Amlodipine Atorvastatin

Amlodipine/atorvastatin is a prescription medicine used to treat people with high blood pressure and high cholesterol. It is a single tablet containing two medications, amlodipine and atorvastatin.

Amlodipine belongs to a group of medications called calcium channel blockers. It works by relaxing blood vessels so the heart does not need to pump as hard. Atorvastatin belongs to a group of medications called statins (or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors). It works by blocking an enzyme that affects the rate of production of cholesterol in the body.

Amlodipine/atorvastatin comes in a tablet form and is taken by mouth, once a day, with or without food.

Amlodipine & Atorvastatin is part of the drug class:

• HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, other combinations

Common side effects of amlodipine/atorvastatin include:

• headache
• tiredness
• stomach pain
• upset stomach
• swelling of your legs or ankles (edema)
• hot or warm feeling in your face (flushing)
• irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) very fast heartbeat (heart palpitations)
• muscle and joint pain
• alterations in some laboratory blood tests
• dizziness
• extreme sleepiness
• nausea
• diarrhea

This is not a complete list of amlodipine/atorvastatin side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

See "Drug Precautions" for risks associated with amlodipine/atorvastatin.

Amlodipine/atorvastatin includes a statin medication called atorvastatin. Statin medications carry a rare but serious risk of:

• liver damage
• memory loss or confusion
• increase in blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia)
• type 2 diabetes
• immune-mediated muscle breakdown

Certain statins can increase risk of muscle weakness as well. It is important to consult your physician to discuss the benefits and risks associated with using this medication.

Call your doctor right away if you:

• have muscle problems like weakness, tenderness, or pain that happen without a good reason, especially if you also have a fever or feel more tired than usual
• have nausea and vomiting, or stomach pain
• are passing brown or dark-colored urine
• feel more tired than usual
• have yellowing of skin and white of your eyes
• have allergic skin reactions
• have chest pain that does not go away or gets worse

Sometimes, when you start amlodipine/atorvastatin or increase your dose, chest pain can get worse or a heart attack can happen. If this happens, call your doctor or go to the emergency room right away.

Amlodipine/atorvastatin can cause allergic reactions including swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and/or throat that may cause difficulty in breathing or swallowing which may require treatment right away.

Do not use amlodipine/atorvastatin if you:

• are allergic to any ingredient in amlodipine/atorvastatin
• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• have liver problems

Amlodipine/atorvastatin may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how this medication affects you.

Eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice may increase the amount of amlodipine/atorvastatin in your blood, which may increase your risk of serious side effects. Avoid large amounts of grapefruit juice.

Drinking alcohol daily or in large amounts may increase the risk of liver problems with amlodipine/atorvastatin.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. You should not use amlodipine/atorvastatin if you are breastfeeding. It may be excreted in your breast milk and may harm your nursing child.

• Store amlodipine/atorvastatin at room temperature, 68˚ to 77°F (20 to 25°C).
• Do not keep medicine that is out-of-date or that you no longer need.
• Keep amlodipine/atorvastatin and all medicines out of the reach of children. Keep medicines in places where children cannot get it.