Read this medicine information sheet carefully each time you get this medicine filled. You must carefully read the "Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer" below in order to understand and correctly use this information.
Amlodipine and Atorvastatin
Pronunciation (am LOW di peen & a TORE va sta tin)
Brand Names: US Caduet.
Brand Names: Canada APO-Amlodipine-Atorvastatin; Caduet; MYLAN-Amlodipine/Atorvastatin; PMS-Amlodipine-Atorvastatin [DSC].
What is this drug used for?
- It is used to treat high blood pressure.
- It is used to lower bad cholesterol, lower triglycerides, and raise good cholesterol (HDL).
- It is used to treat some types of chest pain (angina).
- It is used to lower the chance of having to go to the hospital for chest pain (angina) or heart failure (weak heart); needing certain heart procedures; or heart attack, stroke, or death in some people.
- It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.
What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take this drug?
- If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
- If you have liver disease or raised liver enzymes.
- If you are taking any of these drugs: Cyclosporine, gemfibrozil, glecaprevir plus pibrentasvir, letermovir, or tipranavir plus ritonavir.
- If you are taking any of these drugs: Cimetidine, ketoconazole, or spironolactone.
- If you are pregnant or may be pregnant. Do not take this drug if you are pregnant.
- If you are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you take this drug.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take this drug?
- Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how this drug affects you.
- To lower the chance of feeling dizzy or passing out, rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down. Be careful going up and down stairs.
- Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
- Check your blood pressure as you have been told.
- If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), you will need to watch your blood sugar closely.
- Talk with your doctor before using OTC products that may raise blood pressure. These include cough or cold drugs, diet pills, stimulants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen, and some natural products or aids.
- Avoid or limit drinking alcohol to 2 drinks a day. Drinking too much alcohol may raise your chance of liver disease.
- If you drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit often, talk with your doctor.
- Follow the diet and exercise plan that your doctor told you about.
- If you are taking this drug for chest pain, it will not treat chest pain as it happens. This drug is only used to prevent or lower the number of chest pain attacks.
- It is rare, but chest pain that is new or worse can happen after this drug is first started or after the dose is raised. Heart attack can also happen. The risk may be greater in people who have very bad heart blood vessel disease. Talk with the doctor.
- If you are 65 or older, use this drug with care. You could have more side effects.
- This drug may cause harm to an unborn baby. If you may become pregnant, you must use birth control while taking this drug. If you get pregnant, call your doctor right away.
What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI) like blood in the urine, burning or pain when passing urine, feeling the need to pass urine often or right away, fever, lower stomach pain, or pelvic pain.
- Weakness on 1 side of the body, trouble speaking or thinking, change in balance, drooping on one side of the face, or blurred eyesight.
- Severe dizziness or passing out.
- Shortness of breath, a big weight gain, or swelling in the arms or legs.
- Chest pain that is new or worse.
- Stiff muscles, shakiness, or muscle movements that are not normal.
- This drug may cause muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness. The risk may be raised if you have low thyroid function or kidney problems. It may also be raised if you take this drug with certain other drugs, or if you are 65 or older. Sometimes, a severe muscle problem may lead to kidney problems. Rarely, deaths have happened. Call your doctor right away if you have abnormal muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness (with or without fever or feeling out of sorts). Call your doctor right away if muscle problems last after your doctor has told you to stop taking this drug.
- Liver problems have happened with this drug. Sometimes, these have been deadly. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of liver problems like dark urine, tiredness, decreased appetite, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
What are some other side effects of this drug?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
- Feeling dizzy, tired, or weak.
- Nose or throat irritation.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
How is this drug best taken?
Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
- Take with or without food.
- Do not break this drug. Talk with your doctor if you cannot swallow the tablet.
- Take this drug at the same time of day.
- Keep taking this drug as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
- Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
- If it is less than 12 hours until the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
- Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
How do I store and/or throw out this drug?
- Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
General drug facts
- If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
- Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider's examination and assessment of a patient's specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.
Issue Date: September 4, 2024
Database Edition 24.3.3.010
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