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Chemical Name: AMLODIPINE (am-LOE-di-peen) and ATORVASTATIN (a-TORE-va-sta-tin)
This medicine is used to treat patients who require treatment for both high
blood pressure or chest pain and high cholesterol. This medicine contains 2
medicines, amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker used to treat high blood
pressure or chest pain (angina) and atorvastatin, an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor
(also known as a "statin") used to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in
your blood. Reducing high blood pressure and cholesterol levels may help prevent
strokes, heart attacks and kidney problems. This medicine may also be used to
treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM
YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that
you are taking. THIS MEDICINE CONTAINS AMLODIPINE AND ATORVASTATIN. Do not take
other medicines that contain amlodipine or atorvastatin. DO NOT TAKE THIS
MEDICINE if you are also taking gemfibrozil, azole antifungals (such as
itraconazole or ketoconazole), HIV protease inhibitors (such as indinavir or
ritonavir) or mibefradil. If you are currently using any of these medicines,
tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting this medicine. ADDITIONAL
MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking other
medicine for your heart or blood pressure such as beta-blockers (such as
propranolol or atenolol), calcium channel blockers (such as diltiazem or
verapamil), "water pills" (such as spironolactone), amiodarone, or digoxin;
intravenous (IV) calcium; medicine for chest pain (such as nitroglycerin);
"birth control pills"; cyclosporine; certain macrolide antibiotics (such as
clarithromycin, erythromycin, or troleandomycin); certain ketolide antibiotics
(such as telithromycin); fibrate medicine for cholesterol (such as clofibrate or
fenofibrate); high-doses of niacin (1 gram or more per day); fluconazole;
nefazodone; cimetidine; imatinib; macrolide immunosuppressants (such as
sirolimus); medicine for seizures (such as phenytoin or carbamazepine); bosentan;
St. John's wort; voriconazole; rifampin; delavirdine; dalfopristin; or
quinupristin. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist
approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including
congestive heart failure, muscle problems, alcohol use, diabetes, thyroid
problems, kidney problems, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Certain
medical conditions including low blood pressure; severe infection; an infection
in your blood; uncontrolled seizures; or serious metabolic, endocrine, or
electrolyte problems may increase your risk for side effects that can result in
kidney problems while taking this medicine. Contact your doctor immediately if
you develop one of these conditions. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if
you have liver disease or abnormal liver function test results. Contact your
doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this
medicine.
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. This
medicine may be taken on an empty stomach or with food. Do not eat grapefruit or
drink grapefruit juice at the same time you take this medicine. STORE THIS
MEDICINE at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) in a tightly-closed
container away from heat and light. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F
(15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Take this medicine regularly to receive the
most benefit from it. Taking this medicine at the same time each day will help
you to remember. IT IS IMPORTANT TO CONTINUE TAKING THIS MEDICINE even if you
feel well. Most people with high blood pressure or high cholesterol do not feel
sick. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as
soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose
and go back to your regular dosing schedule. DO NOT take 2 doses at once.
DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you are allergic to it or have had an allergic
reaction to any ingredient in this product. IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL weeks for this
medicine to work. Do not stop using this medicine without checking with your
doctor. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE without checking with your doctor.
Laboratory and/or medical tests, including liver function, kidney function,
blood pressure, blood cholesterol and other blood tests may be performed to
monitor your progress or to check for side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND
LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are taking this medicine. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY
MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or
dentist that you are using this medicine. DAILY USE OF ALCOHOL may increase your
chance for serious side effects. LIMIT INTAKE OF ALCOHOL while taking this
medicine. This medicine may cause dizziness. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR
DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to this
medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may
lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. If
dizziness occurs, sit up or stand slowly. IF YOU EXPERIENCE difficulty
breathing; tightness of chest; swelling of eyelids, face, or lips; or if you
develop a rash or hives, tell your doctor immediately. Do not take any more of
this medicine unless your doctor tells you to do so. IF YOU ARE TAKING THIS
MEDICINE FOR ANGINA, it will not relieve the pain of a sudden attack if taken at
the time of the attack. It prevents or reduces the number of angina attacks only
if you take it on a regular schedule. THIS MEDICINE MAY INFREQUENTLY cause
muscle damage. Untreated, this can lead to a very serious condition known as
rhabdomyolysis and kidney damage. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop
muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if they occur with fever or
unusual tiredness. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription
or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. This includes
cough-and-cold products or diet aids because they may contain ingredients that
could increase your heart rate or blood pressure. Ask your pharmacist about the
safe use of these products. WHILE YOU ARE USING THIS MEDICINE, brush and floss
your teeth carefully to reduce swelling and tenderness of your gums. CAUTION IS
ADVISED WHEN USING THIS MEDICINE IN THE ELDERLY because they may be more
sensitive to the effects of this medicine. FOR WOMEN: DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE
if you are pregnant. IF YOU SUSPECT THAT YOU COULD BE PREGNANT, contact your
doctor immediately. It is recommended that women of child-bearing age use
effective birth control measures while taking this medicine, since it may cause
fetal harm. One of the medicines in THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED IN BREAST MILK. DO
NOT BREAST-FEED while taking this medicine.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include dizziness,
tiredness, weakness, headache, nausea, stomach upset or pain, diarrhea,
constipation, gas, and flushing. If they continue or are bothersome, check with
your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience swelling of your
feet or legs; unexplained weight gain; tender, bleeding, or swollen gums; a fast
or irregular heartbeat; worsening chest pain (attacks are more frequent, more
severe, or last longer); yellowing of eyes or skin; dark urine; a change in the
amount of your urine; or pale stools. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY IF YOU
EXPERIENCE joint pain; muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if they
occur with fever or unusual tiredness; sharp or crushing chest pain; sudden
shortness of breath; sudden leg pain; sudden severe headache, vomiting,
dizziness, or fainting; changes in vision; numbness of an arm or leg; or severe
stomach pain. AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO THIS MEDICINE IS UNLIKELY, but seek
immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction
include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you
notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or
pharmacist.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from
doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines
interact with each other. Check drug interactions
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency
room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include dizziness, fainting, and a
fast heartbeat.
FOR BEST RESULTS, this medicine should be used along with exercise, a
low-cholesterol/low-fat diet, and a weight loss program if you are overweight.
FOLLOW THE DIETARY PLAN provided by your doctor. Have your blood pressure
checked regularly while taking this medicine. It may be best to learn how to
monitor your own blood pressure. Consult with your doctor. DO NOT SHARE THIS
MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE
for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children. IF
YOU WILL BE USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, be sure to
obtain necessary refills before your supply runs out.
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