Amlodipine

Amlodipine (as besylate, mesylate or maleate) is a medication used to lower blood pressure and prevent chest pain. It belongs to a group of medications known as dihydropyridine-type calcium channel blockers. By widening of blood vessels it lowers blood pressure. In angina, amlodipine increases blood flow to the heart muscle to relieve pain due to angina.

It is on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, the most important medications needed in a basic health system.

Medical uses

Amlodipine is used in the management of hypertension and coronary artery disease (chronic stable angina, vasospastic angina, and angiographically documented CAD without heart failure or ejection fraction < 40%.) It can be used as either monotherapy or combination therapy for the management of hypertension or coronary artery disease. Amlodipine can be administered to adults and children 6–17 years of age.

Contraindications

Absolute

Relative