Amlodipine and Atorvastatin are combined in this medicine.
Amlodipine helps to keep your blood pressure under control. It relaxes your blood vessels, and this helps to lower your blood pressure. It is also used to treat chest pain (angina pectoris).
Atorvastatin helps lower your cholesterol and triglyceride (fat) levels in the blood.
Amlodipine + Atorvastatin is used in conditions in which treatment with both medicines is appropriate.
Take Amlodipine + Atorvastatin exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day.
This medicine must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have active liver disease or abnormal blood test for liver function (e.g. unexplained persistent rise in liver enzymes) as Amlodipine + Atorvastatin may not be suitable for you.
Do not take Amlodipine + Atorvastatin if you are pregnant or planning to have a baby soon. If you become pregnant while being treated with this medicine, alert your doctor immediately. This medicine may cause harm to your unborn child. You must use proven birth control methods while taking this medicine.
Do not take this medicine if you are breastfeeding.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- heart problems e.g. narrowing of the valves in the heart, abnormally thick heart muscles
- inadequately treated underactive thyroid
- recent stroke
- history of or current liver disease
- history of or current kidney disease
- consumes a large amount of alcohol
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Amlodipine + Atorvastatin to the elderly. Elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Liver function tests may be done while you are being treated with this medicine.
- Routine monitoring of your blood pressure and heart rate may also be needed.
Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
What lifestyle changes can I make to improve my blood pressure?
Regular exercise and eating a healthy diet will help control your blood pressure and improve your overall health. Engage in physical activity like walking for at least 30 to 60 minutes on most days of the week. If you have not exercised for a long time, start with light exercises such as slow walks. Speak to your doctor about what type of exercise would be suitable for you. Follow a healthy diet plan by eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products and reduce your intake of foods high in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. Cutting down on deep-fried foods and using less salt when cooking can kick-start your healthy diet.
If you smoke, you should try to quit. Smoking is harmful to your blood pressure, heart and overall health. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist about ways to stop your smoking habit.
Amlodipine + Atorvastatin may cause any of the following side effects: headache, dizziness, nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, indigestion, stomach wind, stomach pain, joint or muscle pain, muscle cramps, weakness, tiredness, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, runny or stuffy nose, flushing, nose bleed, and difficulty sleeping.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
- trouble speaking or thinking, change in balance, change in strength of one side of the body that is greater than the other
- shortness of breath
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines used in organ transplant or certain immune disorders e.g. ciclosporin, tacrolimus
- cholesterol-lowering medicines e.g. gemfibrozil, fenofibrate, colestipol
- medicines used to treat fungal infection e.g. itraconazole, ketoconazole
- certain antibiotics e.g. clarithromycin, erythromycin
- medicines for HIV infection e.g. efavirenz, ritonavir
- medicines for Hepatitis C infection e.g. boceprevir
- birth control pills e.g. norethindrone, ethinylestradiol
- rifampicin (medicine for tuberculosis or TB)
- phenytoin (medicine for epilepsy, fits or seizures)
- colchicine (medicine for gout [high uric acid level in the blood])
- digoxin (medicine for heart disease)
- St. John’s wort (herbal medicine)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Amlodipine + Atorvastatin.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol. Consuming a large amount of alcohol is very damaging to the liver.
Avoid excessive consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice (more than 1 litre a day).
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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