Name of

Drug

Classification

Mechanism of
Action

Contraindication

Indications,
Route and
Dosage

Side and Adverse

Effects

Nursing
Responsibilities

Amlodipine
besylate
(Norvasc)

Antihypertensive Decreases
Antianginal
peripheral vascular
resistance and
relaxes coronary
and smooth muscle
thereby decreasing
systolic and
diastolic blood
pressure and also
reducing afterload.

Hypersensitivity
to amlodipine or
its components,
Pregnant

Mild to moderate
hypertension

CNS: Anxiety,
Dizziness, Fatigue,
Headache, Lightheadedness, Syncope
CV: Hypotension,
Palpitations,
Peripheral edema
EENT: Dry mouth,
Pharyngitis
GI: Abdominal
cramps, Abdominal
pain, Constipation
Diarrhea,
Indigestion, Nausea
GU: Urinary
frequency
MS: Mylagia
RESP: Dyspnea
SKIN: Flushing,
Rash
OTHER: Weight loss

-Use cautiously in
patients with heart
block, heart failure or
severe aortic stenosis.
-Instruct patient to
immediately notify
prescriber of
dizziness, arm or leg
swelling, difficulty
breathing, hives or
rash.
-Advise patient to
have his blood
pressure checked to
monitor for
hypotension.
-Patients with liver
disease remove this
drug from their
systems very slowly
thus necessitating
modification of the
dosing regimen
-Check blood pressure
an hour or two after
administering the
drug.