About Amlong 5 Tablet
Amlong 5 Tablet contains Amlodipine 5 mg. Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker used to treat high blood pressure and to prevent chest pain (angina). Lowering blood pressure helps reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. It is taken once a day, with or without food.
Uses of Amlong 5 Tablet
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Chest pain due to angina
Benefits
In high blood pressure
It lowers blood pressure, which reduces the strain on the heart and lowers the risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney problems. Most people with high blood pressure feel no symptoms, so keep taking it even when you feel well.
In angina
It helps prevent chest pain by improving blood flow to the heart muscle. It does not stop a chest pain attack that has already started.
Side effects
Ankle swelling is common and often mild. Talk to your doctor if it bothers you; do not stop the medicine on your own.
Common
- Swelling of the ankles or feet
- Flushing
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Tiredness
- Palpitations
Get medical help if you notice
- Chest pain that is new or worse, especially when starting the medicine — seek emergency care
- Fainting or severe dizziness — contact your doctor
- Yellow eyes or skin — contact your doctor
- Allergic reaction: rash, swelling of the face or lips, difficulty breathing — seek emergency care
How to use
Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed, once a day at about the same time. Swallow the tablet with water; it can be taken with or without food.
How it works
It relaxes and widens blood vessels by blocking calcium from entering the muscle cells in their walls. This lowers blood pressure and makes it easier for the heart to pump.
Safety advice
Alcohol Caution
Alcohol can add to the blood-pressure-lowering effect and make you dizzy. Limit alcohol.
Pregnancy Consult your doctor
Use only if your doctor advises it. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
Breastfeeding Consult your doctor
It passes into breast milk. Ask your doctor before using it while breastfeeding.
Driving Caution
It can cause dizziness or tiredness, especially at the start. Do not drive if you feel affected.
Kidney Safe
No dose change is usually needed in kidney disease.
Liver Caution
It is cleared more slowly in liver disease. Your doctor may start with a lower dose.
If you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, take it when you remember the same day. If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Do not take two doses together.
Quick tips
- Keep taking it even if you feel well; high blood pressure often has no symptoms.
- Check your blood pressure regularly as your doctor advises.
- Do not stop it suddenly without talking to your doctor.
- Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice, which can raise its levels.
Substitutes
Same salts in the same strength from other makers. Only switch brands on your doctor's or pharmacist's advice; our pharmacist checks every order against the prescription.
Same salts, other strengths or forms
Fact box
- Chemical class
- Dihydropyridine
- Therapeutic class
- Cardiovascular / antihypertensive
- Action class
- Calcium channel blocker
- Habit forming
- No
- Prescription
- Required
Interactions with other medicines
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin and herbal product you take.
| Medicine | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Simvastatin | Simvastatin levels may rise; your doctor may limit the simvastatin dose |
| Clarithromycin, itraconazole, ritonavir and similar medicines | Can raise amlodipine levels and cause low blood pressure |
| Ciclosporin and tacrolimus | Their blood levels may rise |
| Other blood pressure medicines | Can add to the lowering of blood pressure |
This page is general information to help you understand your medicine. It is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop or change a medicine on your own.
Written by the Asthra Health Care team from the approved prescribing information (Amlodipine prescribing information (CDSCO-approved labelling); EMC SmPC: amlodipine; NICE BNF: amlodipine). Pharmacist review pending.