amlodipine-atorvastatin

Generic Name: amlodipine-atorvastatin
Other Brand Names: Caduet

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 purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Uses Side Effects Precautions Interactions Overdose
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), or if you have liver disease.

Before taking amlodipine and atorvastatin, tell your doctor if you have:

  • liver problems;

  • heart disease or congestive heart failure;

  • a serious illness or infection; or

  • if you take other heart or blood pressure medications.

You may not be able to take amlodipine and atorvastatin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

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.

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 visits to your doctor.

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);

  • slow, fast, uneven, or pounding heartbeats;

  • chest pain;

  • feeling light-headed, fainting; or

  • swelling of your hands or feet.

Continue taking the medication and talk with your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

  • headache, dizziness;

  • warmth or tingly feeling;

  • mild stomach pain, diarrhea, gas, upsest stomach;

  • decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm;

  • mild itching or skin rash; or

  • drowsiness.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

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?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

  • spironolactone (Aldomet, Aldactazide);

  • cimetidine (Tagamet);

  • antacids;

  • digoxin (Lanoxin);

  • cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf);

  • gemfibrozil (Lopid), clofibrate (Atromid-S), or fenofibrate (Antara, Lipofen, Lofibra, Tricor, Triglide);

  • niacin (Niacor, Nicolar, Nicobid, Niospan);

  • erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab, Erythrocin);

  • cholestyramine (Questran) or colestipol (Colestid);

  • hormonal birth control (pills, patches, or implants);

  • itraconazole (Sporanox), fluconazole (Diflucan), or ketoconazole (Nizoral); or

  • other cholesterol-lowering medicines such as lovastatin (Mevacor), simvastatin (Zocor), pravastatin (Pravachol), fluvastatin (Lescol), atorvastatin (Lipitor), or cerivastatin (Baycol).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use amlodipine and atorvastatin, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect 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?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of an amlodipine and atorvastatin overdose may include fast heart rate, feeling light-headed, fainting, and warmth, redness, or tingling under your skin.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 2/11/2008