If you’re taking amlodipine but aren’t seeing results, you might feel anxious, especially if you don’t notice any changes right away.
You might worry that the medicine isn’t helping or wonder if you’re doing something wrong. This can make it hard to stay consistent with your treatment.
In this article, you will find out how amlodipine works, how long it takes to show results, and what to expect during your treatment.
🔑 Key Takeaways ➤ Amlodipine helps lower your blood pressure by relaxing your blood vessels, making it easier for blood to flow. It also reduces chest pain caused by angina. ➤ Amlodipine doesn’t change calcium levels in your blood but blocks calcium from entering your blood vessels and heart cells. This reduces muscle contraction and keeps your heart from overworking. ➤ Amlodipine starts working immediately, but it can take 6–8 weeks to show full effects. Keep taking it even if you don’t feel different. ➤ Amlodipine works slowly, so it’s not used to lower blood pressure quickly. For emergencies, medicines like nifedipine XL or clonidine are better options. ➤ The dose starts low and is adjusted every 1–2 weeks. Regular doses keep your blood pressure steady throughout the day. ➤ You can take amlodipine with or without food, but taking it at the same time daily helps maintain steady levels. ➤ Side effects like swelling in your feet, dizziness, or fatigue might happen. Talk to your doctor if these occur, as your dose may need to change. ➤ Don’t stop taking amlodipine suddenly. Missing doses or stopping it can cause your blood pressure to rise quickly. |
Amlodipine Mechanism of Action
Amlodipine is a medicine that helps your heart and blood vessels work better. Amlodipine blocks calcium from entering your blood vessels and heart cells. Calcium makes muscles contract. Amlodipine helps your blood vessels relax by stopping calcium. This makes it easier for blood to flow, lowering your blood pressure.
Amlodipine sticks to two different spots in your cells. This helps it target your blood vessels more than your heart. So, your blood pressure goes down without slowing your heart too much.
What happens inside your body? Amlodipine doesn’t change the calcium levels in your blood but rather blocks the effects of calcium on constricting blood vessels. It stays effective for a whole day with one dose. Your blood pressure stays lower all day without significant changes in your heart rate.
Amlodipine is good for people with high blood pressure and heart disease. Its long-lasting effects keep your blood pressure steady and gentle on your body over time.
🤔 Did You Know? If you have angina, amlodipine can help, too. A study on amlodipine found that it effectively treats stable angina caused by exercise. Patients taking a daily dose of amlodipine showed a significant increase in how long they could exercise and how much work they could do compared to those on a placebo. The medication also reduced the number of angina episodes and the need for glyceryl trinitrate, a common rescue treatment. At doses of 5-10 mg daily, amlodipine worked as well as other drugs like diltiazem and nadolol. Importantly, it improved symptoms without weakening heart function, and its side effects were similar to those seen with a placebo. |
How Long Does It Take For Amlodipine To Work?
Source: Online Doctor
When you start taking amlodipine, it begins to work right away. However, it might take a few weeks to feel the full effects. If you take amlodipine for high blood pressure, you might not notice any changes. Does that mean the medicine isn’t working? Not at all. It’s important to keep taking it as your blood pressure is being managed even if you don’t feel different.
Using Amlodipine for High Blood Pressure
Amlodipine takes more than 8 hours to start working because it takes time to be absorbed by your body. This means it isn’t the best choice if you need to lower your blood pressure quickly. Other medicines like hydralazine, clonidine, and nifedipine XL work faster, usually within 1 to 2 hours.
One study looked at 11 patients with mild to moderate high blood pressure. They took amlodipine once a day, at doses of 5 to 10 mg. After six weeks of treatment, the patients experienced a significant reduction in their blood pressure:
- During the daytime, their blood pressure decreased from an average of 165/103 mm Hg to 147/89 mm Hg.
- At nighttime, it dropped from 137/79 mm Hg to 121/69 mm Hg.
These results show that taking amlodipine regularly can effectively lower your blood pressure within six weeks.
📚 Related Study A study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology examined how amlodipine behaves in the body. Intravenous administration of a single 10 mg dose had a plasma half-life of 34 hours and a clearance rate of 7 ml/min/kg. Oral administration of the same dose showed a systemic availability of 64% and a plasma half-life of 36 hours. With repeated oral doses of 15 mg once daily for 14 days, the half-life extended to 45 hours, and steady-state plasma concentrations were reached after seven doses, resulting in an approximately threefold accumulation of the drug in the blood. The study also found that amlodipine didn’t significantly change heart rate. Most patients tolerated the medication well. Only one person developed ankle swelling, which might have required stopping the medicine if the study hadn’t already ended. |
Amlodipine in the Hospital vs. Outpatient Settings
In the hospital, amlodipine is not the first line agent for lowering blood pressure quickly. This is because it has a slow onset of action. For urgent cases where rapid blood pressure control is critical, doctors often use faster-acting medications.
However, amlodipine shines in outpatient settings. Its effects last at least 24 hours, and studies show they can extend up to 72 hours after stopping regular use. This long duration of action makes it ideal for managing blood pressure or angina over time. It’s also convenient because you don’t need frequent blood tests, and most people tolerate it well.
Plus, as a generic medication, it’s accessible and affordable, benefiting many patients managing chronic conditions outside the hospital.
