Amlodipine Besylate/Atorvastatin Calcium, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: calcium channel blocker; statin

Generic and brand names: amlodipine besylate and atorvastatin calcium, oral; Caduet

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is a combination of a calcium channel blocker and a statin medicine. It is taken by mouth to treat:

• high blood pressure
• high cholesterol
• chest pain.

It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• a thyroid disorder
• diabetes
• heart failure
• liver disease
• low blood pressure
• problems with alcohol abuse
• problems with the electrical system of the heart
• seizures
• unexplained muscle aches or weakness

Tell your healthcare provider if you have recently had surgery.

Females of childbearing age: Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant. This medicine has been reported to cause birth defects. Stop taking this medicine at the first sign that you may be pregnant and contact your health care provider right away. Do not breast-feed while you are taking this medicine.

How do I use it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as directed by your healthcare provider for the length of time prescribed. Take it regularly every day, even if you feel better. Take it at the same time each day to help you remember. Do not change your dosage. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

You may take this medicine with or without food. Taking it with meals may lessen the chance the drug will upset your stomach. Do not split or crush the tablets. Take them whole.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is within 12 hours of the next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: fainting, fast heartbeat, weakness, confusion.

What should I watch out for?

While you are taking this medicine, report any unusual muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness to your healthcare provider right away, especially if you also have a fever or feel ill.

Your healthcare provider will want to see you regularly to check your progress and may adjust your dosage.

This medicine may make you dizzy or faint, especially if you get up quickly after sitting or lying down. Getting up slowly may help.

This medicine may reduce or eliminate chest pain that you may have when you exercise or are very active. Ask your healthcare provider about a safe exercise program.

You should stop taking this medicine a few days before surgery or certain other medical procedures. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Chest pain; unusual muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness; yellowing of your skin or eyes; dark yellow urine; fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat; swelling in the ankles or feet; unexplained fever or fatigue.

Other: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, urinary tract infection, gas, constipation, rash, itching, headache, dizziness, minor muscle pain, runny nose, fatigue, flushing, tiredness, trouble sleeping.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• antacids such as Maalox TC (Take antacids 2 hours apart from doses of this medicine.)
• antibiotics such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), and erythromycin (Erythromycin, E-Mycin, E.E.S., EryPed)
• antifungals such as itraconazole (Sporanox), fluconazole (Diflucan), and ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• antiseizure medicines such as carbamezapine (Tegretol), phenobarbital, and phenytoin (Dilantin)
• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• hormonal birth control such as pills, implants, shots, patches, or vaginal rings
• immunosuppressants such as tacrolimus (Prograf) or cyclosporine (Gengraf, Sandimmune, Neoral)
• medicines to treat HIV such as ritonavir (Norvir), saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase), and lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra)
• natural remedies such as St. John's wort, ephedra, yohimbe, ginseng, dong quai, and garlic
• nicotinic acid (niacin)
• other cholesterol medicines such as cholestyramine (Questran, LoCHOLEST, Prevalite), colestipol (Colestid), gemfibrozil (Lopid), and fenofibrate (TriCor, Triglide) (Take this medicine 1 hour before or 4 hours after you take cholestyramine or colestipol.)
• rifampin (Rifadin)

The effects of this medicine may be increased if you take it with grapefruit juice. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine unless your healthcare provider approves.

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.