Pronunciation: am-LOE-di-peen/a-TOR-va-STAT-in
Generic Name: Amlodipine/Atorvastatin
Brand Name: Caduet
Amlodipine/Atorvastatin is used for:
Treating patients who have high cholesterol and high blood pressure or angina (chest pain). It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Amlodipine/Atorvastatin is a calcium channel blocker (amlodipine) and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (atorvastatin) combination. Amlodipine works by widening blood vessels to reduce chest pain and high blood pressure. Atorvastatin works to decrease your risk of heart attack, stroke, and chest pain by lowering "bad" cholesterol (eg, triglycerides) and raising "good" cholesterol (eg, high-density lipoprotein [HDL]) in the blood.
Do NOT use Amlodipine/Atorvastatin if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Amlodipine/Atorvastatin
- you have active liver disease or persistent abnormal liver tests of unknown cause
- you are taking itraconazole, mibefradil, or an HIV protease inhibitor (eg, indinavir)
- you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Amlodipine/Atorvastatin:
Some medical conditions may interact with Amlodipine/Atorvastatin. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have low blood pressure; a severe infection; a blood infection; or a severe endocrine, metabolic, or electrolyte disorder; or if you are very ill
- if you have a history of heart problems (eg, heart failure, coronary artery disease), blood vessel problems, liver problems, diabetes, thyroid problems, kidney problems, muscle problems, a stroke, or uncontrolled seizures
- if you have recently had major surgery or a serious injury
- if you have a history of alcohol abuse or drink 3 or more alcohol-containing drinks per day
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Amlodipine/Atorvastatin. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Amiodarone, azole antifungals (eg, fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole), colchicine, cyclosporine, daptomycin, diltiazem, dronedarone, fibrates (eg, clofibrate, gemfibrozil), HIV protease inhibitors (eg, indinavir , ritonavir), HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (eg, simvastatin), imatinib, ketolide antibiotics (eg, telithromycin), macrolide antibiotics (eg, clarithromycin, erythromycin), mibefradil, nefazodone, niacin, nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (eg, delavirdine), quinine, streptogramins (eg, dalfopristin), or verapamil because the risk of side effects, such as severe muscle problems, may be increased
- Sildenafil because the risk of low blood pressure may be increased
- Vasopressin receptor antagonists (eg, conivaptan) because they may increase the risk of Amlodipine/Atorvastatin's side effects
- Bosentan, carbamazepine, efavirenz, rifamycins (eg, rifampin), or St. John's wort because they may decrease Amlodipine/Atorvastatin's effectiveness
- Cimetidine, digoxin, hormonal contraceptives (eg, birth control pills), macrolide immunosuppressants (eg, tacrolimus), or spironolactone because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Amlodipine/Atorvastatin
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Amlodipine/Atorvastatin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Amlodipine/Atorvastatin:
Use Amlodipine/Atorvastatin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Amlodipine/Atorvastatin by mouth with or without food.
- Take Amlodipine/Atorvastatin at least 1 hour before or 4 to 6 hours after taking cholestyramine.
- Take Amlodipine/Atorvastatin on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it.
- Taking Amlodipine/Atorvastatin at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.
- Eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice may increase the amount of Amlodipine/Atorvastatin in your blood, which may increase your risk of serious side effects. The risk may be greater with large amounts of grapefruit or grapefruit juice. Avoid large amounts of grapefruit juice (more than 1 quart daily). Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about including grapefruit or grapefruit juice in your diet while you are taking Amlodipine/Atorvastatin.
- Continue to use Amlodipine/Atorvastatin even if you feel well. Most people with high blood pressure or high cholesterol do not feel sick. Do not miss any doses.
- If you miss a dose of Amlodipine/Atorvastatin, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once. If more than one dose is missed, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Amlodipine/Atorvastatin.
Important safety information:
- Amlodipine/Atorvastatin may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Amlodipine/Atorvastatin with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Amlodipine/Atorvastatin may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
- Drinking alcohol daily or in large amounts may increase the risk of liver problems with Amlodipine/Atorvastatin. Talk to your doctor before you take Amlodipine/Atorvastatin if you drink more than 3 drinks with alcohol per day.
- Follow the diet, exercise, and weight reduction program given to you by your health care provider.
- Proper dental care is important while you are taking Amlodipine/Atorvastatin. Brush and floss your teeth and visit the dentist regularly.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Amlodipine/Atorvastatin before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- It may take several weeks for Amlodipine/Atorvastatin to work. Do not stop using Amlodipine/Atorvastatin without checking with your doctor.
- Check with your doctor before using any cough-and-cold products or diet aids because they may contain ingredients that could increase your heart rate or blood pressure.
- If you are taking Amlodipine/Atorvastatin for chest pain, it will not relieve the pain of a sudden attack if taken at the time of the attack. It prevents or reduces the number of chest pain attacks only if you take it on a regular schedule.
- Although rare, Amlodipine/Atorvastatin has been known to increase chest pain and increase the risk of heart attack, especially in patients with severe heart disease.
- Have your blood pressure checked regularly while taking Amlodipine/Atorvastatin.
- Amlodipine/Atorvastatin may infrequently cause muscle damage. The risk may be greater when you first begin to take Amlodipine/Atorvastatin, whenever your dose is increased, or if you have a history of kidney problems. The risk is also greater when taken with certain other medicines. Untreated, this can lead to a very serious condition known as rhabdomyolysis and kidney damage. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if they occur with fever or unusual tiredness.
- It is recommended that women of childbearing age use effective birth control while taking Amlodipine/Atorvastatin because it may cause fetal harm.
- Lab tests, including liver function, kidney function, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and other blood tests, may be performed while you use Amlodipine/Atorvastatin. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Amlodipine/Atorvastatin with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially muscle damage.
- Amlodipine/Atorvastatin should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Do not use Amlodipine/Atorvastatin if you are pregnant. It may cause harm to the fetus. Avoid becoming pregnant while you are taking it. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. One of these medicines is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Amlodipine/Atorvastatin.
Possible side effects of Amlodipine/Atorvastatin:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; flushing; gas; headache; nausea; stomach upset or pain; tiredness; weakness.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); change in the amount of urine produced or increased urination; changes in vision; dark urine; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; increased frequency, duration, or severity of chest pain; joint pain; muscle aches, pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially with fever, unusual tiredness, or general body discomfort; numbness of an arm or leg; pale stools; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe or persistent stomach pain; sharp or crushing chest, jaw, or left arm pain; sudden leg pain; sudden, severe or persistent headache, vomiting, or dizziness; sudden shortness of breath; swelling of your feet or legs; tender, bleeding, or swollen gums; unexplained weight gain; worsening angina pain (eg, longer, more often, more severe); yellowing of eyes or skin.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Amlodipine/Atorvastatin side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include dizziness; fainting; fast heartbeat.
Proper storage of Amlodipine/Atorvastatin:
Store Amlodipine/Atorvastatin at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) in a tightly closed container. Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Amlodipine/Atorvastatin out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Amlodipine/Atorvastatin, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Amlodipine/Atorvastatin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Amlodipine/Atorvastatin. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Amlodipine/Atorvastatin resources
- Amlodipine/Atorvastatin Side Effects (in more detail)
- Amlodipine/Atorvastatin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Amlodipine/Atorvastatin Drug Interactions
- Amlodipine/Atorvastatin Support Group
- 3 Reviews for Amlodipine/Atorvastatin - Add your own review/rating
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