Drug Notes

Amlodipine/atorvastatin (By mouth)

Amlodipine Besylate (am-LOE-di-peen BES-i-late), Atorvastatin Calcium (a-tor-va-STAT-in KAL-see-um)

Treats high blood pressure and angina (chest pain), and lowers high cholesterol levels. Helps prevent chest pain, stroke, heart attack, or heart and blood vessel diseases. This medicine contains a calcium channel blocker (CCB) and a statin.

Brand Name(s):

Caduet

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
• Take this medicine at the same time each day.
• Swallow the tablet whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it.
• Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• Missed dose: Take it as soon as you can. If more than 12 hours have passed since you missed your dose, skip the missed dose and take your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some foods and medicines can affect how amlodipine/atorvastatin works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
  • Birth control pills
  • Boceprevir, colchicine, cyclosporine, digoxin, diltiazem, fenofibrate, gemfibrozil, niacin (vitamin B3), rifampin, spironolactone, tacrolimus, telaprevir
  • Medicine to treat an infection (such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole)
  • Medicine to treat HIV/AIDS (such as darunavir, efavirenz, fosamprenavir, lopinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, tipranavir)
• Tell your doctor if you regularly drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, heart or blood vessel disease, heart valve problems, thyroid problems, or a history of stroke.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Muscle damage, which can lead to kidney problems
  • Liver problems
  • Worsening of angina, increased risk of heart attack or stroke
• This medicine could lower your blood pressure too much, especially when you first use it or if you are dehydrated. Stand or sit up slowly if you feel lightheaded or dizzy.
• Do not stop taking this medicine without asking your doctor, even if you feel well. This medicine will not cure high blood pressure, but it will help keep it in a normal range. You may need to take blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.
• Tell your doctor if you usually have more than 2 drinks of alcohol per day.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash
• Change in how much or how often you urinate, painful urination
• Chest pain that may spread, trouble breathing, nausea, unusual sweating, fainting
• Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
• Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• Muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness
• Rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
• Unexplained fever, unusual tiredness

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Diarrhea, upset stomach
• Joint pain

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 1/27/2017