Amlodipine/Atorvastatin (By Mouth)

Amlodipine (am-LOE-di-peen), Atorvastatin (a-TORE-va-sta-tin)

Treats high blood pressure and angina (chest pain), and lowers high cholesterol levels in your blood. This medicine is a combination of a calcium channel blocker and an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (sometimes called a "statin").

Brand Name(s):

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to amlodipine or atorvastatin. You should not use this medicine if you currently have liver disease, or if you are pregnant or breast feeding.

How to Use This Medicine:

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about diet and exercise. This medicine is only part of a complete plan for lowering cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using birth control pills, digoxin (Lanoxin®), erythromycin, cimetidine (Tagamet®), spironolactone (Aldactone®), cyclosporine (Neoral®, Sandimmune®), or medicine to treat fungus infections (such as fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, Diflucan®, Nizoral®, Sporanox®). Make sure your doctor knows about all other medicine you are using to lower cholesterol or triglycerides, such as gemfibrozil (Lopid®), fenofibrate (Tricor®), or niacin (including vitamin supplements, Niaspan®, Advicor®).
• Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol on a regular basis.
• Ask your doctor before using an antacid medicine, such as Maalox®, Mylanta®, or Tums®.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you have any kind of heart disease, including congestive heart failure, heart valve problems, or problems with your blood vessels. Make sure your doctor knows if you have a history of liver disease.
• Your doctor will need to check your blood at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
• Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine if you have major surgery or a major injury. You also may need to stop if you develop other serious health problems, such as seizures or problems with your blood.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Blistering, peeling, red skin rash.
• Chest pain (may be related to your disease and not a side effect).
• Decrease in how much or how often you urinate.
• Fainting or flushing.
• Muscle pain, weakness, or cramps, especially with fever or weakness.
• Skin or eyes turn yellow.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Headache.
• Mild or brief muscle aches.
• Nausea, stomach problems, gas, constipation, diarrhea.
• Stuffy or runny nose.
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.