Information on the Side Effects of Norvasc

Norvasc is the brand name for the prescription medication amlodipine besylate. Despite its effectiveness at lowering blood pressure levels in the treatment of hypertension, Norvac poses a risk for side effects in some patients.

Types of Common Side Effects

• The most common side effects of Norvasc include swelling of your lower extremities, dizziness, flushing, a feeling of fluttering in your chest or palpitations, headache, fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain and drowsiness.

Significance

• The most common side effects of Norvasc occur in between one and ten percent of users and become more likely at higher doses, according to FDA clinical trials published on RxList.

Time Frame

• The most common side effects of Norvasc occur more frequently when treatment with the drug begins and gradually diminish as your body becomes acclimated to the affects of the medication, reports the Mayo Clinic.

Risks

• Infrequently, use of Norvasc causes heart attacks or sever angina. Those with an an underlying heart condition are more likely to suffer from cardiovascular side effects of Norvasc, explains RxList.

Considerations

• Because the effects of the drug upon fetal development are unknown, doctors avoid prescribing Norvasc for pregnant women unless there is no safe alternative to the drug. If you have a history of congestive heart failure, liver disease or very low blood pressure, it may not be safe for you to take Norvasc due to its possible side effects, warns the Mayo Clinic.