Components:
Method of action:
Treatment option:
Medically reviewed by Oliinyk Elizabeth Ivanovna, PharmD. Last updated on 31.03.2022
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- Hypertension
- Chronic stable angina pectoris
- Vasospastic (Prinzmetal's) angina
Posology
Adults
For both hypertension and angina the usual initial dose is 5 mg Nortens (Amlodipine) once daily which may be increased to a maximum dose of 10 mg depending on the individual patient's response.
In hypertensive patients, Nortens (Amlodipine) has been used in combination with a thiazide diuretic, alpha blocker, beta blocker, or an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor. For angina, Nortens (Amlodipine) may be used as monotherapy or in combination with other antianginal medicinal products in patients with angina that is refractory to nitrates and/or to adequate doses of beta blockers.
No dose adjustment of Nortens (Amlodipine) is required upon concomitant administration of thiazide diuretics, beta blockers, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.
Paediatric population
Use in children and adolescents (less than 18 years of age)
Not recommended.
Special populations
Use in the elderly
Nortens (Amlodipine), used at similar doses in elderly or younger patients, is equally well tolerated. Therefore normal dosage regimens are recommended in the elderly, but increase of the dosage should take palce with care.
Patients with hepatic impairment
Dosage recommendations have not been established in patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment; therefore dose selection should be cautious and should start at the lower end of the dosing range. The pharmacokinetics of Nortens (Amlodipine) have not been studied in severe hepatic impairment. Nortens (Amlodipine) should be initiated at the lowest dose and titrated slowly in patients with severe hepatic impairment.
Patients with renal impairment
Changes in Nortens (Amlodipine) plasma concentrations are not correlated with degree of renal impairment, therefore the normal dosage is recommended. Nortens (Amlodipine) is not dialysable.
Method of administration
Tablet for oral administration.
Nortens (Amlodipine) is contraindicated in patients with:
-
- severe hypotension.
- shock (including cardiogenic shock).
- obstruction of the outflow tract of the left ventricle (e.g., high grade aortic stenosis).
- haemodynamically unstable heart failure after acute myocardial infarction.
The safety and efficacy of Nortens (Amlodipine) in hypertensive crisis has not been established.
Use in patients with cardiac failure
Patients with heart failure should be treated with caution. In a long term, placebo controlled study, in patients with severe heart failure (NYHA class III and IV) Nortens (Amlodipine) was associated with increased reports of pulmonary oedema despite no significant difference in the incidence of worsening heart failure as compared to placebo. Calcium channel blockers, including Nortens (Amlodipine), should be used with caution in patients with congestive heart failure, as they may increase the risk of future cardiovascular events and mortality.
Use in patients with hepatic impairment
As with all calcium antagonists, Nortens (Amlodipine)'s half-life is prolonged and AUC values are higher in patients with impaired liver function; dosage recommendations have not been established. The drug should therefore be initiated at the lower end of the dosing range and caution should be used, both on initial treatment and when increasing the dose. Slow dose titration and careful monitoring may be required in patients with severe hepatic impairment.
Elderly patients
In the elderly increase of the dosage should take place with care.
Patients with renal impairment
Nortens (Amlodipine) may be used in such patients at normal doses. Changes in Nortens (Amlodipine) plasma concentrations are not correlated with degree of renal impairment. Nortens (Amlodipine) is not dialysable.
Nortens (Amlodipine) can have minor or moderate influence on the ability to drive and use machines. In patients suffering from dizziness, headache, fatigue or nausea the ability to react may be impaired. Caution is recommended especially at the start of treatment.
a) Summary of the safety profile
The most commonly reported adverse reactions during treatment are somnolence, dizziness, headache, palpitations, flushing, abdominal pain, nausea, ankle swelling, oedema and fatigue.
b) Tabulated list of adverse reactions
The following adverse reactions have been observed and reported during treatment with Nortens (Amlodipine) with the following frequencies: Very common (>1/10); common (>1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (>1/1,000 to <1/100); rare (>1/10,000 to <1/1,000); very rare (<1/10,000); Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).
