14 Amlodipine Side Effects You Should Know About: Swelling, Fatigue, and More
Read on to learn the side effects of amlodipine (Norvasc, Norliqva), including common, rare and long-term side effects, and how to manage them.
Katerzia
Used for Coronary Artery Disease, Hypertension
Used for Coronary Artery Disease, Hypertension
Katerzia, the brand name for amlodipine 1 mg/mL suspension, is used to treat high blood pressure in adults and children. It can also help treat coronary artery disease, including certain kinds of chest pain (angina). This medication belongs to the drug class called calcium channel blockers. The Katerzia (amlodipine) dosage is taken by mouth once a day. Side effects can include tiredness and swelling of the hands and feet.
What is Katerzia (amlodipine)?
What is Katerzia (amlodipine) used for?
- High blood pressure
- Coronary artery disease, including some types of chest pain (angina)
How Katerzia (amlodipine) works
Katerzia (amlodipine) is a calcium channel blocker (CCB). It works by relaxing your blood vessels. This helps lower your blood pressure. It also helps your heart get more oxygen so it doesn't need to work as hard to pump, which can help with chest pain.
When does Katerzia (amlodipine) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Katerzia |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Calcium channel blocker (CCB) |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
More on Katerzia (amlodipine) essentials
Side effects of Katerzia (amlodipine)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Tiredness (5%)
- Nausea (3%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Swelling in the arms or legs
- Stomach pain
- Sleepiness
- Dizziness
- Flushing
- Racing heart
Katerzia (amlodipine) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Low blood pressure: dizziness, lightheadedness, feeling faint, pale skin
- Heart attack: tightness and pain in the chest, neck, arms, or back; cold and clammy skin; sweating; nausea; dizziness; tiredness
When do Katerzia (amlodipine) possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
H
D
W
M
Tiredness
Dizziness
Flushing
Swelling
If a line continues to the right, you'll likely keep experiencing this side effect once it starts.
More on Katerzia (amlodipine) side effects
The following Katerzia (amlodipine) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Swelling of the ankles or feet
Less common
Difficult or labored breathing
dizziness
fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
feeling of warmth
redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
tightness in the chest
Rare
Black, tarry stools
bleeding gums
blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
blood in the urine or stools
blurred vision
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
chest pain or discomfort
chills
cold and clammy skin
cold sweats
confusion
dark yellow urine
dilated neck veins
dizziness or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position
extra heartbeats
extreme fatigue
fainting
itching of the skin
joint or muscle pain
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
numbness and tingling of the face, fingers, or toes
pain in the arms, legs, or lower back, especially pain in the calves or heels upon exertion
painful or difficult urination
pale, bluish-colored, or cold hands or feet
pinpoint red or purple spots on the skin
red, irritated eyes
redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
redness, soreness or itching skin
shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
slow or irregular heartbeat
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
sores, welting, or blisters
sudden sweating
sweating
swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
swollen glands
trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
unsteadiness or awkwardness
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
weak or absent pulses in the legs
weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
yellow eyes or skin
Incidence not known
Abdominal or stomach pain
clay-colored stools
difficulty with speaking
headache
loss of appetite
loss of balance control
muscle trembling, jerking, or stiffness
rash
shuffling walk
twisting movements of the body
uncontrolled movements, especially of the face, neck, and back
unpleasant breath odor
vomiting of blood
yellow eyes or skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
Acid or sour stomach
belching
feeling of warmth
indigestion
lack or loss of strength
muscle cramps
redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
Rare
Abnormal dreams
back pain
bad unusual or unpleasant (after) taste
bleeding gums
blistering, crusting, irritation, itching, or reddening of the skin
bloody nose
burning feeling in the chest or stomach
burning while urinating
burning, dry, or itching eyes
change in color of the treated skin
change in sense of smell
change in taste
changes in vision
continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
cracked, dry, or scaly skin
decreased sexual performance or desire
difficulty with moving
difficulty with swallowing
discharge, excessive tearing
double vision
dryness of the skin
excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
excessive muscle tone
feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
feeling of unreality
feeling unusually cold
flushed, dry skin
fruit-like breath odor
full feeling
general feeling of discomfort or illness
hair loss or thinning of the hair
headache, severe and throbbing
hearing loss
increased appetite
increased hunger
increased sweating
increased thirst
increased urge to urinate during the night
increased urination
irritability
irritation in the mouth
lack of feeling or emotion
loose stools
loss of memory
muscle pains or stiffness
muscle tension or tightness
muscle weakness
nervousness
pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
passing gas
problems with memory
redness and swelling of the gums
redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
restlessness
seeing double
sensation of spinning
sense of detachment from self or body
shakiness and unsteady walk
shivering
sweating
swollen joints
tenderness in the stomach area
thirst
trouble in holding or releasing urine
trouble sleeping
twitching
uncaring
unexplained weight loss
unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
waking to urinate at night
Incidence not known
Swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Get your GoodRx coupon
$751.37
GoodRx discount
$643.46
Pros and cons of Katerzia (amlodipine)
Pros
- A first-choice option for high blood pressure
- Taken by mouth once a day
- A good choice for people who can't or who prefer not to swallow tablets
Cons
- Need to keep in the refrigerator
- Need to shake well before taking
- Can cause swelling in the legs
Pharmacist tips for Katerzia (amlodipine)
- You can take Katerzia (amlodipine) at any time of day. Choose a time that works best for you and try your best to stick to that time every day. This helps you have consistent effects from the medication.
- Take Katerzia (amlodipine) with or without food. If it hurts your stomach, taking it with food might help.
