Amlodipine Dosages: Your GoodRx Guide

Amlodipine is part of a group of medications called calcium channel blockers. It’s available as an oral tablet (Norvasc), oral solution (Norliqva), and oral suspension (Katerzia). It’s FDA approved to treat high blood pressure and coronary artery disease (CAD) in adults. It’s also approved to treat high blood pressure in children as young as 6 years old.

Here, we’ll take a look at typical amlodipine doses recommended by the medication’s manufacturer. Your healthcare provider may recommend a different dose than what’s listed here, so make sure you always follow their instructions closely.

What’s the typical amlodipine dosage for adults?

Adults typically take amlodipine once daily. It can be taken any time of day, with or without food. But try to take your amlodipine dose at the same time every day. This not only helps you remember to take it, but also keeps a steady amount of medication in your body throughout the day.

All forms of amlodipine are FDA approved to treat high blood pressure and CAD. CAD happens when the arteries (a type of blood vessel) that bring oxygen-rich blood to your heart become damaged.

High blood pressure

Calcium channel blockers, like amlodipine, are a first-choice medication for high blood pressure. Your healthcare provider will usually start you at 5 mg once a day. They may increase your dose up to 10 mg.

It may take a few weeks to find the best amlodipine dose for you. This is because your provider may wait a week or longer before increasing your dose to see how it affects you. In some cases, they may increase your dose more rapidly and ask you to check in more frequently.

CAD

The typical dose of amlodipine for CAD is 5 mg to 10 mg once daily. Most people will end up needing 10 mg.

What’s the typical amlodipine dosage for children?

When treating high blood pressure, children may need a lower amlodipine dosage than adults.

High blood pressure

For children as young as 6 years old, the amlodipine dose usually ranges from 2.5 mg to 5 mg.

Are there any dosage adjustments for amlodipine?

Some people may need a lower amlodipine dose than what’s recommended for the general population. The dose you’ll need may depend on your medical history, age, and other medications you take.

Dosage for people with liver problems

Amlodipine is broken down by the liver. So if you have liver problems before starting amlodipine, your healthcare provider may start you at a lower dose than usual. This is to prevent amlodipine from building up in your body, which may lead to side effects. Examples of possible amlodipine side effects include dizziness, fatigue, and blood pressure that’s too low.

Dosage for people of older age

Older adults are more likely to have liver, kidney, or heart issues. This may make them more sensitive to amlodipine. Typically, the starting amlodipine dose for older adults is lower (2.5 mg).

Dosage for people who may experience drug interactions

If you take amlodipine, it’s a good idea to ask your provider and pharmacist if you take any medications that can interact with amlodipine. Some medications, like ketoconazole, voriconazole (Vfend), and ritonavir (Norvir) may increase levels of amlodipine in the body. If you take one of these medications, you may need a lower dose of amlodipine.

What happens if you miss a dose of amlodipine?

If you miss a dose of amlodipine, take it right when you remember. But if it’s been more than 12 hours since you missed your dose, skip the missed dose. Then, just take your next dose at your usual time.

Don’t take two amlodipine doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose. This raises your risk of amlodipine side effects.

What should you do if you take too much amlodipine?

Taking too much amlodipine can raise your risk of side effects and toxicity, including dangerously low blood pressure and a fast heart rate. If you take too much amlodipine, you may feel the following symptoms:

• Dizziness or light-headedness that leads to fainting

• Shortness of breath

• Headache

• Chest pain

• Nausea and vomiting

• Heart palpitations

• Flushing

If you or someone you know has taken too much amlodipine, medical care in a hospital may be necessary. Seek emergency care by calling 911, or call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

How to save on amlodipine

Amlodipine tablets are available as both a brand-name and lower-cost generic medication. GoodRx can help you save over 70% off the average retail price of the generic version. Generic amlodipine tablets at certain pharmacies are as low as $5.70 with a free GoodRx discount.

Amlodipine solution and suspension are only available as brand-name products. For Norliqva solution and Katerzia suspension, you may be able to save with a copay savings card. If you have no insurance or commercial insurance, Norliqva’s price may be as little as $0 a month using a savings card from the manufacturer. If you have commercial insurance, Katurzia’s price may be as little as $30 a month.

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Written by:

Nicole E. Cieri-Hutcherson, PharmD, BCPS, NCMP

Nicole E. Cieri-Hutcherson, PharmD, BCPS, NCMP, has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist, professor, and researcher. She was a full-time clinical professor in the pharmacy practice department at D’Youville School of Pharmacy before subsequently joining the faculty of the pharmacy practice department at the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Edited by:

Amy B. Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS

Amy Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. Amy currently holds her pharmacist license in Georgia and California.

Reviewed by:

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacist. In his early career, he provided direct patient care in a variety of settings, including hospital and community pharmacies, and in a primary care clinic as a clinical pharmacist.

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