Within each frequency grouping, adverse reactions are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.
| System organ class | Frequency | Adverse reactions |
| Blood and lymphatic system disorders | Very rare | Leukopenia , thrombocytopenia |
| Immune system disorders | Very rare | Allergic reactions |
| Metabolism and nutrition disorders | Very rare | Hyperglycaemia |
| Psychiatric disorders | Uncommon | Insomnia, mood changes (including anxiety), depression |
| Rare | Confusion | |
| Nervous system disorders | Common | Somnolence, dizziness, headache (especially at the beginning of the treatment) |
| Uncommon | Tremor, dysgeusia, syncope, hypoesthesia, paraesthesia | |
| Very rare | Hypertonia, peripheral neuropathy | |
| Eye disorders | Uncommon | Visual disturbance (including diplopia) |
| Ear and labyrinth disorders | Uncommon | Tinnitus |
| Cardiac disorders | Common | Palpitations |
| Uncommon | Arrhythmia (including bradycardia, ventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation) | |
| Very rare | Myocardial infarction | |
| Vascular disorders | Common | Flushing |
| Uncommon | Hypotension | |
| Very rare | Vasculitis | |
| Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | Uncommon | Dyspnoea |
| Very rare | Cough, rhinitis | |
| Gastrointestinal disorders | Common | Abdominal pain, nausea, dyspepsia, altered bowel habits (including diarrhoea and constipation), |
| Uncommon | Vomiting, dry mouth | |
| Very rare | Pancreatitis, gastritis, gingival hyperplasia | |
| Hepatobiliary disorders | Very rare | Hepatitis, jaundice, hepatic enzymes increased* |
| Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | Uncommon | Alopecia, purpura, skin discolouration, hyperhidrosis, pruritus, rash, exanthema, urticaria |
| Very rare | Angioedema, erythema multiforme, urticaria, exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Quincke oedema, photosensitivity | |
| Not known | Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis | |
| Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | Common | Ankle swelling, muscle cramps |
| Uncommon | Arthralgia, myalgia, back pain | |
| Renal and urinary disorders | Uncommon | Micturition disorder, nocturia, increased urinary frequency |
| Reproductive system and breast disorders | Uncommon | Impotence, gynaecomastia |
| General disorders and administration site conditions | Very common | Oedema |
| Common | Fatigue, asthenia | |
| Uncommon | Chest pain, pain, malaise | |
| Investigations | Uncommon | Weight increased, weight decreased |
*mostly consistent with cholestasis
Exceptional cases of extrapyramidal syndrome have been reported.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
In humans, experience with intentional overdose is limited.
Symptoms
Available data suggest that gross overdosage could result in excessive peripheral vasodilatation and possibly reflex tachycardia. Marked and probably prolonged systemic hypotension up to and including shock with fatal outcome have been reported.
Treatment
Clinically significant hypotension due to Nortens (Amlodipine) overdosage calls for active cardiovascular support including frequent monitoring of cardiac and respiratory function, elevation of extremities, and attention to circulating fluid volume and urine output.
A vasoconstrictor may be helpful in restoring vascular tone and blood pressure, provided that there is no contraindication to its use. Intravenous calcium gluconate may be beneficial in reversing the effects of calcium channel blockade.
Gastric lavage may be worthwhile in some cases. In healthy volunteers, the use of charcoal up to 2h after administration of Nortens (Amlodipine) 10 mg has been shown to reduce the absorption rate of Nortens (Amlodipine).
Since Nortens (Amlodipine) is highly protein-bound, dialysis is not likely to be of benefit.
Pharmacotherapeutic group: calcium channel blockers - Dihydropyridine derivatives.
ATC code: C08CA01.
Nortens (Amlodipine) is a calcium ion influx inhibitor of the dihydropyridine group (slow channel blocker or calcium ion antagonist) and inhibits the transmembrane influx of calcium ions into cardiac and vascular smooth muscle.
The mechanism of the antihypertensive action of Nortens (Amlodipine) is due to a direct relaxant effect on vascular smooth muscle. The precise mechanism by which Nortens (Amlodipine) relieves angina has not been fully determined but Nortens (Amlodipine) reduces total ischaemic burden by the following two actions:
1) Nortens (Amlodipine) dilates peripheral arterioles and thus, reduces the total peripheral resistance (afterload) against which the heart works. Since the heart rate remains stable, this unloading of the heart reduces myocardial energy consumption and oxygen requirements.
2) The mechanism of action of Nortens (Amlodipine) also probably involves dilatation of the main coronary arteries and coronary arterioles, both in normal and ischaemic regions. This dilatation increases myocardial oxygen delivery in patients with coronary artery spasm (Prinzmetal's or variant angina).
In patients with hypertension, once daily dosing provides clinically significant reductions of blood pressure in both the supine and standing positions throughout the 24 hour interval. Due to the slow onset of action, acute hypotension is not a feature of Nortens (Amlodipine) administration.
In patients with angina, once daily administration of Nortens (Amlodipine) increases total exercise time, time to angina onset, and time to 1mm ST segment depression, and decreases both angina attack frequency and glyceryl trinitrate tablet consumption.
