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Caduet - Uses & Side Effects

Generic ingredients: Amlodipine and Atorvastatin

Caduet is a combination of two drugs, amlodipine (also known as Norvasc) and atorvastatin (also known as Lipitor). Amlodipine is a calcium-channel blocker used to lower high blood pressure (hypertension). It also relieves different types of chest pain (angina). Atorvastatin blocks the body's ability to make cholesterol. Atorvastatin can help lower blood cholesterol for patients who are at risk of getting heart disease or a stroke. It is only for patients whose cholesterol level is not controlled by diet. This medicine is not a cure. Generic amlodipine; atorvastatin tablets are not yet available.

Caduet Dosage

• The usual starting dose of amlodipine is 5 milligrams once a day, up to a maximum of 10 milligrams once a day. Individuals who have liver problems and those who are small, fragile, or elderly may be started at 2.5 milligrams a day.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water.
• Caduet can be taken with or without food.
• Caduet is usually taken once a day. Try to take your dose at the same time each day. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Uses of Caduet

• It is used to treat both high blood pressure (hypertension) or angina (chest pain) and high cholesterol, or to lower the risk of heart attack in patients with multiple risk factors for heart disease—such as family history of heart disease, high blood pressure.
• Caduet is used along with a proper diet to help lower cholesterol and fats (triglycerides) in the blood. It is usually prescribed after non-drug treatments (e.g., diet change, increase in exercise, weight loss if overweight) have not been fully successful at lowering cholesterol.

Side Effects of Caduet

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, tell your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe to continue using Caduet. Clinical trials have shown no side effect specific to Caduet. Side effects are similar to those reported with amlodipine and atorvastatin. Side effects of amlodipine may include:

• Dizziness, fatigue, flushing, fluid retention and swelling, headache, palpitations (fluttery or throbbing heartbeat)
• Abdominal pain, constipation, gas, indigestion

Warnings and precautions before taking Caduet:

• There is a slight chance of liver damage from the atorvastatin contained in Caduet. Your doctor may order a blood test to check your liver function before you start taking the drug, again at 12 weeks after you begin therapy or your dosage is increased, and periodically thereafter. If the tests reveal a problem, you may have to stop using the drug.
• Check with your doctor before you stop taking Caduet. You may need to reduce Caduet slowly.
• Do not take Caduet without first talking to your doctor if you have liver disease .

Drug Interaction :- If you take Caduet with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Caduet with any of the following:

• Antacids such as Maalox TC Suspension
  
• Cimetidine
  
• Colestipol (Colestid)
  
• Cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral)
  
• Digoxin (Lanoxin)
  
• Erythromycin (E.E.S., Erythrocin, others)

Overdose

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include:

• severe dizziness
• fainting
• fast heartbeat.