am-LOE-di-peen BES-i-late, a-tor-va-STAT-in KAL-see-um
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Caduet
Available Dosage Forms:
- Tablet
Therapeutic Class: Calcium Channel Blocker/HMG-COA Reductase Inhibitor Combination
Pharmacologic Class: Amlodipine
Chemical Class: Amlodipine
Uses For amlodipine and atorvastatin
Amlodipine and Atorvastatin is a combination of a calcium channel blocker and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor. Amlodipine is used to treat angina (chest pain) or high blood pressure. Atorvastatin is used to lower cholesterol and triglyceride (fat-like substances) levels in the blood. It also helps prevent chest pain, stroke, heart attack, or certain heart and blood vessel diseases in people who are at high risk for these diseases .
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. High blood pressure may also increase the risk of heart attacks. These problems may be less likely to occur if blood pressure is controlled.
The exact way in which amlodipine and atorvastatin works is not known. Amlodipine is a type of medicine known as a calcium channel blocker. Calcium channel blocking agents affect the movement of calcium into the cells of the heart and blood vessels. Atorvastatin is used to lower cholesterol and triglyceride (fat-like substances) levels in the blood. The action of both medicines together is to relax blood vessels, lower blood pressure, and decrease the amount of cholesterol in the blood.
Amlodipine and atorvastatin is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Importance of Diet
Before prescribing the atorvastatin and amlodipine combination for your condition, your doctor will probably try to control your condition by prescribing a personal diet for you. Such a diet may be low in fats, sugars, and/or cholesterol. Many people are able to control their condition by carefully following their doctor's orders for proper diet and exercise. Medicine is prescribed only when additional help is needed and is effective only when a schedule of diet and exercise is properly followed.
Also, amlodipine and atorvastatin is less effective if you are greatly overweight. It may be very important for you to go on a weight-reducing diet. However, check with your doctor before going on any diet.
Before Using amlodipine and atorvastatin
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For amlodipine and atorvastatin, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to amlodipine and atorvastatin or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of amlodipine and atorvastatin combination in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established .
Atorvastatin alone is safe to use in boys and some girls 10 to 17 years of age for treating certain types of high cholesterol.
Adolescent girls taking atorvastatin should be counseled on appropriate contraceptive methods.
Geriatric
Although appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of amlodipine and atorvastatin combination have not been performed in the geriatric population, geriatrics-specific problems are not expected to limit the usefulness of amlodipine and atorvastatin combination in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related liver, kidney, or heart problems, which may require caution in patients receiving amlodipine and atorvastatin combination .
Pregnancy
| Pregnancy Category | Explanation | |
|---|---|---|
| All Trimesters | X | Studies in animals or pregnant women have demonstrated positive evidence of fetal abnormalities. This drug should not be used in women who are or may become pregnant because the risk clearly outweighs any possible benefit. |
Breast Feeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with Medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking amlodipine and atorvastatin, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using amlodipine and atorvastatin with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Telaprevir
Using amlodipine and atorvastatin with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Amiodarone
- Atazanavir
- Bezafibrate
- Ciprofibrate
- Clarithromycin
- Clofibrate
- Conivaptan
- Dalfopristin
- Danazol
- Dantrolene
- Daptomycin
- Diltiazem
- Droperidol
- Erythromycin
- Fenofibrate
- Fluconazole
- Fusidic Acid
- Gemfibrozil
- Itraconazole
- Ketoconazole
- Mibefradil
- Nefazodone
- Niacin
- Posaconazole
- Quinupristin
- Simvastatin
- Telaprevir
- Telithromycin
- Tipranavir
- Troleandomycin
- Verapamil
Using amlodipine and atorvastatin with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Acebutolol
- Alprenolol
- Amprenavir
- Atenolol
- Azithromycin
- Betaxolol
- Bevantolol
- Bexarotene
- Bisoprolol
- Black Cohosh
- Bosentan
- Bucindolol
- Carteolol
- Carvedilol
- Celiprolol
- Clopidogrel
- Colchicine
- Cyclosporine
- Dalfopristin
- Darunavir
- Digoxin
- Dilevalol
- Diltiazem
- Efavirenz
- Eltrombopag
- Esmolol
- Etravirine
- Fluconazole
- Fosamprenavir
- Fosphenytoin
- Imatinib
- Indinavir
- Itraconazole
- Ketoconazole
- Labetalol
- Levobunolol
- Lopinavir
- Mepindolol
- Metipranolol
- Metoprolol
- Nadolol
- Nebivolol
- Nelfinavir
- Oat Bran
- Oxprenolol
- Pectin
- Penbutolol
- Phenytoin
- Pindolol
- Pioglitazone
- Propranolol
- Quinine
- Quinupristin
- Rifampin
- Rifapentine
- Ritonavir
- Saquinavir
- Sotalol
- St John's Wort
- Talinolol
- Tertatolol
- Timolol
- Voriconazole
Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using amlodipine and atorvastatin with any of the following may cause an increased risk of certain side effects but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use amlodipine and atorvastatin, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.
- Grapefruit Juice
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of amlodipine and atorvastatin. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Alcohol abuse (or history of) or
- Liver disease (or history of) or
- Liver enzymes, persistently high levels—Use of amlodipine and atorvastatin may make liver problems worse.
- Aortic stenosis, severe (abnormally narrow aorta)—Use of amlodipine and atorvastatin may increase the chance of low blood pressure.
- Congestive heart failure—There is a small chance that amlodipine may make this condition worse.
