Amlodipine Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 11, 2023.

Applies to the following strengths: 2.5 mg; 5 mg; 10 mg; 1 mg/mL

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension

Initial dose: 5 mg orally once a day
Maintenance dose: 5 to 10 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 10 mg/day

Comments:

Patients who are small or fragile may be started on 2.5 mg orally once a day.
The dosage should be adjusted according to patient response. In general, titration should proceed over 7 to 14 days. If clinically warranted, titration may proceed more rapidly, provided the patient is assessed frequently.

Use:

Alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents to treat hypertension

Usual Adult Dose for Angina Pectoris

Maintenance dose: 5 to 10 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 10 mg/day

Comments:

In clinical studies, most patients with angina or coronary artery disease (CAD) required 10 mg orally once a day.
The dosage should be adjusted according to patient response. In general, titration should proceed over 7 to 14 days. If clinically warranted, titration may proceed more rapidly, provided the patient is assessed frequently.

Uses:

Alone or in combination with other antianginal agents for the symptomatic treatment of chronic stable angina
Alone or in combination with other antianginal agents for the treatment of confirmed/suspected vasospastic angina
To reduce the risk of hospitalization for angina and to reduce the risk of a coronary revascularization procedure in patients with recently documented CAD by angiography and without heart failure or an ejection fraction less than 40%

Usual Adult Dose for Coronary Artery Disease

Maintenance dose: 5 to 10 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 10 mg/day

Comments:

In clinical studies, most patients with angina or coronary artery disease (CAD) required 10 mg orally once a day.
The dosage should be adjusted according to patient response. In general, titration should proceed over 7 to 14 days. If clinically warranted, titration may proceed more rapidly, provided the patient is assessed frequently.

Uses:

Alone or in combination with other antianginal agents for the symptomatic treatment of chronic stable angina
Alone or in combination with other antianginal agents for the treatment of confirmed/suspected vasospastic angina
To reduce the risk of hospitalization for angina and to reduce the risk of a coronary revascularization procedure in patients with recently documented CAD by angiography and without heart failure or an ejection fraction less than 40%

Usual Geriatric Dose for Hypertension

Initial dose: 2.5 mg orally once a day
Maintenance dose: 2.5 to 10 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 10 mg/day

Comment:

The dosage should be adjusted according to patient response. In general, titration should proceed over 7 to 14 days. If clinically warranted, titration may proceed more rapidly, provided the patient is assessed frequently.

Use:

Alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents to treat hypertension

Usual Geriatric Dose for Angina Pectoris

Initial dose: 5 mg orally once a day
Maintenance dose: 5 to 10 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 10 mg/day

Comments:

In clinical studies, most patients with angina or coronary artery disease (CAD) required 10 mg orally once a day.
The dosage should be adjusted according to patient response. In general, titration should proceed over 7 to 14 days. If clinically warranted, titration may proceed more rapidly, provided the patient is assessed frequently.

Uses:

Alone or in combination with other antianginal agents for the symptomatic treatment of chronic stable angina
Alone or in combination with other antianginal agents for the treatment of confirmed/suspected vasospastic angina
To reduce the risk of hospitalization for angina and to reduce the risk of a coronary revascularization procedure in patients with recently documented CAD by angiography and without heart failure or an ejection fraction less than 40%

Usual Pediatric Dose for Hypertension

6 to 17 years:

Maintenance dose: 2.5 to 5 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 5 mg/day

Comments:

Doses higher than 5 mg have not been studied in pediatric patients.

The dosage should be adjusted according to patient response. In general, titration should proceed over 7 to 14 days. If clinically warranted, titration may proceed more rapidly, provided the patient is assessed frequently.

Use:

Alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents to treat hypertension

Renal Dose Adjustments

Data not available

Liver Dose Adjustments

Hypertension:

Initial dose: 2.5 mg orally once a day

Angina pectoris/coronary artery disease (CAD):

Initial dose: 5 mg orally once a day

Comments:

Most patients with angina or CAD will require a dosage of 10 mg/day.
The dosage should be adjusted according to patient response. In general, titration should proceed over 7 to 14 days. If clinically warranted, titration may proceed more rapidly, provided the patient is assessed frequently.

Dose Adjustments

Patients using other concomitant antihypertensive drugs:

Recommended initial dose: 2.5 mg orally once a day

Precautions

Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 6 years.

Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

Dialysis

No adjustment recommended.

Other Comments

Administration advice:

The oral tablet formulation may be taken with or without food.
The oral solution should not be shaken or mixed with food/beverages prior to administration.

Storage requirements:

The manufacturer product information should be consulted.

General:

The oral solution formulation contains glycerol, which could result in upset stomach, headache, and/or diarrhea.
This drug has been used safely in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, well-compensated heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and with abnormal lipid profiles.
The magnitude of blood pressure reduction is correlated with the height of pretreatment elevation (e.g., patients with moderate hypertension had a 50% greater response in than patients with mild hypertension).

Monitoring:

Blood pressure
Periodic liver function tests

Patient advice:

Inform patients that this drug may cause drowsiness, dizziness, headache, or nausea, and they should avoid driving or operating machinery until the full effects of the drug are seen.
Instruct patients to immediately report any signs/symptoms of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, hepatitis/jaundice, or hypersensitivity reactions.
Patients should be advised to speak to a healthcare provider if they become pregnant, intend to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
Patients should be advised to report all concurrent prescription and nonprescription medications or herbal products they are taking.