Hollyvas: A Brand of Amlodipine for Blood Pressure and Chest Pain

What it is

Hollyvas is a brand name for the generic medicine amlodipine. Amlodipine belongs to a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers. It works by relaxing blood vessels, which helps lower blood pressure and improve blood flow to the heart.

What it's used for

Hollyvas (amlodipine) is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults and children aged 6 years and older. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of strokes and heart attacks. It is also used for certain types of chest pain: chronic stable angina (chest pain during activity), vasospastic angina (chest pain from spasms in heart arteries), and for patients with coronary artery disease shown on an angiogram who do not have heart failure or a very weak heart pump.

How it's taken

The usual starting dose for adults is 5 mg taken by mouth once daily, with a maximum dose of 10 mg once daily. For small, fragile, or elderly patients, or those with liver problems, a lower starting dose of 2.5 mg once daily may be used. For children, the starting dose is typically 2.5 mg to 5 mg once daily. Always follow the dose your doctor prescribes and do not change it without medical advice.

Common side effects

The most common side effects of amlodipine include swelling of the ankles or feet (oedema), dizziness, flushing (redness and warmth of the face), and palpitations (feeling your heart beat). These side effects tend to increase with higher doses. Other side effects that occur in more than 1% of patients are fatigue and nausea.

Important cautions

Do not take Hollyvas if you are allergic to amlodipine. It can cause low blood pressure (symptomatic hypotension), especially in people with severe narrowing of the aortic heart valve. In patients with severe coronary artery disease, starting or increasing the dose may rarely worsen chest pain or trigger a heart attack. If you have severe liver disease, your doctor will start you on a low dose and increase it slowly. Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and medicines you take.

Frequently asked questions