Norvasc® Tablets for High Blood Pressure and Angina

Norvasc® is the brand name for amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker used to treat high blood pressure and certain types of angina. This page explains how it works, who it may suit, typical dosing, safety, and storage tips. We provide Canadian pricing with US delivery from Canada, which can help if you pay without insurance.

CanadianInsulin is a prescription referral service. We verify your prescription with your clinic, and licensed Canadian pharmacies dispense your order.

To see more options for blood pressure care, explore our Hypertension Cardiovascular section.

What Norvasc® Is and How It Works

Norvasc® contains amlodipine, a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker. It relaxes vascular smooth muscle, which lowers peripheral resistance and reduces blood pressure. In coronary arteries, this relaxation improves blood flow and helps prevent angina symptoms during exertion or at rest.

Lowering blood pressure reduces the workload on the heart. Over time, consistent control can lower the risk of complications linked to hypertension. For angina, amlodipine helps limit episodes by improving oxygen delivery to heart muscle.

With US shipping from Canada, you can order Norvasc online through our service after your prescription is confirmed.

Who Norvasc® Is For

Norvasc is used in adults to treat hypertension and chronic stable or vasospastic angina. It is also used for pediatric patients 6 to 17 years old with hypertension, when a clinician considers it appropriate.

People who should not take amlodipine include those with a known allergy to amlodipine or any tablet component. Use caution in severe aortic stenosis, very low blood pressure, or cardiogenic shock. Dose adjustments may be needed in significant liver impairment.

Hypertension often occurs alongside metabolic conditions. If you live with diabetes and high blood pressure, our article on combined care may help: Diabetes And High Blood Pressure Hypertension.

Dosage and Usage

Follow your clinician’s directions and the official label. The information below reflects widely published guidance.

• Adults with hypertension: typical starting dose 5 mg once daily; some may start at 2.5 mg, especially older or smaller adults, or with hepatic impairment. Usual dose range 5 to 10 mg once daily. Maximum recommended dose is 10 mg once daily.
• Adults with chronic stable or vasospastic angina: initial 5 mg once daily; may increase to 10 mg once daily as needed and tolerated.
• Pediatrics (6 to 17 years) with hypertension: initial 2.5 mg once daily; may increase to 5 mg once daily. Higher doses are not well studied in this age group.

Tablets are taken by mouth, with or without food, at the same time each day. Dose changes are usually made in intervals of 1 to 2 weeks to allow the effect to stabilize, unless your prescriber advises otherwise.

Strengths and Forms

Norvasc is commonly available as oral tablets in these strengths:

• 2.5 mg tablets
• 5 mg tablets
• 10 mg tablets

Availability can vary. Your dispensed product may be brand or a Health Canada–approved generic equivalent, depending on your prescription and pharmacy supply.

Missed Dose and Timing

If you miss a dose, take it when you remember the same day. If it is close to your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and resume your normal schedule. Do not take extra tablets to make up a missed dose. If you miss doses for several days, speak with your clinician about how to restart.

Storage and Travel Basics

Store tablets at room temperature, in a dry place, away from excess heat and humidity. Keep them in the original container with the label and child-resistant cap. Do not store in the bathroom.

When traveling, carry your medicine in your hand luggage with your prescription label. Consider a simple pill organizer, and avoid leaving tablets in a hot car. If you need more than a month’s supply, you can request a longer fill as permitted. For orders, you can choose prompt US delivery from Canada after your prescription is confirmed.

Benefits

• Once-daily dosing for blood pressure and angina.
• Helps lower blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels.
• Reduces frequency of angina episodes in many patients.
• Can be used with many other blood pressure medicines when prescribed.
• Available in multiple tablet strengths for flexible titration.

