Generic Amlodipine is now available in the UK and throughout Europe.

Amlodipine is essentially a generic of the medication Norvasc.

The patent on the Amlodipine molecule expired on 7 March 2004. There remains a formulation patent covering the product with the Besilate salt. In order to bring a product to market with minimal delay, generic manufacturers have chosen to launch generic versions of amlodipine based on different salts (Mesilate or Maleate salts).

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. For more detailed information related to coronary artery disease, please read the Chest Pain, Cholesterol, and Heart Attack articles.

Storage

Amlodipine should be stored at room temperature in a tight, light resistant container.

Prescribed for

Chest 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.