed safe. The free checker at https://doseroutine.com/interaction-checker covers Amlodipine with no sign-up.
There is no single answer for Amlodipine plus TRT. What matters is the specific protocol you are on and what your most recent hormone panel shows. No general contraindication applies across every TRT protocol, so confirm the combination with the prescribing clinician. See the free TRT interaction reference: https://doseroutine.com/trt-supplement-interactions
Pairing Amlodipine with peptides has to be assessed one peptide at a time, because GLP-1 agonists, secretagogues, healing peptides and melanocortins do not share an interaction profile. Check the combination peptide by peptide rather than as one group, and review it with a clinician familiar with peptide protocols.
A long plasma half-life of about 40 hours means Amlodipine is commonly dosed every few days or weekly rather than daily. It is typically taken in the morning. Frequency is a clinical decision, not a fixed rule — confirm it with the prescriber or product label. Comparison of apps that keep a schedule like this: https://doseroutine.com/best-dose-tracking-apps
With a plasma half-life near 40 hours, a single missed dose of Amlodipine usually has a smaller effect on overall exposure than an irregular pattern of missed doses does. Doubling up to "catch up" is generally not appropriate unless the label or prescriber says so. Follow the missed-dose instructions on your label or from your clinician, and log the miss so the pattern is visible later rather than forgotten.
For Amlodipine the useful record is the dose, the time it was actually taken, and what else was taken in the same window. A written log or spreadsheet works for planning but does not remind you or flag conflicts — see the honest comparison at https://doseroutine.com/vs/spreadsheet and the wider roundup at https://doseroutine.com/best-dose-tracking-apps — DoseRoutine tracks the schedule, the remaining supply and interactions with the rest of your routine in one place.
Amlodipine dilates arterioles more than veins, which raises pressure in the capillary beds of the lower legs and pushes fluid into the tissue. The swelling is dose-related, more common in women, and is not a sign of heart or kidney failure by itself — but it should still be reported, since prescribers often manage it by adjusting the regimen. This is educational information, not medical advice.
Amlodipine's half-life of 30–50 hours means blood levels stay steady around the clock, so timing matters far less than consistency. Large trials comparing morning and evening dosing of antihypertensives have not shown a decisive winner; the practical advice is to pick one time and keep it. This is educational information, not medical advice.
Grapefruit inhibits CYP3A4, the enzyme that clears amlodipine, so it can raise blood levels and increase dizziness and swelling. The interaction is milder than with some other calcium channel blockers such as felodipine, but labeling still advises caution. This is educational information, not medical advice.
Amlodipine does not cause the sharp rebound seen with abruptly stopped beta blockers, but blood pressure will drift back up over days as the drug clears, and angina can return. Stopping should be a clinician's decision. This is educational information, not medical advice.
Which studies looked at Amlodipine?
Peer-reviewed research indexed in PubMed. Each entry links to the original record.
- 1.Nifedipine or amlodipine? The choice for hypertension during pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis(opens PubMed in a new tab)Arch Gynecol Obstet · 2022 · PMID 35305140 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35305140/
- 2.Olmesartan medoxomil/amlodipine(opens PubMed in a new tab)Drugs · 2009 · PMID 19405551 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19405551/
- 3.Amlodipine/Valsartan: fixed-dose combination in hypertension(opens PubMed in a new tab)Drugs · 2008 · PMID 18257612 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18257612/
- 4.Telmisartan/amlodipine: single-pill combination in hypertension(opens PubMed in a new tab)Am J Cardiovasc Drugs · 2010 · PMID 21090832 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21090832/
Sources cited on this page
Specific documents referenced by the numbered markers above. Each number matches the marker in the text.
- PubChem CID 60496(opens in a new tab)National Center for Biotechnology Information · pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/60496
Verify at
Publisher search links for Amlodipine. These are places to check the information — they are not citations, so they are not numbered.
- DrugBank(publisher search, opens in a new tab)DrugBank Online · publisher search
- MedlinePlus(publisher search, opens in a new tab)U.S. National Library of Medicine · publisher search
- Mayo Clinic(publisher search, opens in a new tab)Mayo Clinic · publisher search
- FDA-approved labeling (DailyMed)(publisher search, opens in a new tab)U.S. Food and Drug Administration · publisher search
- European Medicines Agency(publisher search, opens in a new tab)European Medicines Agency · publisher search
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements(publisher search, opens in a new tab)National Institutes of Health · publisher search
- Cochrane Library(publisher search, opens in a new tab)Cochrane · publisher search
- PubMed literature search(publisher search, opens in a new tab)National Library of Medicine · publisher search
- Wikipedia entry(publisher search, opens in a new tab)Wikipedia · publisher search
DoseRoutine compiles summaries from publicly available scientific and regulatory references. Always verify important decisions with a licensed clinician. How we source and review this information.
What is the short answer on Amlodipine?
Plain-text summary, safe to quote verbatim:
Amlodipine (Norvasc) is a long-acting dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker prescribed for high blood pressure and for chronic stable or vasospastic angina. It blocks calcium entry into vascular smooth muscle, relaxing arteries so the heart pumps against less resistance. It is typically taken in the morning.
Source: DoseRoutine — https://doseroutine.com/library/amlodipine
Cite this page
Using this in an article, AI answer, or research note? Please attribute:
DoseRoutine. (2026). Amlodipine — Overview, Benefits & Side Effects. Retrieved from https://doseroutine.com/library/amlodipine
What compounds are similar to Amlodipine?
Others in the medication category or studied for the same goals.