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What is Norvasc? |
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Drug Uses
Norvasc is a calcium channel blocker. It can effectively relax (widen) the blood vessels, aiding the heart in efficient blood-pumping, thereby helping in the reduction of its workload. The medication is normally administered for treating hypertension (increased blood pressure) and angina, but may also be prescribed for other conditions and purposes.
How to Take Norvasc
Norvasc is an oral ingestion medication. The normal intake dose is one pill per day, although this may be adjusted according to a doctor’s instructions. The drug may be taken without food, but if you experience stomach upset, take it after a meal or with milk. Seek medical advice first before using salt substitutes which contain potassium. Carefully follow directions if you are given a low-salt diet, or one with a reduced sodium content.
Drug Precautions
Do not discontinue intake of Norvasc without instructions to do so, even if your general feeling begins to improve; your condition can suffer a relapse. If you have a liver illness, or a cardiac and blood vessel disease like sick sinus syndrome, coronary artery disease, aortic stenosis, cardiac arrest, or low blood pressure, you may not be allowed to take Norvasc without a dose adjustment or sufficient treatment monitoring. You are more susceptible to its adverse effects if you are over sixty-five years old, and you may need a lower dose of the drug. Take extra caution when changing positions, especially if you are standing from a seated or lying position; you may feel dizzy with sudden movements. Try to avoid using alcohol while under medication, as it can lower your blood pressure even further, and the drowsy and dizzying effects of Norvasc may be enhanced.
Drug Interactions
The effectiveness of Norvasc may be enhanced by heart medicines. Tell your doctor about such medications which you may be currently taking, as well as other prescription, herbal, or over-the-counter products.
Side Effects
You may be susceptible to the following severe adverse conditions: allergic reactions which involve labored breathing, inflamed parts of the face, and a constricted sensation in the throat; an irregularly quick or slowed heart rate; psychosis; inflammation of your legs and ankles; extreme dizziness, or a fainting sensation; chest pains; and jaundice. Stop taking Norvasc in such cases and seek medical help at once. If you incur these non-severe conditions, maintain your intake, but while under medical supervision: feebleness; flushing; migraine headaches; unusual, hallucinatory dreams; constant or difficult urination; insomnia; abdominal pain; diarrhea or constipation; and queasiness.
Missed Dose
Take a missed dose immediately after you are reminded of it, but ensure that the next intake is not yet due. On the other hand, skip the intake and follow your usual dosing schedule.
Overdose
The usual signs of a Norvasc overdose may involve chest pains, labored breathing, an irregular hear rate, slurring speech, agitation or vexation, dizziness, and feebleness. If you experience these symptoms, seek medical help immediately.
Storage
Store and dispense Norvasc in a light-resistant container, within maintained room temperatures of 15 to 30C.
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