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.
Norliqva
Used for Angina, Coronary Artery Disease, Hypertension
Used for Angina, Coronary Artery Disease, Hypertension
Norliqva is the brand name for amlodipine 1 mg/mL solution. It's a calcium channel blocker that treats high blood pressure in adults and children. This medication can also help treat coronary artery disease, including certain types of related angina or chest pain. Norliqva (amlodipine) is taken by mouth once a day. It can have side effects like tiredness and swelling of the hands and feet.
What is Norliqva (amlodipine)?
What is Norliqva (amlodipine) used for?
- High blood pressure
- Coronary artery disease, including some types of chest pain (angina)
How Norliqva (amlodipine) works
Norliqva (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 Norliqva (amlodipine) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Norliqva |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Calcium channel blocker (CCB) |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
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Side effects of Norliqva (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
Norliqva (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 Norliqva (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.
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The following Norliqva (amlodipine) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Heart attack—pain or tightness in the chest, shoulders, arms, or jaw, nausea, shortness of breath, cold or clammy skin, feeling faint or lightheaded
- Low blood pressure—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurry vision
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
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Pros and cons of Norliqva (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
- Can store at room temperature
Cons
- Can cause swelling in the legs
- Can cause dizziness, since it lowers your blood pressure
- Might need dose adjustments for people with liver problems to keep them safe
Pharmacist tips for Norliqva (amlodipine)
- You can take Norliqva (amlodipine) at any time of day. Pick a time that’s easy to remember and take it at the same time every day for the best results.
- Take Norliqva (amlodipine) with or without food. If it hurts your stomach, try taking it with a meal. This might help calm your stomach.
- Use a medication dose cup or an oral syringe to measure your dose of Norliqva (amlodipine). Don't use household spoons because they might not be accurate. You might measure out the wrong dose with household spoons. Ask your pharmacy if you need a medication dose cup or an oral syringe.
- Keep taking Norliqva (amlodipine) as prescribed, even if your blood pressure doesn't change too much right away. Remember, it can take a few weeks to see steady results on your blood pressure readings.
- Check your blood pressure at home and write down your results. Bring your readings to your follow-up visits. This helps your prescriber see how well Norliqva (amlodipine) is working. It also helps them decide if they need to change your dose or treatment plan.
- When you first start taking Norliqva (amlodipine), you might feel dizzy or tired. This can also happen when you start a higher dose of the medication. These side effects usually get better as your body adjusts to the medication. But if they don't go away, talk to your prescriber.
- Swelling in your legs or ankles is a common side effect of Norliqva (amlodipine). Sitting or lying down with your legs raised or wearing compression socks can help. If the swelling is uncomfortable or doesn’t go away, talk to your prescriber.
- If you're pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, talk to your prescriber. It's not known if Norliqva (amlodipine) is safe to take while pregnant. Your prescriber can talk to you about other blood pressure medications that are safer for you to take while pregnant.
- Follow a heart-healthy diet that's low in salt. Along with taking Norliqva (amlodipine), eating healthy is an important way to help lower your blood pressure. Talk to your care team for tips on planning healthy meals for your heart.
- Keep Norliqva (amlodipine) in its original bottle at room temperature (between 68ºF and 77ºF).
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Risks and warnings for Norliqva (amlodipine)
Norliqva (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)
Norliqva (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 Norliqva (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.
Norliqva (amlodipine) dosage
The average cost for 1 bottle of 150ml of 1mg/ml of Norliqva (amlodipine) is $495.76 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 16.71% off the average retail price of $595.25. 
Bottle of oral solution
Bottle of oral solution| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150ml of 1mg/ml | 1 bottle | $495.76 | $495.76 |
Typical dosage for Norliqva (amlodipine)
Norliqva comes as a liquid solution 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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How much does Norliqva (amlodipine) cost?
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Norliqva (brand)
$495.76
What are alternatives to Norliqva (amlodipine)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Norliqva (amlodipine). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
News about Norliqva (amlodipine)
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Norliqva (amlodipine) images
