Amdocal®
is a preparation of Amlodipine. Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist, with a long duration of action,
used for the treatment of hypertension and angina pectoris.
Mode of Action
Amlodipine is a calcium ion influx inhibitor of the dihydropyridine group (slow channel blocker or calcium ion antagonist) and inhibits the transmembrane influx of calcium ions into cardiac and vascular smooth muscle.
The mechanism of the antihypertensive action is due to a direct relaxant effect on vascular smooth muscle. The precise mechanism by which amlodipine relieves angina has not been fully determined but Amlodipine reduces total ischemic burden by the following two actions:
1. Amlodipine dilates peripheral arterioles and thus, reduces the total peripheral resistance (afterload) against which the heart works. Since the heart rate remains stable, this unloading of the heart reduces myocardial energy consumption and oxygen requirements.
2. The mechanism of action of Amlodipine also probably involves dilatation of the main coronary arteries and coronary arterioles, both in normal and ischemic regions. This dilation increases myocardial oxygen delivery in patients with coronary artery spasm (prinzmetals or variant angina).
Indications
Hypertension
Amdocal®
is indicated for the treatment of hypertension. It may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive
agents.
Stable angina
Amdocal® is indicated for the treatment of chronic stable angina. It may be used alone or in combination with other
antianginal agents.
Vasospastic angina
Amdocal® is indicated for the treatment of confirmed or suspected vasospastic angina. The drug may be used as single therapy or in combination with other antianginal drugs.
Side Effects
Peripheral edema may occasionally be severe but is fully reversible. As with other calcium antagonist drugs, peripheral edema and skin erythema occur in a proportion of patients (5-10%) and facial flushing in 2-5% of patients. Complaint of fatigue was also reported more frequently than in placebo-treated patients. There is evidence that these effects are more common in patients treated with doses greater than 10 mg daily
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