Side Effects and Safety

Common side effects are often mild and may improve over time. These can include:

• Swelling of the ankles or feet (edema)
• Headache
• Flushing or warmth
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Fatigue
• Nausea or stomach discomfort
• Palpitations

Serious effects are uncommon but can occur. Seek medical help for severe dizziness or fainting, signs of very low blood pressure, new or worsening chest pain, shortness of breath, significant leg swelling, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or signs of an allergic reaction. Worsening angina or, rarely, a heart attack has been reported when starting or increasing dose in severe coronary artery disease; urgent care is needed for chest pain that does not resolve.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

An updated medication list helps your clinician check for interactions. Notable interactions include:

• Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (such as clarithromycin, certain azole antifungals, or some HIV medicines) can raise amlodipine levels.
• CYP3A4 inducers (such as rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, or St. John’s wort) can lower amlodipine levels.
• Simvastatin exposure increases with amlodipine; prescribers often limit simvastatin to 20 mg daily when used together.
• Other blood pressure medicines, including diuretics, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and beta blockers, may add to blood pressure lowering. Examples include Atenolol.
• Use care with drugs that can lower blood pressure further, including PDE5 inhibitors, alcohol, and some sleep or anxiety medicines.
• Grapefruit or grapefruit juice may affect levels for drugs metabolized by CYP3A4; discuss dietary questions with your clinician.

Tell your clinician if you have liver disease, severe heart valve narrowing, or heart failure. Discuss pregnancy, plans to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Do not change your dose on your own.

What to Expect Over Time

Blood pressure usually begins to improve within the first week. The full effect may be seen after 2 to 4 weeks at a stable dose. For angina, many patients notice fewer episodes after dose titration, though individual responses vary. Ongoing follow-up helps confirm control and adjust therapy if needed.

Compare With Alternatives

Other calcium channel blockers can be appropriate options. Extended-release nifedipine provides once-daily coverage and is used for hypertension and angina; see Nifedipine XR. A non-dihydropyridine option, diltiazem, can help with rate control and blood pressure; see Diltiazem Hcl Cd. Your clinician can advise which class and formulation best fit your history.

Pricing and Access

See current Norvasc price and compare options before you order. Many patients look at Canadian pricing with US shipping to reduce their out-of-pocket cost. If you prefer a different class, some compare ARB pricing such as Cozaar® to find the best fit for their budget and treatment plan.

To proceed, place your request online and upload your prescription. We confirm the prescription with your clinic, then the dispensing pharmacy fulfills the order for US delivery from Canada. Our checkout is encrypted.

Availability and Substitutions

Supply can change. If Norvasc is unavailable, a prescriber may recommend an alternative that suits your condition and history. ARBs or ACE inhibitors are common substitutes in some cases. One example is Telmisartan; your clinician will advise whether a switch is appropriate.

Patient Suitability and Cost Saving Tips

Norvasc may suit adults with primary hypertension, isolated systolic hypertension, or angina who need a once-daily option. It may also suit pediatric patients 6 years and older for hypertension when prescribed. It may not suit people with severe aortic stenosis, very low blood pressure, or significant liver impairment without careful supervision.

• Ask about starting at a lower dose if you are older or have liver impairment.
• If you experience swelling, report it. A dose change or class switch may help.
• Consider multi-month fills if approved, which can lower per-tablet cost and reduce trips.
• Set refill reminders so you do not miss doses.
• Browse our Heart Health Medications for other clinician-prescribed options.

Questions to Ask Your Clinician

• What Norvasc dose is appropriate for my condition?
• When should we check my blood pressure after a dose change?
• Could amlodipine interact with any medicines or supplements I use?
• How should I manage swelling or dizziness if they occur?
• Is Norvasc right for my angina type, or should we consider another class?
• What blood pressure goal should I aim for based on my history?

Authoritative Sources

• DailyMed: Amlodipine Besylate Label
• Pfizer: Norvasc Product Information
• Health Canada DPD: Amlodipine

Ready to get started? Place your Norvasc request for US delivery from Canada after your prescription is verified.

Disclaimer: This information is educational and does not replace your clinician’s advice. Always follow your prescriber’s directions and the official label.