Nortens (Amlodipine) has not been associated with any adverse metabolic effects or changes in plasma lipids and is suitable for use in patients with asthma, diabetes, and gout.
Use in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD)
The effectiveness of Nortens (Amlodipine) in preventing clinical events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) has been evaluated in an independent, multi-centre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 1997 patients; Comparison of Nortens (Amlodipine) vs. Enalapril to Limit Occurrences of Thrombosis (CAMELOT). Of these patients, 663 were treated with Nortens (Amlodipine) 5-10 mg, 673 patients were treated with enalapril 10-20 mg, and 655 patients were treated with placebo, in addition to standard care of statins, beta-blockers, diuretics and aspirin, for 2 years. The key efficacy results are presented in Table 1. The results indicate that Nortens (Amlodipine) treatment was associated with fewer hospitalizations for angina and revascularization procedures in patients with CAD.
| Table 1. Incidence of significant clinical outcomes for CAMELOT | |||||
| Cardiovascular event rates, No. (%) | Amlopidine vs. Placebo | ||||
| Outcomes | Amlopidine | Placebo | Enalapril | Hazard Ratio (95% CI) | P Value |
| Primary Endpoint | |||||
| Adverse cardiovascular events | 110 (16.6) | 151 (23.1) | 136 (20.2) | 0.69 (0.54-0.88) | .003 |
| Individual Components | |||||
| Coronary revascularization | 78 (11.8) | 103 (15.7) | 95 (14.1) | 0.73 (0.54-0.98) | .03 |
| Hospitalization for angina | 51 (7.7) | 84 (12.8) | 86 (12.8) | 0.58 (0.41-0.82) | .002 |
| Nonfatal MI | 14 (2.1) | 19 (2.9) | 11 (1.6) | 0.73 (0.37-1.46) | .37 |
| Stroke or TIA | 6 (0.9) | 12 (1.8) | 8 (1.2) | 0.50 (0.19-1.32) | .15 |
| Cardiovascular death | 5 (0.8) | 2 (0.3) | 5 (0.7) | 2.46 (0.48-12.7) | .27 |
| Hospitalization for CHF | 3 (0.5) | 5 (0.8) | 4 (0.6) | 0.59 (0.14-2.47) | .46 |
| Resuscitated cardiac arrest | 0 | 4 (0.6) | 1 (0.1) | NA | .04 |
| New-onset peripheral vascular disease | 5 (0.8) | 2 (0.3) | 8 (1.2) | 2.6 (0.50-13.4) | .24 |
Abbreviations: CHF, congestive heart failure; CI, confidence interval; MI, myocardial infarction; TIA, transient ischemic attack.
Use in patients with heart failure
Haemodynamic studies and exercise based controlled clinical trials in NYHA Class II-IV heart failure patients have shown that Nortens (Amlodipine) did not lead to clinical deterioration as measured by exercise tolerance, left ventricular ejection fraction and clinical symptomatology.
A placebo controlled study (PRAISE) designed to evaluate patients in NYHA Class III-IV heart failure receiving digoxin, diuretics and ACE inhibitors has shown that Nortens (Amlodipine) did not lead to an increase in risk of mortality or combined mortality and morbidity with heart failure.
In a follow-up, long term, placebo-controlled study (PRAISE-2) in patients with NYHA III and IV heart failure without clinical symptoms or objective findings suggestive of underlying ischaemic disease, on stable doses of ACE inhibitors, digitalis, and diuretics, Nortens (Amlodipine) had no effect on total cardiovascular mortality. In this same population Nortens (Amlodipine) was associated with increased reports of pulmonary oedema despite no significant difference in the incidence of worsening heart failure as compared to placebo.
Treatment to prevent heart attack trial (ALLHAT)
A randomized double-blind morbidity-mortality study called the Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT) was performed to compare newer drug therapies: Nortens (Amlodipine) 2.5-10 mg/d (calcium channel blocker) or lisinopril 10-40 mg/d (ACE-inhibitor) as first-line therapies to that of the thiazide-diuretic, chlorthalidone 12.5-25 mg/d in mild to moderate hypertension.
A total of 33,357 hypertensive patients aged 55 or older were randomized and followed for a mean of 4.9 years. The patients had at least one additional CHD risk factor, including: previous myocardial infarction or stroke (> 6 months prior to enrollment) or documentation of other atherosclerotic CVD (overall 51.5%), type 2 diabetes (36.1%), HDL-C < 35 mg/dL (11.6%), left ventricular hypertrophy diagnosed by electrocardiogram or echocardiography (20.9%), current cigarette smoking (21.9%).
