This medication description is not meant for treatment prescription without the intervention of a specialist.

Common Uses

Norvasc is a calcium channel blocker. It works by relaxing (dilating) your blood vessels, lowering blood pressure, and decreasing heart rate, which lowers the workload on the heart. It also dilates coronary arteries increasing blood flow to the heart.

How to Take

The usual starting dose for adults is 5 milligrams taken once a day. The most you should take in a day is 10 milligrams. If your doctor is adding Norvasc to other high blood pressure medications, the dose is 2.5 milligrams once daily. The lower 2.5-milligram starting dose also applies if you have liver disease. The usual dose for children 6 to 17 years old is 2.5 to 5 milligrams once a day. Doses exceeding 5 milligrams have not been studied in children.

Warning and Precautions

Norvasc may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Norvasc with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.

Norvasc 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.

Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.

If you are taking Norvasc for angina, it will not relieve the pain of an acute attack if taken at the time of an acute attack. It prevents or reduces the number of angina attacks only if you take it on regular schedule.

When you begin using Norvasc, it may cause a headache, which usually lasts for a short time.

While you are using Norvasc, it is important to brush and floss your teeth carefully to reduce swelling and tenderness of your gums.

Although rare, Norvasc has been known to increase chest pain and increase the risk of heart attack, especially in patients with severe heart disease.

Lab tests, including blood pressure checks, may be performed while you use Norvasc. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.

Missed Dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

Contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include dizziness; fainting or lightheadedness, especially upon standing; very fast heart rate.

Storage

Store Norvasc between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Norvasc out of the reach of children and away from pets.

Possible Side Effects

Common side effects: dizziness; drowsiness; fatigue; flushing; headache; muscle cramps; nausea; stomach pain; weakness, severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); dark urine; difficulty breathing; fast or irregular heartbeat; pounding in the chest; swelling of feet or legs; tender, bleeding, or swollen gums; worsening chest pain; yellowing of the eyes or skin. Seek medical attention right away if any side effects occur.

More Information

The information given above is a summary. Your pharmacist can provide more information about Norvasc. Do not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not use this medicine for other health conditions. If using this medicine for an extended period of time, obtain refills before your supply runs out.