- Convulsions (seizures), not well-controlled, or
- Electrolyte or metabolic enzyme deficiencies or disorders or
- Infection, severe or
- Low blood pressure or
- Major surgery or trauma, recent or
- Myopathy (a disorder of muscle tissue or muscles)—Patients with these conditions may be at risk of developing muscle problems (causing the release of muscle pigment into the urine) that may lead to kidney failure.
- Coronary artery disease, severe, obstructive—Use of amlodipine and atorvastatin may result in other heart problems.
- Stroke, recent or
- Transient ischemic attack (TIA), recent—amlodipine and atorvastatin may increase chance of having hemorrhagic stroke (stroke caused by bleeding in the brain) .
Proper Use of amlodipine and atorvastatin
Use amlodipine and atorvastatin only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more or less of it, and do not use it more often or for a longer time than your doctor ordered. Also, amlodipine and atorvastatin works best if there is a constant amount in the blood. To help keep this amount constant, do not miss any doses and take the medicine at the same time each day.
Before prescribing the atorvastatin and amlodipine combination for your condition, your doctor will probably try to control your condition by prescribing a personal diet for you. Follow carefully the special diet your doctor gave you. Such a diet may be low in fats, sugars, and/or cholesterol. Many people are able to control their condition by carefully following their doctor's orders for proper diet and exercise. Medicine is prescribed only when additional help is needed and is effective only when a schedule of diet and exercise is properly followed.
Also, amlodipine and atorvastatin is less effective if you are greatly overweight. It may be very important for you to go on a weight-reducing diet. However, check with your doctor before going on any diet.
Dosing
The dose of amlodipine and atorvastatin will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of amlodipine and atorvastatin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
- Adults—1 tablet a day, tablet strength is determined by your doctor.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of amlodipine and atorvastatin, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Precautions While Using amlodipine and atorvastatin
It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to make sure the medicine is working properly and to change the dosage if needed.
Check with your doctor immediately if you think that you may be pregnant. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors may cause birth defects or other problems in the baby if taken during pregnancy.
Before having any kind of surgery (including dental surgery) or emergency treatment, tell the medical doctor or dentist in charge that you are taking amlodipine and atorvastatin.
Do not take over-the-counter (OTC) niacin preparations without consulting your doctor. Niacin may increase atorvastatin's adverse effects on muscle, which can lead to serious kidney problems.
Do not use excessive amounts of alcohol while taking atorvastatin because it can worsen the adverse effects of amlodipine and atorvastatin on the liver.
Check with your doctor immediately if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if it is accompanied by unusual tiredness or fever, because the medicine's adverse effects on muscle can lead to serious kidney problems.
Checking with physician before discontinuing medication because a gradual reduction in dose may be necessary.
amlodipine and atorvastatin Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common-Atorvastatin
- Cough
- difficulty swallowing
- dizziness
- fast heartbeat
- hives
- itching
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- shortness of breath
- skin rash
- tightness in chest
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- wheezing
- Chest pain or discomfort
- dilated neck veins
- extra heartbeats
- extreme fatigue
- irregular breathing
- irregular heartbeat
- pulse irregularity
- shortness of breath
- swelling of face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
- weight gain
- Blistering, peeling, loosening of skin
- chills
- dark-colored urine
- diarrhea
- fever
- itching
- joint or muscle pain
- muscle cramps or spasms
- muscle pain or stiffness
- red irritated eyes
- red skin lesions, often with a purple center
- sore throat
- sores, ulcers, or white spots in mouth or on lips
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
- Blurred vision
- confusion
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly
- flushing
- sweating
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common-Amlodipine
- Headache
- Body aches or pain
- congestion
- difficulty in moving
- dryness or soreness of throat
- fever or chills
- hoarseness
- lower back or side pain
- muscle pain or stiffness
- pain in joints
- pain or tenderness around eyes and cheekbones
- painful or difficult urination
- runny nose
- stuffy nose
- tender, swollen glands in neck
- voice changes
- Feeling of warmth
- nausea
- redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper chest
- sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
- stomach pain
- Accidental injury
- acid or sour stomach
- belching
- bloated full feeling
- diarrhea
- difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
- excess air or gas in stomach or intestines
- general feeling of discomfort or illness
- heartburn
- indigestion
- lack or loss of strength
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- passing gas
- rash
- shivering
- stomach discomfort upset or pain
- sweating
- trouble sleeping
- vomiting
- Anxiety
- bad unusual or unpleasant (after) taste
- blistering, crusting, irritation, itching, or reddening of skin
- burning feeling in chest or stomach
- burning while urinating
- change in color of skin
- change in near or distance vision
- change in taste
- cold and clammy skin
- cracked, dry, scaly skin
- difficult or painful urination
- difficulty in focusing eyes
- dry mouth
- dryness of eyes
- excessive muscle tone
- frequent urination
- hair loss, thinning of hair
- hives or welts
- hyperventilation
- increased appetite
- increased volume of pale, dilute urine
- irritability
- lack of feeling or emotion
- loose stools
- loss of memory
- muscle tension or tightness
- muscle weakness
- nervousness
- problems with memory
- restlessness
- severe and throbbing headache
- shakiness and unsteady walk
- sneezing
- tenderness in stomach area
- transient, mild, pleasant aromatic odor
- trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
- trouble sleeping
- twitching
- uncaring
- unsteadiness
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: amlodipine and atorvastatin side effects (in more detail)
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More amlodipine and atorvastatin resources
- Amlodipine and atorvastatin Side Effects (in more detail)
- Amlodipine and atorvastatin Dosage
- Amlodipine and atorvastatin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Amlodipine and atorvastatin Drug Interactions
- Amlodipine and atorvastatin Support Group
- 3 Reviews for Amlodipine and atorvastatin - Add your own review/rating
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