Amlokind 5 Tablet belongs to a class of medicines known as a calcium channel blockers. It is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and prevent angina (heart-related chest pain). It lowers blood pressure and reduces the workload of the heart which helps in preventing heart attacks and strokes.
Amlokind 5 Tablet may be prescribed alone or along with other medicines. The dose depends on what you are taking it for and the severity of your condition. You can take it at any time of the day, with or without food, but it is best to take it at the same time each day. You should take this medicine for as long as it is prescribed for you. Even if you feel well, do not stop this medicine on your own because high blood pressure often has no symptoms. If you stop taking it, your condition may get worse. Keeping youself active with regular exercise, reducing your weight and eating a healthy diet will also help control your blood pressure. Follow your doctor’s advice while taking this medicine.
The most common side effects include fatigue, swelling in the feet or ankles, sleepiness, dizziness, flushing, headache and unusual beating of the heart (palpitations). Consult your doctor if any of these side effects bother you or do not go away.
Before taking it, let your doctor know if you have any liver, heart or kidney problems. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should also consult their doctor for advice before taking this medicine. You also need to tell your doctor what other medicines you are taking, especially those used to treat high blood pressure or heart conditions. You should have your blood pressure checked regularly to make sure that this medicine is working properly.
USES OF AMLOKIND TABLET
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Prevention of Angina (heart-related chest pain)
SIDE EFFECTS OF AMLOKIND TABLET
Common
Fatigue
Ankle swelling
Sleepiness
Flushing (sense of warmth in the face, ears, neck and trunk)
Headache
Nausea
Dizziness
Palpitations
Abdominal pain
HOW TO COPE WITH SIDE EFFECTS?
The occurrence of side effects varies from person to person. The following are a few ways of dealing with some of the common side effects. However, consult your doctor if these persist.
Coping with Ankle swelling
Keep your legs raised when you are sitting or lying down. Try to keep moving your legs and ankles by taking a short walk several times an hour, as standing still for too long can increase swelling. Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes and do not cross your leg. Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids and avoid alcohol. Reduce the salt in your diet. Losing weight and performing leg exercises while sitting can also help reduce the swelling. Using compression socks may help relieve pain and prevent fluid collection in your legs, ankles and feet.
Coping with Sleepiness
If the medicine is making you drowsy during the day, stop what you are doing and sit or lie down until you feel better. You can also consider taking a nap. Physical exercises such as walking may be helpful. Do not drink alcohol, as it will make you feel more tired. Avoid driving or operating heavy equipment when you are feeling drowsy. This problem usually goes away as your body gets used to the medicine. However, if it does not, ask your doctor if you can take your medicine at bedtime or whether the dose can be reduced.
Coping with Flushing (sense of warmth in the face, ears, neck and trunk)
Sip cold or iced drinks. Try cutting down on coffee, tea and alcohol. It might help to keep the room cool and use a fan. You could also spray cool water on your face. Wear layers of light clothing that you can easily take off if you overheat. Breathe deeply and try to relax. Have a lukewarm shower or bath instead of a hot one. Avoid smoking and cut down on alcohol. The flushing should go away after a few days. If it does not go away or causes problems, contact your doctor. There may be medicines that can help.
Coping with Headache
Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Rest in a quiet, dimly lit room. Do not sleep more than you normally would. Do not strain your eyes (for example by looking at a screen). Do not drink alcohol. Headaches are usually temporary and usually go away with time. But, if they last longer or get worse, ask your doctor to recommend a painkiller.
Coping with Nausea
You can help yourself by eating small, frequent meals rather than large ones and drinking plenty of fluids. Eat slowly. Avoid fatty, fried, spicy and very sweet foods. Eat cold or slightly warm food if the smell of cooked or cooking food makes you feel sick. Get plenty of fresh air. You could also try chewing ginger or drinking ginger tea. Eat bananas to replace potassium in your blood which can drop if you are sick (vomit). Use oral rehydration salts to replace vitamins and minerals lost through being sick. There are some medicines that can help you stop from feeling sick. Speak to your doctor if your condition does not improve.
Coping with Dizziness
This is usually short-lived and should go away within a few days. If this happens, stop what you are doing and sit or lie down until you feel better. Lying still in a dark, quiet room may help reduce the spinning feeling. Sleep with your head slightly raised on two or more pillows. Get up slowly from a lying or sitting position. Get plenty of rest and try to relax as being anxious can make it worse. Try taking this medicine at bedtime to reduce the symptoms. Drinking plenty of water and ginger tea may also help. Avoid alcohol, caffeine and smoking as it will make you feel worse. Avoid driving or using tools or machinery until you feel better.
Coping with Palpitations
If this happens regularly after you take your medicine, try to take the medicine at a time when you can sit or lie down when the symptoms are worse. It may help to cut down on alcohol, smoking, caffeine and big meals as these might make the problem worse. If you are still having problems after a week, speak to your doctor as you may be offered a different type of medicine.
Coping with Abdominal pain
In most cases, this is mild enough to be treated at home. Try to rest and relax. Putting a heat pad or covered hot water bottle on your stomach may also help. Having a warm bath or shower can help you relax and relieve the pain. Drink plenty of clear fluids such as water and reduce your intake of coffee, tea, lemon juice or soda. Avoid alcohol and smoking as these can aggravate the pain. Eating slowly and having smaller and more frequent meals can also help. If the pain is severe, speak to your doctor. They may be able to guide you better.
HOW TO USE AMLOKIND TABLET
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Amlokind 5 Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
HOW AMLOKIND TABLET WORKS
Amlokind 5 Tablet is a calcium channel blocker. In high blood pressure, it normalizes the blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels to reduce the pressure on them, thereby improving the blood flow in the body. In heart-related chest pain (angina), the enhanced blood flow in the body relaxes the heart muscles by reducing the workload on the heart. It also improves the oxygen flow in the body, thereby, preventing any heart-related chest pain.
SAFETY ADVICE
warnings
Alcohol
CAUTION
Caution is advised when consuming alcohol with Amlokind 5 Tablet. Please consult your doctor.
warnings
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Amlokind 5 Tablet may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
warnings
Breastfeeding
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Amlokind 5 Tablet is probably safe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug does not represent any significant risk to the baby.
warnings
Driving
UNSAFE
Amlokind 5 Tablet may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive.
Amlokind 5 Tablet may cause side effects such as dizziness, headaches, nausea or tiredness, all of which could affect your ability to concentrate and drive.
warnings
Kidney
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Amlokind 5 Tablet is safe to use in patients with kidney disease. No dose adjustment of Amlokind 5 Tablet is recommended.
warnings
Liver
CAUTION
Amlokind 5 Tablet should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Amlokind 5 Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Amlokind 5 Tablet is started at a lower dose in patients with liver disease and further increased slowly with careful monitoring.
WHAT IF YOU FORGET TO TAKE AMLOKIND TABLET?
If you miss a dose of Amlokind 5 Tablet, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
