Norvasc Precautions and possible side effects

Before taking Norvasc, tell your doctor if:

you are allergic to any medicines;
you suffer from liver problems or heart failure;
you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant, or you are breast-feeding.

Check your blood pressure and pulse rate regularly; this is important while you are taking Norvasc. Ask your prescriber or health care professional what your blood pressure and pulse rate should be and when you should contact him or her. You may feel dizzy or lightheaded. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how amlodipine affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells, do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Avoid alcoholic drinks; they can make you more dizzy, increase flushing and rapid heartbeats. Do not suddenly stop taking Norvasc. Ask your prescriber or health care professional how you can gradually reduce the dose. If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking Norvas.

Do not take Norvasc with any of the following:; alfuzosin Norvasc may also interact with the following medications:; antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen); barbiturates such as phenobarbital; bosentan; grapefruit juice; herbal or dietary supplements such as ginger, gingko biloba, ginseng, hawthorn, ma huang (ephedra), melatonin, St. John's wort, went yeast; imatinib, STI-571; local anesthetics or general anesthetics; medicines for fungal infections (fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole); medicines for high blood pressure; medicines for HIV infection or AIDS; medicines for prostate problems; medicines for seizures (carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, zonisamide); quinine; rifampin, rifapentine, or rifabutin; some antibiotics (clarithromycin, erythromycin, norfloxacin, telithromycin, troleandomycin); some medicines for heart-rhythm problems (amiodarone, diltiazem, verapamil); some medicines for depression or mental problems (fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, nefazodone); water pills (diuretics); yohimbine; zafirlukast; zileuton Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:; fainting spells, lightheadedness; irregular heartbeat, chest pain, palpitations; swelling of legs and ankles Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):; drowsiness or dizziness; facial flushing; headache; nausea, vomiting; stomach pain or gas; unusual weakness or tiredness