As humans, we all want our medicines to be as effective as possible, and that requires effort on our part. It may be necessary to avoid taking pills with certain foods or drinks and to check that medications won’t interfere with each other.
And in some cases, it may be important to take a drug at a particular time of day. This approach, known as chronotherapy, is gaining attention as research suggests a relationship between when we take medications and how well they work.
What is amlodipine?
Amlodipine is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure in adults and children 6 years and older. It is also used to treat certain types of angina (chest pain) and coronary artery disease (narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart). Amlodipine is in a class of medications called calcium channel blockers. It lowers blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels so the heart does not have to pump as hard. It controls chest pain by increasing the supply of blood to the heart. If taken regularly, amlodipine controls chest pain, but it does not stop chest pain once it starts. Your doctor may prescribe a different medication to take when you have chest pain. Amlodipine comes in 2.5 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg dosage forms.
What is the best time to take amlodipine 5 mg?
The typical dose of amlodipine is 5 mg to 10 mg by mouth once a day. You may be taking a lower dose (2.5 mg) if you are of lower body weight, older, or have liver disease. Generally, doctors say you can take amlodipine at any time of the day.
However, new studies suggest that taking blood pressure medications like amlodipine 5 mg at bedtime may more effectively reduce your risk of illness or death due to heart and blood vessel disease. Specifically, the study found that taking blood pressure drugs before bed may lower the risk of serious heart-related complications more than taking the drugs in the morning.
What foods should you avoid when taking amlodipine 5mg?
There are no specific foods you need to avoid while taking amlodipine. You can take Amlodipine with or without food.
Can you drink alcohol while taking amlodipine 5mg?
Alcohol does not affect how amlodipine works in your body. However, it is recommended to drink alcohol in moderation, especially if you have a health condition like high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart failure.
Can you just stop taking amlodipine 5mg?
You should not stop taking amlodipine without first speaking to your doctor. Although you may not feel the symptoms of high blood pressure, taking this medication can help prevent future complications related to high blood pressure, such as stroke, heart attack, and kidney damage.
It is important that this medication be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is less than 12 hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
