Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Amlodipine belongs to a
class of
medications called calcium channel blockers. These medications
block the
transport of calcium into the smooth muscle cells lining the
coronary
arteries and other arteries of the body. Since calcium is
important in
muscle contraction, blocking calcium transport relaxes artery
muscles and
dilates coronary arteries and other arteries of the body. By
relaxing
coronary arteries, amlodipine is useful in preventing chest
pain (angina)
resulting from coronary artery spasm. Relaxing the muscles
lining the
arteries of the rest of the body lowers the blood pressure,
which reduces
the burden on the heart as it pumps blood to the body. Reducing
heart
burden lessens the heart muscle's demand for oxygen, and
further helps to
prevent angina in
patients with coronary artery
disease.
PRESCRIPTION: yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: yes
PREPARATIONS: Tablets ( 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg.)
STORAGE: Amlodipine should be stored at room
temperature in a
tight, light resistant container.
PRESCRIBED FOR:Chest pain or heart pain (angina) occurs because of
insufficient oxygen delivered to the heart muscles.
Insufficient oxygen
may be a result of coronary artery blockage or spasm, or
because of
physical exertion which increases heart oxygen demand in a
patient with
coronary artery narrowing. Amlodipine is used for the treatment
and
prevention of angina resulting from coronary spasm as well as
from
exertion. Amlodipine is also used in the treatment of high
blood pressure.
DOSING: Amlodipine can be taken with or without food.
Amlodipine is metabolized mainly by the liver and dosages may need to be
lowered in
patients with liver dysfunction.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: In patients with severe coronary
artery
disease, amlodipine can increase the frequency and severity of
angina or
actually cause a heart attack on rare occasions. This
phenomenon usually
occurs when first starting amlodipine, or at the time of dosage
increase.
Excessive lowering of blood pressure during initiation of
amlodipine
treatment can occur, especially in patients already taking
another blood
pressure lowering medication. In rare instances,
congestive heart failure
has been associated with amlodipine, usually in patients already on a beta
blocker.
PREGNANCY: Generally, amlodipine is avoided in
pregnancy, and by
nursing mothers and children.
NURSING MOTHERS: Generally, amlodipine is avoided in
pregnancy,
and by nursing mothers and children.
SIDE EFFECTS: Side effects of amlodipine
are generally
mild and
reversible. The two most common side effects are headache and
edema (swelling) of the lower extremities. Less common side effects
include
dizziness, flushing, fatigue, nausea, and palpitations.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a repeatedly
elevated blood pressure exceeding 140 over 90 mmHg -- a systolic pressure above
140 with a diastolic pressure above 90. There are two causes of high blood pressure, primary and secondary. Primary high blood pressure is much more common that secondary and its basic causes or underlying defects are not always known. It is known that a diet high in salt increases the risk for high blood pressure, as well as high cholesterol. Genetic factors are also a primary cause. Secondary high blood pressure is generally caused by another condition such as renal hypertension, tumors, and other conditions. Treatment for high blood pressure is generally lifestyle changes and if necessary, diet.
Angina is chest pain that is due to an inadequate supply of oxygen to the heart muscle.
Angina can be caused by coronary artery disease or spasm of the coronary
arteries. EKG, exercise treadmill, stress echocardiography, stress thallium, and cardiac
catheterization are important tests used in the diagnosis of angina.
Fainting, also referred to as blacking out, syncope, or temporary loss of consciousness has many causes. Often a person will have signs or symptoms prior to the fainting episode. Diagnosis and treatment depends upon the cause of the fainting or syncope episode.
Chest pain is a common complaint by a patient in the ER. Causes of chest pain include broken or bruised ribs, pleurisy, pneumothorax, shingles, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, angina, heart attack, costochondritis, pericarditis, aorta or aortic dissection, and reflux esophagitis. Diagnosis and treatment of chest pain depends upon the cause and clinical presentation of the patient's chest pain.
High blood pressure (hypertension) means high pressure (tension) in the arteries. Treatment for high blood pressure include lifestyle modifications (alcohol, smoking, coffee, salt, diet, exercise), drugs and medications such as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, beta blockers, diuretics, calcium channel blockers (CCBs), alpha blockers, clonidine, minoxidil, and Exforge.
Chest pain is a common symptom that is caused by many different conditions. Some causes require prompt medical attention, such as angina,
heart attack, or tearing of the aorta. Other causes of chest pain that may not require immediate medical intervention include spasm of the esophagus, gallbladder attack, or inflammation of the chest wall. An accurate diagnosis is important in providing proper treatment to patients with chest pain.
The diagnosis and treatment of angina is discussed below, as well as the diagnosis of other causes of chest pain that can mimic angina.
What is angina, and what are the symptoms of angina?
Angina (angina pectoris - Latin for squeezing of the chest) is chest discomfort
that occurs when there is a decreased blood oxygen supply to an area of the
heart muscle. In most cases, the lack of blood supply is due to a narrowing of
the coronary arteries as a result of arterioscler...
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