Amlodipine and atorvastatin

Generic name: Amlodipine And Atorvastatin
Brand names: Caduet
Dosage form: oral tablet (10 mg-10 mg; 10 mg-20 mg; 10 mg-40 mg; 10 mg-80 mg; 2.5 mg-10 mg; 2.5 mg-20 mg; 2.5 mg-40 mg; 5 mg-10 mg; 5 mg-20 mg; 5 mg-40 mg; 5 mg-80 mg)

Usage of Amlodipine and atorvastatin

Amlodipine and atorvastatin is a combination medicine used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), chest pain (angina), and coronary artery disease (clogged arteries).

Amlodipine and atorvastatin is also used to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other heart complications in people with diabetes, coronary heart disease, or other risk factors.

amlodipine and atorvastatin can help lower blood levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL), to increase levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL), and to lower triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood).

Amlodipine and atorvastatin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Amlodipine and atorvastatin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

In rare cases, atorvastatin can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, or dark colored urine.

Amlodipine and atorvastatin may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

muscle stiffness, tremors, abnormal muscle movements;

muscle weakness in your hips, shoulders, neck, and back;

trouble lifting your arms, trouble climbing or standing;

severe drowsiness, feeling like you might pass out;

worsening chest pain, or chest pain spreading to the arm or jaw, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling; or

liver problems--upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, tiredness, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects of amlodipine and atorvastatin may include:

muscle or joint pain;

diarrhea;

nausea, upset stomach; or

swelling in your legs or ankles.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Amlodipine and atorvastatin

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to amlodipine (Norvasc) or atorvastatin (Lipitor), or if:

you have liver disease; or

you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Do not use if you are pregnant. This medicine can harm an unborn baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy. Stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor at once if you become pregnant.

Do not breastfeed while you are taking this medicine.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

kidney disease;

heart disease;

muscle pain or weakness;

diabetes;

a thyroid disorder; or

if you drink more than 2 alcoholic beverages daily.

Atorvastatin can cause the breakdown of muscle tissue, which can lead to kidney failure. This happens more often in women, in older adults, or people who have kidney disease or poorly controlled hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).

How to use Amlodipine and atorvastatin

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Take amlodipine and atorvastatin at the same time each day, with or without food.

Do not break an amlodipine and atorvastatin tablet. Tell your doctor if you have trouble swallowing the pill.

You may need to stop using amlodipine and atorvastatin for a short time if you have:

uncontrolled seizures;

an electrolyte imbalance (such as high or low potassium levels in your blood);

severely low blood pressure;

a severe infection or illness; or

surgery or a medical emergency.

You will need frequent medical tests.

You may need to take amlodipine and atorvastatin on a long-term basis. Keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure or high cholesterol often have no symptoms.

Amlodipine and atorvastatin is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Warnings

You should not use amlodipine and atorvastatin if you have liver disease.

Do not use if you are pregnant or if you become pregnant.

Do not breastfeed.

What other drugs will affect Amlodipine and atorvastatin

Certain other drugs can increase your risk of serious muscle problems, and it is very important that your doctor knows if you are using any of them. Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

antibiotic or antifungal medicine;

birth control pills;

cholesterol-lowering medication;

antiviral medicine to treat hepatitis C, or HIV/AIDS;

heart medication; or

medicine to prevent organ transplant rejection.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect amlodipine and atorvastatin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.