Blood pressure medication prescribed by your doctor can help you manage your health, but all drugs have potential downsides and risks you should know before you begin taking them.
Norvasc is the branded name of the generic drug called amlodipine. This drug and others in its class are called calcium channel blockers. They work by relaxing and widening blood vessels to improve blood flow.
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Norvasc is used to treat both high blood pressure and angina (chest pain) associated with heart disease.
The Mayo Clinic advises patients to take Norvasc exactly as directed every day. Once you start taking it, you should not suddenly discontinue it or hypertension and angina can return, sometimes with greater severity than before. Be careful not to overdo physical exercise after this blood pressure medication reduces chest pain that would normally be a signal to slow down or take a break.
Especially at the beginning stages of treatment, Norvasc can cause headaches that last a short period of time after taking the daily dose, but this effect typically passes with time.
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Norvasc has a substantial list of potential side effects to watch for.
WebMD advises patients to get up from a sitting or lying down position slowly because of dizziness that sometimes occurs with blood pressure medication.
According to the Mayo clinic, the most common side effects of Norvasc are:
• Swelling in the ankles and feet
• Difficulty breathing
• Dizziness
• Pounding or very fast heartbeat
• Flushing or redness in the face, chest, arms, and neck
• Feeling of warmth
• Shortness of breath
• Tight feeling in the chest
• Wheezing
In addition to these side effects, there are many other far less common side effects that may warrant medical attention or discontinuation of blood pressure medication. In order to understand all of these, it is helpful to review the Norvasc package insert thoroughly and discuss other drugs you are taking with your doctor.
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