Norvasc (amlodipine besylate) is a long-acting calcium channel blocker (CCB) in the dihydropyridine class. It is widely prescribed for the management of hypertension (high blood pressure) and for the prevention of chronic stable angina and vasospastic (Prinzmetal) angina. By inhibiting the influx of calcium ions into vascular smooth muscle, amlodipine causes peripheral arterial vasodilation. This relaxation of blood vessel walls lowers systemic vascular resistance, which in turn reduces blood pressure and decreases the workload on the heart.
In patients with coronary artery disease, lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of serious cardiovascular events such as stroke, heart attack (myocardial infarction), heart failure exacerbations, and kidney (renal) complications. For people with angina, amlodipine helps prevent chest discomfort by improving coronary blood flow and reducing myocardial oxygen demand. It does not provide immediate relief of acute chest pain; fast-acting agents like sublingual nitroglycerin are used for sudden angina episodes.
Because of its once-daily dosing, long half-life (approximately 30–50 hours), and favorable side effect profile, Norvasc is commonly chosen as a first-line or add-on antihypertensive, often alongside ACE inhibitors, ARBs, thiazide diuretics, or beta blockers. Generic amlodipine is bioequivalent to Norvasc and is broadly available.
Always use Norvasc exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Do not change your dose or stop taking the medication without medical guidance.
How to take:
Combination therapy considerations:
Monitoring and targets:
Before starting Norvasc, inform your healthcare provider about all medical conditions and medicines you take. Particular caution is warranted in the following situations:
Lifestyle considerations that support therapy:
Do not use Norvasc if you:
Norvasc is generally not recommended in children under 6 years of age. For older pediatric patients, dosing should be individualized and supervised by a clinician experienced in pediatric hypertension.
Most people tolerate amlodipine well. Many side effects are mild and temporary during early dose adjustments. Contact your healthcare provider if side effects are persistent, troublesome, or severe.
Common side effects:
Less common side effects:
Rare but serious reactions that require prompt medical attention:
Managing common side effects:
Amlodipine is metabolized primarily by CYP3A4. Medicines and foods that affect this pathway can change amlodipine levels, potentially altering blood pressure response or side effect risk. Always provide a complete list of prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, and supplements to your healthcare provider.
Notable interactions:
Herbals and supplements to discuss with your clinician:
If you miss a dose of Norvasc, take it as soon as you remember the same day. If it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at once to make up for a missed tablet. Setting daily reminders or using a pill organizer can help maintain consistency.
Symptoms of overdose may include pronounced dizziness, fainting, marked hypotension, flushing, and reflex tachycardia. Severe cases can lead to shock. If an overdose is suspected, call emergency services immediately. Initial management may include supportive care with intravenous fluids, monitoring of cardiac rhythm, and vasopressor support if needed. Early administration of activated charcoal may limit absorption, and intravenous calcium (e.g., calcium gluconate) can help counteract excessive vasodilation under medical supervision.
Store Norvasc (amlodipine) tablets at controlled room temperature, ideally 68–77°F (20–25°C). Short excursions between 59–86°F (15–30°C) are generally permitted. Keep tablets in their original container, tightly closed, protected from excessive moisture and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Always keep medicines out of the reach of children and pets. Do not use tablets past the expiration date, and dispose of unused medication according to local guidance or pharmacy take-back programs—do not flush unless instructed.
Norvasc (amlodipine) is FDA-approved and, in the United States, is available by prescription only. A licensed healthcare provider should prescribe the medication based on your blood pressure readings, overall cardiovascular risk, medical history, and concomitant therapies. Generic amlodipine is widely available and typically covered by most insurance plans, often at low copays. Regular blood pressure monitoring and periodic follow-up appointments are recommended to confirm that your treatment plan is safe and effective and to adjust the dose when needed.