Alternative Fast-Acting Medicines
If you need to lower your blood pressure quickly, other medicines are preferred. It is uncommon to require rapid blood pressure lowering, and more common to control your blood pressure slowly over time. But, in urgent or emergent situations, some helpful medications include:
Drug | Dose | Onset | Peak | Duration |
Nifedipine XL | 60 mg PO daily (max 180 mg/day) | 2 hrs | 6 hrs | 24 hrs |
Clonidine | 0.1-0.2 mg PO every 12-8 hours (max 0.8 mg/day) | 0.5-1 hrs | 3-5 hrs | 6-10 hrs |
Hydralazine | 25 mg PO every 8 hours (max 100 mg/day) | 0.5 hrs | 1-2 hrs | 8 hrs |
Amlodipine Dosage for Hypertension
Population | Initial Dose | Maintenance Dose | Maximum Dose |
Adults | 5 mg once daily | 5–10 mg once daily | 10 mg/day |
Small/Frail Adults | 2.5 mg once daily | 2.5–10 mg once daily | 10 mg/day |
Pediatric (6–17 years) | 2.5 mg once daily | 2.5–5 mg once daily | 5 mg/day |
Geriatric | 2.5 mg once daily | 2.5–10 mg once daily | 10 mg/day |
Hepatic Impairment | 2.5 mg once daily | Adjust slowly based on response | 10 mg/day |
Renal Impairment | No adjustment required | Based on general recommendations | 10 mg/day |
Managing high blood pressure with amlodipine starts by finding the lowest dose that works without causing side effects. You usually adjust the dose every one to two weeks. This waiting time lets your body respond safely. If you need to lower your blood pressure quickly, the dose can be increased faster, but keep a close watch for side effects like dizziness, low blood pressure, or swelling.
Amlodipine is easy to use because it doesn’t need to be taken with food. You can take it with or without meals, fitting it easily into your daily routine. Taking it at the same time each day helps keep your blood levels steady, which is important for controlling blood pressure. Don’t stop taking amlodipine suddenly, as this can cause your blood pressure to rise again.
Monitoring Your Health and Making Adjustments
Regular monitoring is key when using amlodipine. Check your blood pressure regularly, either at the clinic or at home, to make sure the medication is working. Pay attention to any side effects like dizziness, fatigue, or swelling, and let your healthcare provider know. Swelling in your feet and ankles might happen and could mean you need to lower the dose or add another medication like an ACE inhibitor or ARB.
Some people need special adjustments. If you have liver problems, start with a lower dose of 2.5 mg daily and increase it slowly to reduce the risk of side effects. Older adults often need a lower starting dose too because their liver and kidneys don’t process the drug as efficiently. This helps minimize dizziness and low blood pressure in elderly patients.
⚠️ Important Warnings to Remember If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it’s almost time for your next dose. Never take two doses at once. Amlodipine can interact with other medications, such as CYP3A inhibitors like clarithromycin, which can raise drug levels and increase side effects. You might feel drowsy or dizzy, especially when starting the medication or changing the dose. Be cautious when driving or operating machinery until you know how amlodipine affects you. |
Wrap Up
Amlodipine helps lower blood pressure and manage angina by relaxing blood vessels. It starts working immediately but may take 6–8 weeks for full effects.
Don’t worry if you don’t feel different; the medicine is still effective. You can take it with or without food, but consistency matters—take it at the same time daily. Watch for side effects like dizziness, fatigue, or swelling, and report them to your doctor.
Regular monitoring ensures the right dose for you. Avoid stopping amlodipine suddenly, as it can cause a spike in blood pressure. If you miss a dose, don’t double up. For emergencies, quicker-acting medicines like nifedipine XL or clonidine are better. Always follow your doctor’s advice for safe and effective treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I stop taking amlodipine if my blood pressure improves?
No. Keep taking it as prescribed. It is likely your blood pressure will return to an elevated level with stopping the medication. Any dose adjustments should be discussed with your provider.
What are common side effects?
You might experience dizziness, swelling in your ankles, or flushing. Talk to your doctor if these bother you.
Can I drink alcohol while taking amlodipine?
It’s best to limit alcohol as it can increase the effects of amlodipine, lowering your blood pressure to levels that may cause dizziness or headaches.
Do I need to avoid certain foods?
Yes. Avoid large amounts of grapefruit or grapefruit juice, as they can cause medication levels to remain elevated and potentially worsen side effects.
What should I do if I miss a dose?
Take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one. Don’t double up.
Can I take amlodipine with other medicines?
It’s always best to discuss this with a medical provider as there is potential for a variety of medications to interact with amlodipine. For example, cholesterol lowering medications like simvastatin may lead to increased muscle pain, while use of ibuprofen may limit the effects of amlodipine. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting a new medication or supplement.
Is amlodipine safe during pregnancy?
Amlodipine can be used in pregnancy, although it’s best to discuss with your doctor. They will decide if the benefits outweigh any risks during pregnancy.
Can lifestyle changes help while on amlodipine?
Yes. Eating a healthy diet, exercising, and managing stress can improve your heart health alongside the medication.
Sources
- Drugs.com. (2024, May 6). How long does it take for amlodipine to work? Retrieved from https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/long-amlodipine-work-3567985/
- Raftery, E. B., Heber, M. E., Brigden, G., & Al-Khawaja, I. (1991). 24-hour blood pressure control with the once-daily calcium antagonist amlodipine. Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, 17(Suppl 1), S8–S12. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005344-199117001-00004
- Faulkner, J. K., McGibney, D., Chasseaud, L. F., Perry, J. L., & Taylor, I. W. (1986). The pharmacokinetics of amlodipine in healthy volunteers after single intravenous and oral doses and after 14 repeated oral doses given once daily. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 22(1), 21–25. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2125.1986.tb02874.x
- NHS. (2022, February 18). Common questions about amlodipine. Retrieved from https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/amlodipine/common-questions-about-amlodipine/
- Amneal Pharmaceuticals NY LLC. (2022). Amlodipine oral suspension: Highlights of prescribing information. Retrieved from https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=8394e577-3b64-4655-86b8-b757126672c9