Description
Norvasc Tablets 5mg (1 Box = 3 Strips) (1 Strip = 10 Tablets)
Product Overview
Norvasc 5mg Tablet is a prescription oral medication containing the active ingredient Amlodipine Besylate. Manufactured by Pfizer in Pakistan, this potent, long-acting calcium channel blocker is specifically designed for the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure) and coronary artery disease, including chronic stable angina and vasospastic angina (Prinzmetal’s or variant angina). Norvasc works by relaxing blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily throughout the body, thereby lowering blood pressure and reducing the workload on the heart. Administered as a simple, once-daily oral tablet, Norvasc offers a convenient and effective treatment option for managing cardiovascular conditions. Lowering blood pressure with Norvasc reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions. Each box contains 3 strips of 10 tablets each (total 30 tablets, 5mg each) .
This advanced cardiovascular therapy delivers effective blood pressure control and angina relief:
Effective Blood Pressure Control: Indicated for the treatment of hypertension to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.
Angina Relief: Effectively treats chronic stable angina and vasospastic angina (Prinzmetal’s or variant angina).
Calcium Channel Blockade: As a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist, it inhibits calcium ion influx into vascular smooth muscle and cardiac muscle.
Vasodilation: Relaxes vascular and arterial smooth muscle cells, resulting in arterial vasodilation and decreased cardiac work.
Once-Daily Dosing: Simple, once-daily oral administration for convenient and consistent treatment.
Prescription Medication: Requires a prescription from a qualified healthcare professional.
What are the Primary Uses and Key Features of Norvasc Tablet?
Norvasc Tablet serves as a specialized therapeutic solution for managing hypertension and coronary artery disease. It is designed to effectively lower blood pressure and relieve angina symptoms.
Core Uses of This Medication
Hypertension: The primary indication is the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure). Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions.
Chronic Stable Angina: Effectively treats chronic stable angina, reducing the frequency and severity of chest pain episodes.
Vasospastic Angina (Prinzmetal’s or Variant Angina): Indicated for the treatment of vasospastic angina, a rare form of chest pain caused by coronary artery spasm.
Angiographically Documented Coronary Artery Disease: Used in patients with documented coronary artery disease without heart failure or an ejection fraction < 40%.
Cardiovascular Protection: Helps protect against kidney issues, heart attacks, and stroke by facilitating blood circulation throughout the body.
Standout Product Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Active Ingredient: Amlodipine Besylate | A second-generation dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker. |
| Strength: 5mg | Each tablet contains 5mg of amlodipine (as amlodipine besylate). |
| Manufacturer: Pfizer | Manufactured by a globally renowned pharmaceutical company. |
| Oral Administration | Convenient once-daily tablet that can be taken with or without food. |
| Long-Acting | Provides 24-hour blood pressure control with a single daily dose. |
| Prescription Required | Available only with a prescription from a qualified healthcare professional. |
| Blister Packaging | Each box contains 3 strips of 10 tablets. |
What Key Ingredients are in Norvasc Tablet and How Does It Work?
Composition
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Amlodipine Besylate | Each tablet contains amlodipine besylate equivalent to 5 mg of amlodipine. |
| Other Ingredients | Contains pharmaceutical excipients including tablet binders and coating agents. |
Mechanism of Action
Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist (calcium ion antagonist or slow-channel blocker) that inhibits the transmembrane influx of calcium ions into vascular smooth muscle and cardiac muscle. Amlodipine inhibits calcium ion influx across cell membranes selectively, with a greater effect on vascular smooth muscle cells than on cardiac muscle cells. This action causes relaxation of vascular and arterial smooth muscle cells, resulting in arterial vasodilation and a decrease in cardiac work and oxygen consumption. By relaxing blood arteries, this medication allows blood to flow through them more readily.
Key Benefits
Effectively lowers blood pressure and reduces the risk of cardiovascular events.
Relieves and prevents angina (chest pain).
Facilitates blood circulation throughout the body.
Convenient once-daily oral administration.
Easy on the stomach, with very few adverse effects.
How Should I Use Norvasc Tablet Correctly?
Norvasc Tablet must be taken orally as prescribed by a healthcare professional. Do not self-adjust the dose.
Dosage and Administration
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Recommended Starting Dose (Adults) | 5 mg once daily. |
| Maximum Dose (Adults) | 10 mg once daily. |
| Small, Fragile, or Elderly Patients | May be started on 2.5 mg once daily. |
| Patients with Hepatic Insufficiency | May be started on 2.5 mg once daily; titrate slowly. |
| Pediatric Starting Dose | 2.5 mg to 5 mg once daily. |
| Pediatric Limitation | Doses in excess of 5 mg daily have not been studied in pediatric patients. |
| Method of Administration | Take orally with water, with or without food. |
| Duration | Chronic therapy is typical. |
Method of Administration
Oral: Take the tablet orally with a glass of water.
With or Without Food: Can be taken with or without food.
Consistency: Take at the same time each day for consistent blood pressure control.
Swallow Whole: Swallow the tablet whole; do not crush or chew.
Missed Dose: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Important Considerations
Prescription Only: This medication is available only with a prescription.
Pregnancy and Lactation: Consult your doctor about the advantages and disadvantages of using this medication if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Monitoring: Blood pressure should be monitored regularly during treatment.
