Key takeaways:
Amlodipine (Norvasc, Katerzia, others) is a medication that’s FDA approved to treat high blood pressure and coronary artery disease (CAD) in adults. It also treats high blood pressure in children ages 6 and older.
The usual amlodipine dosage 5 mg to 10 mg once daily for adults and 2.5 mg to 5 mg daily for children. If you have liver problems, take medications that interact with amlodipine, or are age 65 or older, you may start with a lower amlodipine dosage.
Amlodipine tablets are available as a lower-cost generic. You can find them for as low as $5.70 per month at certain pharmacies with a free GoodRx discount.
Save on related medications
Amlodipine is part of a group of medications called calcium channel blockers. It’s available as an oral tablet (Norvasc) and several different oral liquids (Norliqva, Katerzia, Sdamlo). Amlodipine is 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 ages 6 and older.
Here, we’ll take a look at typical amlodipine dosages recommended by the medication’s manufacturer. Your prescriber may recommend a different dose than what’s listed here, so make sure to follow their instructions closely.
What’s the typical amlodipine dosage for adults?
Adults typically take amlodipine once daily. You can take it at 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 helps keep medication levels steady in the body.
Search and compare options
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 blocked or damaged.
High blood pressure
Amlodipine and other calcium channel blockers are first-choice medications for high blood pressure. Your prescriber will usually start you out with 5 mg of amlodipine once a day. They may increase your dose up to a maximum of 10 mg daily based on your response.
It may take a few weeks to find the best amlodipine dose for you. This is because your prescriber 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, including angina (chest pain)
The typical amlodipine dosage for CAD is 5 mg to 10 mg once daily. Most people will end up needing 10 mg daily, especially if you’re taking amlodipine for angina (chest pain) associated with CAD.
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 ages 6 and older, the typical amlodipine dosage ranges from 2.5 mg to 5 mg. Doses over 5 mg aren’t recommended for children.
Amlodipine is sometimes prescribed off-label for children under age 6. In this case, your child’s prescriber will calculate the dosage based on body weight. They’ll let you know how to measure and give the right amlodipine dosage to your child.
Are there any dosage adjustments for amlodipine?
Some people may need a lower amlodipine dosage 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 prescriber may start you at 2.5 mg of amlodipine daily. 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 low blood pressure.
Amlodipine tips: Is there a best time to take amlodipine? Here, pharmacists provide tips for when and how to take amlodipine to get the most out of your medication.
Real stories: Three people describe what it’s like to take amlodipine, including how they managed side effects from the treatment.
Amlodipine interactions: Learn more about amlodipine interactions — from statins to Viagra — and how to manage them.
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 dosage for older adults is 2.5 mg daily.
Dosage for people who may experience drug interactions
If you take amlodipine, it’s a good idea to ask your prescriber and pharmacist to review your other medications for any interactions. 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. The same is true if you’re taking other blood pressure medications along with amlodipine.
What happens if you miss a dose of amlodipine?
If you miss a dose of amlodipine, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s been more than 12 hours since you missed your dose, skip it. Then, just take your next dose at the 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?
If you take an extra dose of amlodipine by mistake, it’s not likely to cause a major issue. But you may feel dizzy or lightheaded until the extra dose wears off. Contact your prescriber or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for guidance if needed.
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
Flushing
If you or someone you know has taken too much amlodipine, call 911 or seek emergency care.
How to save on amlodipine
Amlodipine tablets are available as both a brand-name and lower-cost generic medication. GoodRx can help you find ways to save on the cost of your prescription. Generic amlodipine tablets at certain pharmacies are as low as $5.70 with a free GoodRx discount.
Liquid forms of amlodipine are only available as brand-name products. If you have commercial insurance Norliqva’s price may be as little as $0 a month and Katerzia’s price may be as little as $30 a month with copay savings cards from their manufacturers. Katerzia also has a patient assistance program for those who are uninsured or underinsured.
Frequently asked questions
Amlodipine comes in 2.5 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg tablets. It also comes as an oral liquid that contains 1 mg/mL of amlodipine under the brand names Katerzia and Norliqva. Sdamlo is a new form of amlodipine that comes in single doses of 2.5 mg, 5 mg, or 10 mg as a powder. You’ll need to mix each dose with a tablespoon of water, then drink it.
Swollen legs are one of the most common amlodipine side effects. It’s more likely to happen with higher amlodipine doses, and it seems to be more common in women than in men. Other common amlodipine side effects include dizziness and fatigue. These may improve as your body adjusts to the medication.
It depends. Most people will start with an amlodipine dosage of 5 mg daily for high blood pressure. You’ll likely keep taking this dose if your blood pressure stays within your goal range. But some people may need a higher dosage to manage their high blood pressure. Your prescriber will cater your amlodipine dosage to your specific needs.
Amlodipine comes in 2.5 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg tablets. It also comes as an oral liquid that contains 1 mg/mL of amlodipine under the brand names Katerzia and Norliqva. Sdamlo is a new form of amlodipine that comes in single doses of 2.5 mg, 5 mg, or 10 mg as a powder. You’ll need to mix each dose with a tablespoon of water, then drink it.
Swollen legs are one of the most common amlodipine side effects. It’s more likely to happen with higher amlodipine doses, and it seems to be more common in women than in men. Other common amlodipine side effects include dizziness and fatigue. These may improve as your body adjusts to the medication.
It depends. Most people will start with an amlodipine dosage of 5 mg daily for high blood pressure. You’ll likely keep taking this dose if your blood pressure stays within your goal range. But some people may need a higher dosage to manage their high blood pressure. Your prescriber will cater your amlodipine dosage to your specific needs.
The bottom line
Amlodipine (Norvasc, Katerzia, others) is a medication that’s FDA approved to treat high blood pressure and coronary artery disease (CAD) in adults. It also treats high blood pressure in children ages 6 and older. The typical amlodipine dosage is 5 mg to 10 mg once daily for adults and 2.5 mg to 5 mg daily for children.
It’s best to take amlodipine at the same time each day. But it doesn’t matter what time of day you take it. If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember as long as you’re at least 12 hours away from your next dose.
Why trust our experts?
References
Azurity Pharmaceuticals. (2023). Katerzia- amlodipine suspension [package insert].
Brillian Pharma. (2025). Sdamlo (amlodipine) for oral solution [package insert].
Bulsara, K. G., et al. (2024). Amlodipine. StatPearls.
Chakraborty, R. K., et al. (2023). Calcium channel blocker toxicity. StatPearls.
CMP Pharma. (2022). Norliqva- amlodipine solution [package insert].
Flynn, J. T., et al. (2000). Treatment of hypertensive children with amlodipine. American Journal of Hypertension.
Gupta, B., et al. (2018). Amlodipine toxicity complicated by concurrent medication. Korean Journal of Anesthesiology.
Jones, D. W., et al. (2025). Guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation and management of high blood pressure in adults. Circulation.
MedlinePlus. (2024). Amlodipine.
National Kidney Foundation. (n.d.). Aging and kidney disease.
Remedyrepack. (2025). Amlodipine besylate- amlodipine besylate tablet [package insert].
Tajiri, K., et al. (2013). Liver physiology and liver diseases in the elderly. World Journal of Gastroenterology.
