Amlodipine Besylate

Question 1

Trade name

Answer 1

Norvasc

Question 2

Generic name

Answer 2

amlodipine besylate

Question 3

Class of drug

Answer 3

Calcium channel blocker
Antihypertensive

Question 4

Usual dosage

Answer 4

5 to 10 mg P.O. once daily

Question 5

How administered

Answer 5

Po

Question 6

What is it used for

Answer 6

Essential hypertension, chronic stable angina pectoris, and vasospastic angina (Prinzmetal’s angina)

Question 7

Complications/Precautions:

Answer 7

Complications
• Hypersensitivity to drug
Precautions:
Use cautiously in:
• aortic stenosis, severe hepatic impairment, heart failure
• elderly patients
• pregnant or breastfeeding patients
• children

Question 8

Adverse effects

Answer 8

CNS: headache, dizziness, drowsiness, light-headedness, fatigue, weakness, lethargy
CV: peripheral edema, angina, brady-cardia, hypotension, palpitations GI: nausea, abdominal discomfort
Musculoskeletal: muscle cramps, muscle pain or inflammation
Respiratory: shortness of breath, dysp-nea, wheezing
Skin: rash, pruritus, urticaria, flushing

Question 9

Nursing Considerations:

Answer 9

• Monitor patient for worsening angina.
• Monitor heart rate and rhythm and blood pressure, especially at start of therapy.
• Assess for heart failure; report signs and symptoms (peripheral edema, dyspnea) to prescriber promptly.
• Give sublingual nitroglycerin, as prescribed, if patient has signs or symptoms of acute myocardial infarction (especially when dosage is increased).