Afadopine-10 (Amlodipine): A Calcium Channel Blocker for Blood Pressure and Chest Pain

What it is

Afadopine-10 is a brand of amlodipine. Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker – a type of medicine that relaxes blood vessels to lower blood pressure and improve blood flow to the heart.

What it's used for

Afadopine-10 is used for the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure) in adults and children aged 6 years and older. It is also used for coronary artery disease, including chronic stable angina (chest pain on exertion) and vasospastic angina (Prinzmetal's or variant angina).

How it's taken

Afadopine-10 is an oral tablet taken by mouth. The typical adult starting dose is 5 mg once daily, with a maximum dose of 10 mg once daily. Smaller, fragile, or elderly patients, or those with liver problems may start with 2.5 mg once daily. For children aged 6 years and older, the starting dose is typically 2.5 mg to 5 mg once daily. Always follow your doctor’s prescription exactly.

Common side effects

The most common side effects of amlodipine include swelling of the ankles or feet (edema), dizziness, flushing, and palpitations (awareness of heartbeat). These occur more often with higher doses. Other side effects reported in more than 1% of patients are fatigue and nausea.

Important cautions

Do not use Afadopine-10 if you are allergic (sensitive) to amlodipine. Symptomatic low blood pressure (hypotension) may occur, especially if you have severe narrowing of the aortic heart valve. In people with severe narrowing of the coronary arteries, starting or increasing the dose may rarely worsen chest pain or cause a heart attack. In patients with severe liver disease, the dose should be increased slowly. These are not all precautions; discuss your full medical history with your doctor or pharmacist.

Frequently asked questions