What is the Medication Norvasc?
High blood pressure, otherwise known as hypertension, results from your blood pushing on your blood vessels with too much force. It's estimated that 65 million people in the United States have high blood pressure. Angina is a symptom of your heart not receiving enough blood. The sensation is similar to squeezing pressure in your chest or breastbone area. The pain can resonate in your jaw, back, neck, arms and shoulders. Norvasc effectively treats both conditions.
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Indications
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Norvasc belongs to a family of medications known as calcium channel blockers. It effectively controls blood pressure for up to 24 hours and has been shown to effectively treat chest pain associated with angina. Norvasc (amlodipine besylate) works by relaxing and dilating your blood vessels, enabling an easier flow for your blood. Hundreds of studies have been performed to confirm the safety and efficacy of the medication. It is prescribed in 88 countries.
Contraindications
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Be sure to tell your doctor about your medical history and all medications that you take (including over the counter, herbal supplements and vitamins) to avoid potentially serious side effects. If you have a known allergy to amlodipine, you should not take Norvasc. Tell your doctor whether you have liver disease or congestive heart failure because your doctor will need to closely monitor you and possibly adjust the dose of Norvasc. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, you should talk to your doctor before beginning Norvasc. Similarly, if you are a nursing mother, you should talk to your doctor before using this medication because it might pass into your breast milk.
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Drug Interactions
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If you take Norvasc with beta-blocker medications such as Corgard, Blocadren, Tenormin, Inderal, Tandate, Normodyne or Zebeta, you should not suddenly stop taking the medication. Your doctor will likely need to slowly wean you from the medication to avoid serious heart complications. Other medications could also pose a risk so be sure to tell your doctor about everything you take.
Side Effects
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Common side effects include headache, dizziness, depression, drowsiness, insomnia, nervousness, nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain, changes in appetite, constipation, diarrhea, frequent urination, unusual dreams, warmth/redness of the skin, weight fluctuation, dry mouth, and increased thirst and muscle/joint pain. If you experience symptoms of an allergic reaction such as difficulty breathing, hives, swelling of your throat, lips or face or serious rash, seek emergency medical attention. Contact your doctor if you experience any serious side effects such as chest pain, sensation that you will faint, unusual swelling, unusual weakness, increased bruising, rapid heart beat, numbness, tingling or jaundice. These might signal a serious health condition and should be reported as soon as possible.
Understanding High Blood Pressure
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When reading your blood pressure levels, it's important to understand what they mean. The top number (systolic) measures your pressure during your heart beats. The bottom number (diastolic) measures your pressure between heart beats. A healthy reading is 120/80. High blood pressure is diagnosed when your reading is 140/90 or higher. Some causes of hypertension include lack of physical activity, obesity, too much salt, excessive alcohol use, stress, age and family history.
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