See the DrugPatentWatch profile for Norvasc
Norvasc (amlodipine) is a prescription medicine used to treat heart and blood-pressure conditions.
What conditions does Norvasc (amlodipine) treat?
Norvasc is used for:
- High blood pressure (hypertension) to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, and kidney problems linked to high blood pressure.
- Angina (chest pain), including chronic (stable) angina, to help prevent chest pain episodes.
- Vasospastic (Prinzmetal’s) angina, to reduce the frequency of chest-pain attacks caused by spasms of the coronary arteries.
Is Norvasc used for heart attack or “emergency” chest pain?
Norvasc is generally not used for rapid relief of sudden chest pain during an acute attack. It’s typically used to prevent or reduce the frequency of angina episodes over time. Acute chest pain is usually treated with faster-acting medications as directed by a clinician.
How does Norvasc work (why is it prescribed)?
Amlodipine blocks calcium entry into blood vessel muscle cells. That relaxes and widens blood vessels, which:
- Lowers blood pressure
- Improves blood flow to the heart, helping reduce angina
Common side effects patients ask about
People taking Norvasc often report:
- Swelling (edema), especially in the ankles or feet
- Flushing or feeling warm
- Headache
- Dizziness or fatigue
If you have severe dizziness, fainting, allergic symptoms, or worsening chest pain, that needs urgent medical attention.
Important cautions
- It can worsen ankle swelling in some people, and dose adjustments may be needed.
- Tell your prescriber about other blood-pressure or heart medicines, since combinations can change how low your blood pressure becomes.
If you tell me what you were prescribed Norvasc for (blood pressure vs angina) and your dose, I can tailor the “uses” explanation to that exact purpose.