Amlodipine/Atorvastatin (By mouth)
am-LOE-di-peen BES-i-late, a-tor-va-STAT-in KAL-see-um
Treats high blood pressure and angina (chest pain), and lowers high cholesterol levels. Helps prevent chest pain, stroke, heart attack, or heart and blood vessel diseases. This medicine contains a calcium channel blocker (CCB) and a statin.
Drug classes
Calcium Channel Blocker/HMG-COA Reductase Inhibitor Combination (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Amlodipine and atorvastatin is a combination of a calcium channel blocker and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin). Amlodipine is used alone or together with other medicines to treat angina (chest pain) or high blood pressure. High blood pressure adds to the workload of the heart and arteries. If it continues for a long time, the heart and arteries may not function properly. This can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, resulting in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. Maintaining a lower blood pressure can reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
Atorvastatin is used together with a proper diet to lower cholesterol and triglyceride (fats) levels in the blood. This medicine may help prevent medical problems (e.g., chest pain, heart attack, or stroke) that are caused by fats clogging the blood vessels. It may also be used to prevent certain types of heart and blood vessel problems in patients with risk factors for heart problems.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Tablet
Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
Take this medicine at the same time each day.
Swallow the tablet whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it.
Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Missed dose: Take it as soon as you can. If more than 12 hours have passed since you missed your dose, skip the missed dose and take your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Some foods and medicines can affect how amlodipine/atorvastatin works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
Birth control pills Boceprevir, colchicine, cyclosporine, digoxin, diltiazem, fenofibrate, gemfibrozil, niacin (vitamin B3), rifampin, spironolactone, tacrolimus, telaprevir Medicine to treat an infection (such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole) Medicine to treat HIV/AIDS (such as darunavir, efavirenz, fosamprenavir, lopinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, tipranavir)Tell your doctor if you regularly drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit.
When Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to amlodipine or atorvastatin, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Warnings
It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, heart or blood vessel disease, heart valve problems, thyroid problems, or a history of stroke.
This medicine may cause the following problems:
Muscle damage, which can lead to kidney problems Liver problems Worsening of angina, increased risk of heart attack or strokeThis medicine could lower your blood pressure too much, especially when you first use it or if you are dehydrated. Stand or sit up slowly if you feel lightheaded or dizzy.
Do not stop taking this medicine without asking your doctor, even if you feel well. This medicine will not cure high blood pressure, but it will help keep it in a normal range. You may need to take blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.
Tell your doctor if you usually have more than 2 drinks of alcohol per day.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash
Change in how much or how often you urinate, painful urination
Chest pain that may spread, trouble breathing, nausea, unusual sweating, fainting
Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
Muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness
Rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
Unexplained fever, unusual tiredness
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Diarrhea, upset stomach
Joint pain
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Caduet
There may be other brand names for this medicine.