Elderly Patients: Start dosing at the low end of the dose range.
Hepatic Impairment: Patients with severe hepatic impairment require slow titration.
What Precautions Should I Be Aware of Before Taking This Medication?
While generally safe and well-tolerated, specific conditions and interactions require awareness and caution.
Key Warnings and Contraindications
Hypersensitivity: Contraindicated in patients with known sensitivity to amlodipine.
Hypotension: Symptomatic hypotension is possible, particularly in patients with severe aortic stenosis. However, acute hypotension is unlikely.
Worsening Angina: Worsening angina and acute myocardial infarction can develop after starting or increasing the dose of Norvasc, particularly in patients with severe obstructive coronary artery disease.
Hepatic Impairment: Titrate slowly in patients with severe hepatic impairment.
Liver Disease: People with liver diseases should use this medicine with caution.
Alcohol: Alcohol should be avoided while taking this medication.
Driving: It is not advisable to drive immediately after consuming this medicine.
Drug Interactions
| Interaction | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Simvastatin | Do not exceed doses greater than 20 mg daily of simvastatin when co-administered with amlodipine. |
| CYP3A Inhibitors | Co-administration with CYP3A inhibitors results in increased systemic exposure to amlodipine and may require dose reduction. |
| Cyclosporine/Tacrolimus | Amlodipine may increase the systemic exposure of cyclosporine or tacrolimus when co-administered. |
When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Severe Allergic Reaction: Difficulty breathing, swelling of the face/lips/tongue/throat.
Signs of Hypotension: Severe dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting.
Worsening Angina: Increased frequency or severity of chest pain.
Signs of Myocardial Infarction: Chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, or cold sweat.
Severe Edema: Sudden or severe swelling of the ankles or feet.
Are There Any Potential Side Effects of Norvasc Tablet?
As with all medications, Norvasc Tablet may cause side effects, although not everyone experiences them.
Side Effects by Frequency
| Frequency | Side Effects |
|---|---|
| Most Common | Edema (swelling) which occurred in a dose-related manner. |
| Common (>1.0%) | Fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, and somnolence. |
| Other Reported | Headache, flushing, dizziness, diarrhea, palpitations, and rash. |
| Rare | Clinically apparent liver injury (rare). |
When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Severe Allergic Reaction: Difficulty breathing, swelling of the face/lips/tongue/throat.
Signs of Liver Injury: Yellowing of skin or eyes, dark urine, severe nausea.
Signs of Myocardial Infarction: Chest pain, shortness of breath.
Severe Edema: Sudden or severe swelling.
How Should I Store This Medication?
Proper storage is essential for maintaining the stability, efficacy, and safety of Norvasc Tablets.
Optimal Storage Conditions
Temperature Control: Store at room temperature, away from direct light and heat.
Keep Out of Reach: Keep the medication out of reach of children and pets.
Protect from Moisture: Store in the original package to protect from moisture.
Check Expiry: Do not use the medication if the expiry date has passed.
Who Manufactures Norvasc Tablet?
Norvasc Tablet is manufactured by Pfizer, a globally renowned and well-established pharmaceutical company known for producing high-quality medications for various medical conditions. Norvasc is also available in Pakistan under the manufacturer OBS.
Commitment to Quality and Safety
Regulatory Approval: Registered with relevant national drug regulatory authorities.
GMP Compliance: Manufactured in facilities that follow strict Good Manufacturing Practices.
Quality Assurance: Each batch undergoes rigorous quality testing to ensure purity, potency, and consistency.
Patient Safety: A commitment to providing safe, effective, and high-quality medications.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Norvasc Tablet used for?
Norvasc Tablet is used for the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure) and coronary artery disease, including chronic stable angina and vasospastic angina (Prinzmetal’s or variant angina).
2. How does Norvasc Tablet work?
Norvasc contains amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker that inhibits the influx of calcium ions into vascular smooth muscle and cardiac muscle cells. This causes relaxation of blood vessels, resulting in vasodilation and decreased cardiac work.
3. Can Norvasc be taken with food?
Yes, Norvasc tablets can be taken with or without food. It is recommended to take it at the same time each day for consistent treatment.
4. What should I do if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your normal schedule. Do not double the dose.
5. What is the recommended starting dose of Norvasc?
The usual initial antihypertensive oral dose of Norvasc is 5 mg once daily, with a maximum dose of 10 mg once daily. Small, fragile, or elderly patients may be started on 2.5 mg once daily.
6. Is Norvasc safe for elderly patients?
Yes, the elderly can safely use Norvasc because it is easy on the stomach and has very few adverse effects. However, dosing should start at the low end of the dose range.
7. What are the common side effects?
The most common adverse reaction to amlodipine is edema (swelling), which occurs in a dose-related manner. Other common side effects include fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, and somnolence.
8. Do I need a prescription for Norvasc Tablet?
Yes, Norvasc Tablet is a prescription medication and is available only with a prescription from a qualified healthcare professional.
9. How should I store Norvasc?
Store at room temperature, away from direct light and heat. Keep out of reach of children. Do not use after the expiry date.
10. What should I do if I experience side effects?
If you experience mild side effects, inform your doctor at your next appointment. If you experience severe allergic reactions, difficulty breathing, signs of heart attack, or severe swelling, seek immediate medical attention.
