Amlokind-L Tablet contains two medicines, both of which help to control high blood pressure. It lowers the blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels and making it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body. This will reduce your risk of having a heart attack or a stroke.
Amlokind-L Tablet may be taken on an empty stomach or along with food. However, it is better to take it regularly at a fixed time each day, as prescribed by your doctor. The dose will depend on your condition and how you respond to the medicine. It’s important to keep taking this medicine even if you feel well. By lowering your blood pressure, it is reducing your risk of heart attack or stroke so do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to. You can help this medicine work better by making a few changes to your lifestyle such as keeping active, stopping smoking, and eating a low salt and low fat diet.
The most common side effects of this medicine include swelling in your ankles or feet (oedema), headache, sleepiness, dizziness, tiredness, taste change, and upset stomach. Since it may cause sleepiness and dizziness, do not drive or do anything requiring concentration until you know how it affects you. Talk to your doctor if any of the side effects bother you or will not go away.
Before taking this medicine, let your doctor know if you have any kidney or liver problems or severe dehydration. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should also consult their doctor before taking it. While using this medicine, your blood pressure will need to be checked often and your kidney function may also need to be tested.
USES OF AMLOKIND-L TABLET
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
SIDE EFFECTS OF AMLOKIND-L TABLET
Common
Sleepiness
Taste change
Ankle swelling
Headache
Flushing (sense of warmth in the face, ears, neck and trunk)
Dizziness
Tiredness
Palpitations
Upset stomach
Increased potassium level in blood
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 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 Taste change
Keep your mouth clean. Brush your teeth and rinse your mouth with saltwater or mouthwash after each snack or meal. Use plastic or glass utensils if the food tastes like metal. Avoid very hot or very cold foods. Chewing mints or gums may also help in improving the taste. Increase your fluid intake and choose foods that have strong flavors. Try adding garlic, lemon juice, herbs, spices and pickles or chutneys. Avoid cigarette smoking.
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 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 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 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 Tiredness
Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Eat a well-balanced diet to keep your energy levels up. Do not drink too much alcohol. Do not drive or use tools or machinery until you feel better. Other things that can help include doing some gentle exercise every day, prioritizing and pacing your activities and having a short nap if you need to. If you are still having problems after a week, speak to your doctor, as they may want to change you to a different type of medicine.
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 Upset stomach
Try taking your medicine with a meal or snack, or shortly after eating. It might help to eat smaller and more frequent meals, and to eat and drink slowly. Avoid foods which can irritate your stomach such as carbonated soft drinks, caffeine, fatty and spicy foods, mints and citrus fruits. Quit smoking and alcohol because they increase the symptoms. Do not eat for 3 or 4 hours before going to bed. Try raising the head of your bed at night or use extra pillows. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about medicines that may help, such as antacids, if your condition does not improve.
Coping with Increased potassium level in blood
You will need a blood test to find out if your blood platelet level is low. If this medicine is causing your platelet levels to drop, your doctor may suggest an alternative medicine. There are also medicines that can boost your blood platelet level. Consider asking your doctor about this. A low platelet count can put you at risk for bleeding. Try to be careful when doing activities that might cause an injury or a cut as it may take longer to stop bleeding.
HOW TO USE AMLOKIND-L 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-L Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
HOW AMLOKIND-L TABLET WORKS
Amlokind-L Tablet is a combination of two medicines: Losartan and Amlodipine which lower blood pressure effectively. Losartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) and Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker (CCB). They work by relaxing the blood vessels and making the heart more efficient at pumping blood throughout the body.
SAFETY ADVICE
warnings
Alcohol
UNSAFE
It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Amlokind-L Tablet.
warnings
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Amlokind-L Tablet is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.
warnings
Breastfeeding
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Amlokind-L 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-L Tablet may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive.
Amlokind-L 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-L Tablet is safe to use in patients with kidney disease. No dose adjustment of Amlokind-L Tablet is recommended.
warnings
Liver
CAUTION
Amlokind-L Tablet should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Amlokind-L Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Amlokind-L Tablet is started at a lower dose in patients with liver disease and further increased slowly with careful monitoring.
