How and when to take amlodipine

Take amlodipine exactly as your doctor tells you, and follow the directions on the label. If you're not sure, check with your doctor again or your pharmacist.

Dosage and strength

Amlodipine comes as 5mg and 10mg tablets. The liquid comes as 2 different strengths, one with 5mg amlodipine in 5ml and one with 10mg in 5ml.

The usual starting dose of amlodipine is 5mg once a day.

Changes to your dose

If the starting dose is not working well enough (for example, your blood pressure does not get any lower, or your angina is not controlled), your dose may need to be increased to 10mg.

To decide the correct dose for you in the longer term, your doctor will check your blood pressure to make sure it's not too high or too low. They'll also ask about any side effects you might be getting from the medicine.

Doses may be lower for children.

How to take it

You'll usually take amlodipine once a day. You can take it at any time of day, but try to make sure it's around the same time every day.

You can take amlodipine tablets and liquid with or without food.

Swallow amlodipine tablets whole and have a drink of water with both the tablets and the liquid. If it's easier, you can dissolve (disperse) the tablets in a glass of water, but you must drink it all straight away if you do this.

Do not take amlodipine with grapefruit juice. Having large amounts of grapefruit or grapefruit juice can increase how much amlodipine is in your body and make side effects worse. If you are affected, you may have to avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking amlodipine.

If you're taking amlodipine as a liquid, it will come with a plastic syringe or spoon to help you measure out the right dose. If you do not have one, ask your pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not measure the right amount of medicine.

How long to take it for

Usually, treatment with amlodipine is long term, even for the rest of your life.

Talk to your doctor if you want to stop taking amlodipine. Stopping may cause your blood pressure to rise, and this may increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.

If you're bothered by side effects, your doctor may be able to prescribe a different medicine for you.

If you forget to take it

If you forget to take a dose of amlodipine, take it as soon as you remember that day and then carry on as normal.

If you forget to take the dose for the whole day, skip the missed dose and take your dose the next day at the usual time.

Never take 2 doses at once to make up for a forgotten one.

If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.

If you take too much

If you take more than your prescribed dose of amlodipine, it can make you feel dizzy and sleepy.

The amount of amlodipine that can lead to an overdose varies from person to person.