- Shake the medication bottle well before measuring your dose of Katerzia (amlodipine). Use a medication dose cup or an oral syringe to measure your dose. Don't use household spoons because they might not be accurate. Using household spoons might cause you to take the wrong dose. Ask your pharmacy if there aren't any included in the packaging or if you need extras.
- Keep taking Katerzia (amlodipine) every day, exactly as your prescriber told you. This is important even if your blood pressure doesn't change much right away. It usually takes a few weeks before you'll see your blood pressure stay lower.
- Be sure to check your blood pressure at home and write down your readings. Bring your log with you when you follow up with your prescriber. This information helps them see how well Katerzia (amlodipine) is working. Based on your blood pressure numbers, they can see if your dose or treatment plan needs to be adjusted.
- You might feel dizzy or tired when you first start taking Katerzia (amlodipine). You could also have these side effects when you start taking a higher dose. But they should get better over time as you continue taking the medication. If they don't get better over time, talk to your prescriber.
- Swelling in the feet, ankles, and legs can be a common side effect of Katerzia (amlodipine). To help relieve swelling, sit or lie down with your leg raised or wear compression socks. If the swelling bothers you a lot, talk to your prescriber.
- If you're pregnant or planning to get pregnant, talk to your prescriber about your options. It's not clear if Katerzia (amlodipine) is completely safe to take during pregnancy. Your prescriber might suggest a different blood pressure medication that they know is safer for you and your baby.
- Along with taking Katerzia (amlodipine), it's important to choose foods that are healthy for your heart. This includes foods that are low in salt. Eating healthy is an important part of helping to lower your blood pressure. Talk to your care team to learn more about how to plan heart-healthy meals.
- Keep Katerzia (amlodipine) in the refrigerator (between 36ºF and 46ºF). Be careful not to let the medication freeze or be out at hot temperatures. Protect the medication from light.
More on Katerzia (amlodipine) tips
Risks and warnings for Katerzia (amlodipine)
Katerzia (amlodipine) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Low blood pressure
- Risk factors: Severely narrow heart valves (aortic stenosis)
Katerzia (amlodipine) lowers blood pressure. This can sometimes make you feel dizzy, tired, or lightheaded. It's a common side effect when starting the medication and when the dose is raised. The risk is higher if you have severe aortic stenosis (narrower heart valves).
If your blood pressure drops too much and you feel too dizzy, make sure to sit down until you feel better. Get up slowly while holding onto something stable to prevent falling. If this side effect bothers you too much, let your care team know. Your prescriber might need to adjust the dose of your medication. If you fall and hit your head, get medical help right away.
Worsening chest pain and risk of heart attack
- Risk factors: Severe coronary artery disease
Some people might have worsening chest pain or even a heart attack while taking Katerzia (amlodipine). This risk is higher if you have severely blocked arteries around the heart, also called coronary artery disease (CAD).
Get medical help right away if you feel strong chest pain, pressure in the chest, or heartburn. You also might feel dizzy, anxious, sweaty, nauseous, or short of breath. These can be signs of a heart attack.
Katerzia (amlodipine) dosage
The average cost for 1 bottle of 150ml of 1mg/ml of Katerzia (amlodipine) is $643.46 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 14.36% off the average retail price of $751.37. 
Bottle of oral suspension
Bottle of oral suspension| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150ml of 1mg/ml | 1 bottle | $643.46 | $643.46 |
Typical dosage for Katerzia (amlodipine)
Katerzia comes as a liquid suspension containing 1 mg/mL of amlodipine.
- Adults: The typical dose is 5 mg to 10 mg by mouth once daily. Adults who are small or fragile, are older, or have liver problems might first start at a dosage of 2.5 mg daily.
- Children 6 years of age or older: The typical dose ranges from 2.5 mg to 5 mg by mouth once daily. The maximum dose is 5 mg daily.
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Interactions between Katerzia (amlodipine) and other drugs
Katerzia (amlodipine) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Katerzia (amlodipine). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
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Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Abametapir
- Atazanavir
- Ceritinib
- Clarithromycin
- Clopidogrel
- Conivaptan
- Cyclosporine
- Dantrolene
- Digoxin
- Domperidone
- Droperidol
- Epirubicin
- Fosnetupitant
- Lacosamide
- Netupitant
- Piperaquine
- Rifampin
- Ritonavir
- Simvastatin
- Tacrolimus
- Tegafur
- Telaprevir
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Indinavir
- Rifapentine
How much does Katerzia (amlodipine) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Katerzia (brand)
$643.46
What are alternatives to Katerzia (amlodipine)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Katerzia (amlodipine). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
News about Katerzia (amlodipine)
Amlodipine Dosages: Your GoodRx Guide
The recommended amlodipine dosage for adults is 5 mg to 10 mg once daily. Get info on dose adjustments for liver issues, age, and more here.
How Much Is Amlodipine Without Insurance?
Amlodipine (Norvasc) is a calcium channel blocker that treats high blood pressure. Learn how much amlodipine costs without insurance and how to save with GoodRx.
What Pharmacists Say About When to Take Amlodipine (Plus 4 Other Tips)
It doesn’t matter what time of the day you take amlodipine, but it’s best to take it at the same time each day. Learn about the best time to take amlodipine here.
What’s It Like to Take Amlodipine for High Blood Pressure?
Three people who have used the blood pressure medication amlodipine explain what it feels like to take it, including what side effects they experienced.
Amlodipine vs. Hydrochlorothiazide: What’s the Difference?
Amlodipine and hydrochlorothiazide are two of the most popular medications used to treat high blood pressure, but they are fundamentally distinct medicines that work on your body in different ways.
