Nordip Medication Guide

Nordip (Amlodipine Besilate)

Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information

Prescription Required

Quick Facts

Generic Name
amlodipine besilate
Drug Class
calcium channel blocker
Used For
high blood pressure and chest pain (angina)
How Taken
oral tablet, once daily

What Is Nordip Used For?

Nordip contains amlodipine besilate and belongs to a group of medicines called calcium channel blockers. These medications work by widening your blood vessels, making it easier for your heart to pump blood around the body.

Primary Uses

Nordip is used to lower high blood pressure (hypertension) and treat angina pectoris (chest pain due to the heart not getting enough oxygen). High blood pressure usually has no symptoms, so regular blood pressure checks are important. If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to serious health problems.

How It Works

Nordip works by widening your blood vessels, making it easier for your heart to pump blood around the body and helping increase the supply of blood and oxygen to your heart. Calcium channel blockers do not change the amount of calcium in your blood or bones.

Important: Nordip is NOT for the relief of a sudden attack of angina. Your doctor will give you other medication to treat sudden angina attacks.

How to Take Nordip

Take Nordip exactly as your doctor has prescribed. You must take it every day and continue taking it for as long as your doctor tells you, even if you feel well.

Dosage Instructions

The usual dose is one 5 mg tablet each day. Your doctor may increase this to one 10 mg tablet each day. Take your medicine at about the same time each day, either morning or evening. Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water. Nordip can be taken with or without food.

What If You Miss a Dose?

If you miss your dose and it is less than 12 hours before your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then go back to taking your medicine as you would normally.

Important: Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed. This may increase the chance of getting unwanted side effects.

Available Tablet Strengths

5mg
5mg Tablet White to off-white, Round • AB over scoreline over 5 on one side and G on the other
10mg
10mg Tablet White to off-white, Round • AB over scoreline over 10 on one side and G on the other

Side Effects

Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.

Common Side Effects

These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:

  • headache
  • dizziness
  • flushing
  • tiredness
  • drowsiness or sleepiness
  • stomach pain or nausea
  • indigestion
  • sexual problems

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

  • fast or irregular heart beats
  • chest pain (which may or may not be associated with exertion that lasts longer, is more severe or occurs more often)
  • shortness of breath
  • symptoms of allergy (such as skin rash and/or itching)
  • severe upper stomach pain, often with nausea and vomiting
  • changes in heart beat either fast or slow
  • swelling of the ankles, feet, face or hands
  • tingling or numbness of the hands or feet
  • dizziness or light-headedness on standing up
  • unusual tiredness or weakness
  • muscle cramps or aches
  • joint pain
  • eye pain or change in vision
  • changes in mood, feeling anxious or nervous
  • symptoms of liver disease such as itching, yellowing of the skin and eyes, and dark coloured urine
  • unusual movements, including trembling and shaking of the hands and fingers, twisting movements of the body, shuffling walk and stiffness of the arms and legs

Important Warnings

Before taking Nordip, it’s important to discuss your medical history and current medications with your doctor to ensure this medication is safe for you.

Who Should Not Take Nordip

Do not take Nordip if you are allergic to amlodipine, other calcium channel blockers (such as felodipine, nifedipine or lercanidipine), or any of the ingredients listed. Signs of allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling of face/lips/tongue, or skin rash and itching.

Medical Conditions to Discuss

Tell your doctor if you have or have had heart problems (including heart failure), liver problems, or allergies to any other medicines or substances. Also inform your doctor about any other medicines you are taking.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. This medicine may affect your developing baby. Do not breast-feed while taking Nordip as the active ingredient passes into breast milk and may affect your baby. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking Nordip.

Elderly Patients: If you are 65 years or older, you should be especially careful while taking Nordip and report any side effects promptly to your doctor. You may be more likely to experience side effects such as swelling of feet and ankles, muscle cramps and dizziness.

Drug Interactions

Some medicines may interfere with Nordip and affect how it works. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you are taking.

Grapefruit interaction: Avoid eating large quantities of grapefruit or drinking large quantities of grapefruit juice. Drinking very large quantities (over 1.2 litres) of grapefruit juice each day while taking Nordip may increase the effects of this medicine.

  • other medicines used to treat angina, such as diltiazem
  • some antibiotics, such as erythromycin, clarithromycin or rifampicin
  • some antifungals such as ketoconazole or itraconazole
  • anti-proteases, medicines used to treat HIV infection, such as ritonavir
  • simvastatin, a medicine used to lower cholesterol
  • ciclosporin, tacrolimus, sirolimus or everolimus, medicines used to suppress the immune system
  • temsirolimus, a medicine used to treat kidney cancer
  • St John’s Wort

Alcohol & Driving

Be careful with activities that require alertness and consider lifestyle factors that may help your condition.

Alcohol

Your doctor may advise you to limit your alcohol intake as part of managing your blood pressure or angina.

Driving and Operating Machinery

Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Nordip affects you. Nordip may cause dizziness or drowsiness in some people. If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.

Storage

Keep your tablets in the pack until it is time to take them. Store in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C, away from moisture, heat or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car or on window sills. Keep where young children cannot reach it – a locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is recommended.

Overdose Information

If you think you have taken too much Nordip, you may need urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (Australia telephone 13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. You may feel dizzy, lightheaded or faint and have an irregular heartbeat if you take too many tablets.

Frequently Asked Questions

The source doesn’t specify exact timing, but Nordip helps control your condition by widening blood vessels to make it easier for your heart to pump blood. You must take it every day as prescribed, even if you feel well, as it helps control but does not cure your condition.

Yes, Nordip can be taken with or without food. Take it at about the same time each day, either morning or evening, and swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water.

You must continue taking Nordip for as long as your doctor tells you. This medicine helps control your condition but does not cure it. It’s important to keep taking your medicine even if you feel well. Always speak to your doctor before deciding to stop taking any of your medicines.

Your doctor may advise you to limit your alcohol intake as part of managing your blood pressure or angina. Discuss alcohol consumption with your doctor for personalized advice.

If you are 65 years or older, you should be especially careful while taking Nordip and report any side effects promptly to your doctor. Elderly patients may be more likely to experience side effects such as swelling of feet and ankles, muscle cramps and dizziness.

If you miss your dose and it is less than 12 hours before your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then go back to taking your medicine normally. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

Grapefruit juice contains components that alter the metabolism of some medicines, including Nordip. Drinking very large quantities (over 1.2 litres) of grapefruit juice each day while taking Nordip may increase the effects of this medicine.

Important Disclaimer

This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.