What is amlodipine and atorvastatin?
Atorvastatin is in a group of drugs called HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, or "statins."
Atorvastatin blocks the production of cholesterol (a type of fat) in the body.
Amlodipine is in a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers. Amlodipine relaxes
the blood vessels, improving blood flow and making it easier for the heart to pump.
The combination of amlodipine and atorvastatin is used to treat high blood pressure
(hypertension) or chest pain (angina) that occurs with high cholesterol or triglyceride levels.
Amlodipine and atorvastatin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this
medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking amlodipine and atorvastatin?
Do not take this medication if you are allergic to amlodipine (Norvasc) or
atorvastatin (Lipitor), if you have liver disease, or if you are pregnant.
Before taking amlodipine and atorvastatin, tell your doctor if you have:
-
liver problems;
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heart disease or congestive heart failure;
-
a serious illness or infection; or
-
if you take other heart or blood pressure medications.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely take this medication.
FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can cause birth defects.
Do not
use amlodipine and atorvastatin if you are pregnant.
Tell your doctor right away if
you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are
using this medication.
It is not known whether amlodipine and atorvastatin passes into breast milk or if it
could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are
breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take amlodipine and atorvastatin?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in
larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on
your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from
this medication.
This medication is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet,
exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.
Take the medicine with a full glass of water.
You may take this medication with or without food. Amlodipine and atorvastatin is
usually taken once a day. Try to take your dose at the same time each day. Follow your doctor's
instructions.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on
a regular basis. Your liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled
appointments.
You may need to stop using the medication if you have an injury, serious infection or
illness, seizures, metabolic disorders, or any type of surgery. Tell any doctor or other healthcare
provider who treats you that you are taking amlodipine and atorvastatin.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you
feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.
Store amlodipine and atorvastatin at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of amlodipine and atorvastatin?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose,
skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about amlodipine and atorvastatin?
Your pharmacist has information about amlodipine and atorvastatin written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of amlodipine and atorvastatin?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
In rare cases, atorvastatin can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of
skeletal muscle tissue. This condition can lead to kidney failure. Call your doctor at once if you
have unexplained muscle pain or tenderness, muscle weakness, fever or flu symptoms, and dark
colored urine.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these
serious side effects:
-
chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder,
nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
-
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark
urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
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slow, fast, uneven, or pounding heartbeats;
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chest pain;
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feeling light-headed, fainting; or
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swelling of your hands or feet.
Less serious side effects may include:
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headache, dizziness;
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warmth or tingly feeling;
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mild stomach pain, diarrhea, gas, upset stomach;
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decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an
orgasm;
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mild itching or skin rash; or
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drowsiness.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about amlodipine and atorvastatin?
This medication can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use
if you are pregnant.
Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you
become pregnant during treatment.
Do not take this medication if you are allergic to amlodipine (Norvasc) or
atorvastatin (Lipitor), or if you have liver disease.
Before taking amlodipine and atorvastatin, tell your doctor if you have liver problems,
heart disease, congestive heart failure, a serious illness or infection, or if you are taking other
heart or blood pressure medications.
In rare cases, atorvastatin can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of
skeletal muscle tissue. This condition can lead to kidney failure. Call your doctor at once if you
have unexplained muscle pain or tenderness, muscle weakness, fever or flu symptoms, and dark
colored urine.
This medication is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet,
exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.
Avoid drinking alcohol. Both alcohol and atorvastatin can be damaging to the liver.
Alcohol can also further lower blood pressure and can increase some of the side effects of
amlodipine and atorvastatin.
Amlodipine and atorvastatin can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or
reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you
feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.
What should I avoid while taking amlodipine and atorvastatin?
Avoid eating foods that are high in fat or cholesterol. This medication will not be as
effective in treating your condition if you do not follow the diet plan recommended by your
doctor.
Avoid drinking alcohol. Both alcohol and atorvastatin can be damaging to the liver.
Alcohol can also further lower blood pressure and can increase some of the side effects of
amlodipine and atorvastatin.
Amlodipine and atorvastatin can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or
reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with amlodipine and atorvastatin. The
interaction could lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit and
grapefruit juice with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products
in your diet without first talking to your doctor.
What other drugs will affect amlodipine and atorvastatin?
Many drugs can interact with amlodipine and atorvastatin. Below is just a partial list.
Tell your doctor if you are using:
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spironolactone (Aldomet, Aldactazide);
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cimetidine (Tagamet);
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antacids;
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digoxin (Lanoxin);
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gemfibrozil (Lopid), clofibrate (Atromid-S), or fenofibrate
(Antara, Lipofen, Lofibra, Tricor, Triglide);
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niacin (Niacor, Nicolar, Nicobid, Niospan);
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erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab, Erythrocin);
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cholestyramine (Questran) or colestipol (Colestid);
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hormonal birth control (pills, patches, or implants);
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itraconazole (Sporanox), fluconazole (Diflucan), or
ketoconazole (Nizoral); or
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drugs that weaken your immune system such as cancer
medicine or steroids, cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf), sirolimus (Rapamune),
tacrolimus (Prograf), and others; or
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other cholesterol-lowering medicines such as lovastatin
(Mevacor), simvastatin (Zocor), pravastatin (Pravachol), fluvastatin (Lescol), atorvastatin
(Lipitor), or cerivastatin (Baycol).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact
with amlodipine and atorvastatin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and
over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and
drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your
doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of amlodipine and atorvastatin?