Safe access guidance:
Prescription pathways and structured access: In certain settings and jurisdictions, patients may obtain amlodipine through collaborative practice agreements, standing orders, or integrated care models where a clinician evaluates eligibility and authorizes dispensing without a traditional paper prescription. Health systems sometimes streamline this through on-site assessments or telehealth screenings that meet state and federal requirements.
HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital at MountainView offers a legal and structured solution for acquiring Norvasc without a formal prescription, accomplished through compliant clinical evaluation and authorization under applicable state laws and institutional protocols. This pathway emphasizes patient safety, documentation, and follow-up, ensuring that therapy is appropriate and monitored, even when a conventional prescription document is not issued. Availability of this service, and eligibility, may vary by state and individual clinical factors; patients should contact the facility directly to understand the process and requirements.
Whether you receive Norvasc via a traditional prescription or through a structured clinical program, the same safeguards apply: verified diagnosis, medication reconciliation, counseling on side effects and interactions, and scheduled follow-up to track blood pressure and symptoms.
The information provided here is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have about a medical condition or medication. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read here. While efforts are made to keep content accurate and up to date, no guarantee is made regarding completeness or timeliness. The authors and publishers are not responsible for errors, omissions, or any outcomes related to the use of this information.
Norvasc is the brand name for amlodipine, a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker. It relaxes blood vessel walls by blocking L-type calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle, lowering blood pressure and reducing angina by decreasing afterload and improving coronary blood flow. Its long half-life (about 30–50 hours) supports once-daily dosing.
Norvasc is approved for high blood pressure (hypertension), chronic stable angina, and vasospastic (Prinzmetal) angina. It’s also used in people with coronary artery disease to reduce angina-related hospitalizations.
You may see some blood pressure reduction within 24–48 hours, with the full effect typically reached in 1–2 weeks. In some cases, maximal benefit may take up to 3–4 weeks, especially after dose changes.
Most adults start at 5 mg once daily, with a range of 2.5–10 mg once daily. Older adults, smaller or frail patients, and those with liver impairment often start at 2.5 mg. The maximum recommended dose is 10 mg daily.
Standard Norvasc tablets are not extended-release and can usually be split if scored; many can be crushed if needed. Confirm with your pharmacist and use a tablet splitter for accuracy.
Take it as soon as you remember the same day. If it’s near the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Do not double up.
Common effects include ankle/leg swelling (peripheral edema), flushing, dizziness, headache, fatigue, nausea, and palpitations. Edema is dose-related and more likely at 10 mg.
Seek urgent care for severe lightheadedness or fainting, chest pain that is new or worsening, signs of a severe allergic reaction (rash, swelling, trouble breathing), or very fast heartbeat. Rarely, angina can worsen when starting or increasing the dose; report any changes promptly.
Norvasc typically does not slow heart rate; a mild increase (reflex tachycardia) can occur in some people. If you experience persistent palpitations or a rapid heartbeat, contact your clinician.
Yes. It’s commonly combined with ACE inhibitors, ARBs, thiazide diuretics, or beta blockers for additive blood pressure control. Your clinician may adjust doses to balance blood pressure, heart rate, and swelling.
Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (for example, clarithromycin, certain azole antifungals, protease inhibitors) can raise amlodipine levels; inducers (rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin) can lower them. Limit large daily amounts of grapefruit juice; occasional intake is unlikely to be clinically significant. When taken with simvastatin, the simvastatin dose should not exceed 20 mg daily.
Yes. Gingival hyperplasia can occur with chronic use. Good oral hygiene and regular dental care help; report gum changes to your dentist and prescriber.
Yes. No dose adjustment is usually needed in renal impairment, and amlodipine is considered kidney-friendly. Your clinician will monitor blood pressure, swelling, and overall kidney health.
Amlodipine is metabolized in the liver, so levels can be higher in hepatic impairment. Lower starting doses (for example, 2.5 mg) and careful titration are recommended.
Store at room temperature, away from moisture and excessive heat, and in the original container. Keep out of reach of children and pets.
