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Amlodipine Besylate Medication for Diabetes

Amlodipine besylate is a calcium channel blocker prescription drug that is sold under the Norvasc brand name. This drug dilates a patient’s blood vessels and slows heart rate. Doctors may prescribe amlodipine besylate for people with diabetes if they develop heart related complications that require treatment with a calcium channel blocker medication.

  1. Diabetes

    • Diabetes is a chronic disease that causes a patient to develop high blood sugar levels. This condition can develop when insulin levels are low or when insulin does not convert blood sugar, or blood glucose, to fuel for use in the cells of the body. A patient with diabetes is more likely to prevent serious medical complications if he monitors blood sugar levels, takes prescribed medications and follows other recommendations of his doctor.

    Angina and Hypertension

    • Patients with diabetes may develop serious complications such as coronary heart disease and hypertension if their blood sugar levels are allowed to remain high and are not corrected with treatment. Angina is chest discomfort or pain in the chest, a common symptom of coronary heart disease. Hypertension is abnormally high blood pressure that commonly consists of a systolic pressure that is higher than 140 millimeters of mercury or a diastolic pressure that is higher than 90 millimeters of mercury.

    Amlodipine Besylate Uses

    • Doctors may prescribe amlodipine besylate for patients with angina or high blood pressure. Angina results from a lack of oxygen supply to the heart muscle. This drug increases blood flow by dilating blood vessels so that the blood can deliver more oxygen to the heart. Amlodipine besylate also lowers the blood pressure of a patient with hypertension. This drug is taken once per day orally and may be consumed with food or on an empty stomach.

    Amlodipine Besylate Side Effects

    • Patients who take amlodipine besylate should notify a doctor right away if they experience any side effects. Users of this drug may develop heart palpitations, a throbbing or fluttering heartbeat. People may notice flushing of the skin, swelling and fluid retention while they take amlodipine besylate. Unusual headaches have also been reported with this medication. Amlodipine besylate users may also experience fatigue or dizziness. Patients with severe heart disease have noticed an increase in angina symptoms in rare cases.

    Amlodipine Besylate Warnings

    • People who take amlodipine besylate should speak with a doctor before they stop using this drug. A doctor may recommend a reduced dose before a patient stops taking the drug. Amlodipine besylate may be transmitted in breast milk and breastfeeding mothers should discuss the use of this drug with a doctor. Pregnant women and women who plan to have a baby should discuss the proper use of this drug in their situation.

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