AMTAS-10

Description

AMTAS-10 contains Amlodipine 10mg as its active ingredient. Amlodipine belongs to a class of medications called Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs), specifically a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker.

Here’s a comprehensive overview of AMTAS-10:

Active Ingredient: Amlodipine 10mg Drug Class: Calcium Channel Blocker (Dihydropyridine)

Uses of AMTAS-10 (Amlodipine 10mg):

AMTAS-10 is primarily used to treat various cardiovascular conditions:

• Hypertension (High Blood Pressure): It works by relaxing and widening blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure and reduces the workload on the heart. This helps prevent serious complications like strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems.
• Angina Pectoris (Chest Pain):
  • Chronic Stable Angina: It improves blood flow to the heart muscle, thereby reducing the frequency and severity of angina attacks and increasing exercise tolerance.
  • Vasospastic Angina (Prinzmetal’s or Variant Angina): It helps prevent spasms of the coronary arteries, which can cause chest pain.
• Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): In patients with confirmed CAD, Amlodipine can help reduce the risk of hospitalization for angina and the need for revascularization procedures.

How it Works:

Amlodipine works by inhibiting the influx of calcium ions into the smooth muscle cells of the blood vessels and, to a lesser extent, into the heart muscle cells. This action leads to:

• Vasodilation: It causes blood vessels to relax and widen, reducing the resistance to blood flow and thereby lowering blood pressure.
• Improved Blood Flow to the Heart: By dilating coronary arteries, it increases the supply of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle, which helps relieve angina.
• Reduced Cardiac Workload: By lowering blood pressure and improving blood flow, it reduces the strain on the heart.

Dosage and Administration:

• AMTAS-10 (Amlodipine 10mg) is a common dose. The typical starting dose for adults is often 5mg once daily, and if needed, it can be increased to a maximum of 10mg once daily.
• It is usually taken once daily, with or without food.
• For best results, try to take it at approximately the same time each day to maintain consistent levels in your body.
• Do NOT stop taking AMTAS-10 suddenly without consulting your doctor, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms, and stopping the medication abruptly can cause your blood pressure to rise significantly, increasing the risk of serious cardiovascular events.

Common Side Effects:

Amlodipine is generally well-tolerated, but some common side effects include:

• Ankle swelling or edema (swelling in the feet or ankles): This is one of the most common side effects.
• Headache
• Dizziness, lightheadedness
• Flushing (sense of warmth or redness in the face, ears, neck, and trunk)
• Fatigue, tiredness
• Nausea, abdominal pain, upset stomach
• Palpitations (awareness of your heartbeat)
• Sleepiness (somnolence), especially at the beginning of treatment
• Muscle cramps
• Visual disturbances (e.g., double vision)

Serious Side Effects (Seek immediate medical attention if you experience these):

• Angioedema: Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, which can cause difficulty breathing or swallowing. This is a rare but serious allergic reaction.
• Severe Hypotension: Fainting, severe dizziness, particularly when standing up.
• Severe chest pain or worsening angina: While used for angina, paradoxically, some individuals (especially those with severe obstructive coronary artery disease) may experience worsening angina or even a heart attack when starting or increasing the dose of a CCB.
• Liver problems: Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), dark urine, persistent nausea/vomiting, severe stomach pain.
• Very slow heart rate or irregular heartbeats.
• Severe skin reactions: Intense skin rash, hives, blistering, peeling, or swelling of the skin (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis).

Warnings and Precautions:

• Pregnancy: AMTAS-10 (Amlodipine) is generally not recommended during pregnancy unless clearly necessary, as there is evidence of risk to the fetus. Discuss with your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to conceive.
• Breastfeeding: Amlodipine passes into breast milk in small amounts. Consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
• Hypotension: Use with caution in patients with very low blood pressure or cardiogenic shock, as it can further lower blood pressure.
• Liver Impairment: Use with caution in patients with liver disease, as Amlodipine is metabolized in the liver, and dose adjustments may be needed.
• Heart Failure: Use with caution in patients with heart failure. While Amlodipine can be used in some cases, it can worsen symptoms in others, especially if there’s severe heart failure.
• Aortic Stenosis: Use with caution in patients with severe aortic stenosis (narrowing of the main artery from the heart).
• Elderly Patients: Elderly patients may be more sensitive to the effects and side effects of Amlodipine.
• Grapefruit Juice: Avoid consuming grapefruit juice while taking Amlodipine, as it can increase the concentration of Amlodipine in the blood, potentially leading to increased side effects.
• Driving & Operating Machinery: AMTAS-10 can cause dizziness, sleepiness, or blurred vision, especially at the beginning of treatment. Exercise caution when driving or operating machinery.

Drug Interactions:

Inform your doctor about all prescription, over-the-counter medications, herbal remedies (e.g., St. John’s Wort), and supplements you are taking, especially:

• Other blood pressure-lowering medications: (e.g., ACE inhibitors, ARBs, diuretics, other beta-blockers). Can lead to an additive blood pressure-lowering effect.
• CYP3A4 Inhibitors: Medications that inhibit the CYP3A4 enzyme (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir, erythromycin, clarithromycin, diltiazem) can increase Amlodipine levels in the blood, potentially leading to increased side effects.
• CYP3A4 Inducers: Medications that induce the CYP3A4 enzyme (e.g., rifampicin, carbamazepine, dexamethasone, phenobarbital, phenytoin) can decrease Amlodipine levels, potentially reducing its effectiveness.
• Simvastatin: Amlodipine can increase the systemic exposure of simvastatin (a cholesterol-lowering drug). The dose of simvastatin may need to be limited to 20 mg daily in patients taking Amlodipine.
• Immunosuppressants (e.g., cyclosporine, tacrolimus): Amlodipine may increase their systemic exposure.
• Sildenafil (Viagra) and other PDE5 inhibitors: Can lead to additive blood pressure-lowering effects.
• Lithium: Close monitoring of lithium levels is advised if taken concurrently.

AMTAS-10 (Amlodipine) is a commonly available medication in Nepal, including Letang, Koshi Province. Always use it strictly as prescribed by your healthcare provider.