Amlodipine is generally neutral in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and may be used if needed for blood pressure or angina control. Non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (verapamil, diltiazem) are usually avoided in reduced ejection fraction due to negative effects on heart contractility.
Alcohol can enhance blood-pressure-lowering effects and increase dizziness or lightheadedness. If you drink, do so in moderation and rise slowly from sitting or lying positions; avoid binge drinking.
Human data are limited. Norvasc may be used if the benefits outweigh risks, but alternatives like labetalol and nifedipine ER are often preferred for hypertension in pregnancy. Always discuss treatment plans with your obstetric clinician.
Small amounts of amlodipine appear in breast milk, and most references consider it compatible with breastfeeding. Monitor the infant for unusual sleepiness, irritability, or poor feeding, and consult your pediatrician and prescriber.
Calcium channel blockers are typically continued, including on the day of surgery, to avoid rebound hypertension. Inform your surgical and anesthesia teams; they will monitor for low blood pressure during the procedure.
Until you know how you respond, use caution. Dizziness or fatigue can occur, especially when starting or increasing the dose.
Heat and dehydration can amplify vasodilation, raising the risk of dizziness or fainting. Stay hydrated, avoid excessive heat exposure, and stand up slowly.
Amlodipine’s interaction with grapefruit juice is modest compared with some other calcium channel blockers. Occasional consumption is unlikely to matter, but avoid large daily amounts without discussing with your clinician.
Both lower blood pressure effectively. Norvasc has a longer half-life and smoother 24-hour control with generally less reflex tachycardia; nifedipine ER works well too but may have a slightly higher rate of edema at equivalent blood pressure reduction. Choice depends on tolerance, cost, and clinician preference.
Both relieve angina by dilating coronary and peripheral arteries. Norvasc’s long half-life supports steady symptom control and once-daily dosing; nifedipine must be the extended-release form for angina and may cause more flushing or palpitations in some patients.
Both are long-acting dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers. Norvasc tends to have a longer half-life and is less sensitive to missed doses; felodipine may have more interaction with CYP3A4 inhibitors and grapefruit. Side effect profiles overlap, with edema and headache common to both.
Both effectively reduce blood pressure. Lercanidipine is highly lipophilic and should be taken on an empty stomach; it may cause less ankle edema in some studies but can have more food and drug interaction considerations. Norvasc’s long half-life offers consistent control and flexible administration with or without food.
Norvasc is longer-acting and supports once-daily dosing with a half-life around 30–50 hours. Isradipine has a shorter duration and is less commonly used today, often requiring twice-daily dosing.
Norvasc is used chronically for hypertension and angina as an oral once-daily medication. Nicardipine is frequently used intravenously for acute blood pressure control in hospitals; oral formulations exist but are less commonly chosen for long-term therapy.
Norvasc is an oral, long-acting option for outpatient management. Clevidipine is an IV, ultra–short-acting calcium channel blocker used in critical care or perioperative settings for rapid, titratable blood pressure control.
Norvasc lowers blood pressure without significantly slowing heart rate. Verapamil (a non-dihydropyridine) lowers blood pressure and heart rate, treats arrhythmias, and often causes constipation; it is generally avoided in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction due to negative inotropy.
Norvasc is preferred when heart-rate lowering is not desired and for peripheral vasodilation. Diltiazem can lower heart rate and is useful for angina and some arrhythmias but has more CYP3A4 and P-gp interactions and is typically avoided in reduced ejection fraction heart failure.
They contain the same active ingredient and are bioequivalent within strict regulatory standards. Differences are limited to inactive ingredients, appearance, and cost; most patients do equally well on either.
Amlodipine is most commonly formulated as the besylate salt; other salts are rarely used clinically. The active amlodipine delivered is the same when dosed equivalently, so clinical effects should be comparable.
S-amlodipine contains the active S-enantiomer only and is marketed in some regions at half the milligram dose. Evidence suggests similar blood-pressure lowering at equipotent dosing, with side effect differences small; availability varies by country, and Norvasc remains widely used and well studied.