The primary endpoint was a composite of fatal CHD or non-fatal myocardial infarction. There was no significant difference in the primary endpoint between Nortens (Amlodipine)-based therapy and chlorthalidone-based therapy: RR 0.98 95% CI (0.90-1.07) p=0.65. Among secondary endpoints, the incidence of heart failure (component of a composite combined cardiovascular endpoint) was significantly higher in the Nortens (Amlodipine) group as compared to the chlorthalidone group (10.2% vs. 7.7%, RR 1.38, 95% CI [1.25-1.52] p<0.001). However, there was no significant difference in all-cause mortality between Nortens (Amlodipine)-based therapy and chlorthalidone-based therapy. RR 0.96 95% CI [0.89-1.02] p=0.20.
Use in children (aged 6 years and older)
In a study involving 268 children aged 6-17 years with predominantly secondary hypertension, comparison of a 2.5 mg dose, and 5.0 mg dose of Nortens (Amlodipine) with placebo, showed that both doses reduced systolic blood pressure significantly more than placebo. The difference between the two doses was not statistically significant.
The long-term effects of Nortens (Amlodipine) on growth, puberty and general development have not been studied. The long-term efficacy of Nortens (Amlodipine) on therapy in childhood to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in adulthood has also not been established.
Absorption, distribution, plasma protein binding
After oral administration of therapeutic doses, Nortens (Amlodipine) is well absorbed with peak blood levels between 6-12 hours post dose. Absolute bioavailability has been estimated to be between 64 and 80%. The volume of distribution is approximately 21 l/kg. In vitro studies have shown that approximately 97.5% of circulating Nortens (Amlodipine) is bound to plasma proteins.
The bioavailability of Nortens (Amlodipine) is not affected by food intake.
Biotransformation/elimination
The terminal plasma elimination half life is about 35-50 hours and is consistent with once daily dosing. Nortens (Amlodipine) is extensively metabolised by the liver to inactive metabolites with 10% of the parent compound and 60% of metabolites excreted in the urine.
Hepatic impairment
Very limited clinical data are available regarding Nortens (Amlodipine) administration in patients with hepatic impairment. Patients with hepatic insufficiency have decreased clearance of Nortens (Amlodipine) resulting in a longer half-life and an increase in AUC of approximately 40-60%.
Paediatric population
A population PK study has been conducted in 74 hypertensive children aged from 1 to 17 years (with 34 patients aged 6 to 12 years and 28 patients aged 13 to 17 years) receiving Nortens (Amlodipine) between 1.25 and 20 mg given either once or twice daily. In children 6 to 12 years and in adolescents 13-17 years of age the typical oral clearance (CL/F) was 22.5 and 27.4 L/hr respectively in males and 16.4 and 21.3 L/hr respectively in females. Large variability in exposure between individuals was observed. Data reported in children below 6 years is limited.
Use in the elderly
The time to reach peak plasma concentrations of Nortens (Amlodipine) is similar in elderly and younger subjects. Nortens (Amlodipine) clearance tends to be decreased with resulting increases in AUC and elimination half-life in elderly patients. Increases in AUC and elimination half-life in patients with congestive heart failure were as expected for the patient age group studied.
Reproductive toxicology
Reproductive studies in rats and mice have shown delayed date of delivery, prolonged duration of labour and decreased pup survival at dosages approximately 50 times greater than the maximum recommended dosage for humans based on mg/kg.
Impairment of fertility
There was no effect on the fertility of rats treated with Nortens (Amlodipine) (males for 64 days and females 14 days prior to mating) at doses up to 10 mg/kg/day (8 times* the maximum recommended human dose of 10 mg on a mg/m2 basis). In another rat study in which male rats were treated with Nortens (Amlodipine) besilate for 30 days at a dose comparable with the human dose based on mg/kg, decreased plasma follicle-stimulating hormone and testosterone were found as well as decreases in sperm density and in the number of mature spermatids and Sertoli cells.
Carcinogenesis, mutagenesis
Rats and mice treated with Nortens (Amlodipine) in the diet for two years, at concentrations calculated to provide daily dosage levels of 0.5, 1.25, and 2.5 mg/kg/day showed no evidence of carcinogenicity. The highest dose (for mice, similar to, and for rats twice* the maximum recommended clinical dose of 10 mg on a mg/m2 basis) was close to the maximum tolerated dose for mice but not for rats.
Mutagenicity studies revealed no drug related effects at either the gene or chromosome levels.
*Based on patient weight of 50 kg
None stated.
No special requirements.
