Home Drug Guide Amlodipine Benzoate

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Amlodipine Benzoate

Brand Names Katerzia

Classification

Therapeutic: Antihypertensive, Antianginal

Pharmacological: Calcium Channel Blocker

FDA Approved Indications

  • Hypertension
  • Chronic Stable Angina pectoris
  • Vasospastic Angina (Prinzmetal's or variant angina)

Mechanism of Action

Amlodipine inhibits calcium ion influx across cell membranes of vascular smooth muscle and cardiac muscle, producing vasodilation and consequent decrease in blood pressure and angina relief.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Initially 5 mg once daily. Dose may be increased to a maximum of 10 mg once daily, based on response.

Pediatric: Safety and efficacy not established in pediatric patients.

Geriatric: Start at lower end of dose; closely monitor for hypotension and adverse reactions.

Renal Impairment: Use with caution; no specific dosage recommendation but monitor closely.

Hepatic Impairment: Start with lower dose; monitor closely.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Well-absorbed orally with no significant first-pass metabolism.

Distribution: Widely distributed; protein binding approximately 93%.

Metabolism: Primarily hepatic via CYP3A4; active metabolites are not significant.

Excretion: Excreted mainly via urine and feces; approximately 60% in urine and 40% in feces.

Half Life: Long half-life, approximately 30-50 hours, allowing once-daily dosing.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to amlodipine or other dihydropyridines.
  • Severe aortic stenosis.

Precautions

  • Use cautiously in patients with hypotension, congestive heart failure, or severe hepatic impairment. Pregnancy category C; use only if clearly needed. Lactation: may pass into breast milk, weigh risks and benefits.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Edema (peripheral swelling) (Common)
  • Headache (Common)
  • Dizziness (Common)
  • Fatigue (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Hypotension (Rare)
  • Severe arrhythmias or conduction disturbances (Rare)
  • Allergic reactions (rash, angioedema) (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Simvastatin (risk of increased statin levels)
  • Beta-blockers (additive effect on blood pressure)
  • Grapefruit juice (may increase levels)

Drug-Food Interactions

  • Grapefruit juice

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor blood pressure and heart rate regularly. Assess for signs of edema, headache, and dizziness.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for hypotension.
  • Ineffective peripheral tissue perfusion.

Implementation: Administer once daily, with or without food. Educate patient on avoiding sudden position changes to prevent orthostatic hypotension. Monitor for signs of swelling or adverse reactions.

Evaluation: Effective control of blood pressure and angina symptoms without adverse effects.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Take medication exactly as prescribed.
  • Do not discontinue abruptly without consulting healthcare provider.
  • Report swelling, severe dizziness, or chest pain.
  • Limit grapefruit juice intake.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • None currently.

Genetic Factors: Variability in CYP3A4 activity may affect drug levels.

Lab Test Interference: May affect certain laboratory measurements of calcium.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Severe hypotension, tachycardia or bradycardia, dizziness, fainting.

Treatment: Supportive measures: monitor cardiac and respiratory status, administer intravenous fluids, vasopressors if needed, gastric lavage or activated charcoal may be considered.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature, 20-25°C (68-77°F). Keep container tightly closed.

Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.