There have been numerous questions such as “Why is amlodipine banned in Canada? Many individuals assume that Canada has outlawed amlodipine. We’ll be able to talk about what amlodipine is, how it works, and whether or not it was banned in Canada in today’s article.
The antihypertensive medication amlodipine is a member of the calcium channel blocker drug class, also referred to as calcium channel antagonists. It is used to treat angina, coronary artery disease, and hypertension. Amlodipine works by preventing calcium from entering tissues and arteries, which relaxes them and increases blood flow.
It lessens the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke by reducing blood pressure, inhibiting coronary artery spasms, and slowing the rate at which the heart pumps or propels blood. Amlodipine can be administered either on its own or in combination with other cardiovascular drugs. Amlodipine, on the other hand, has no impact on the quantity or levels of calcium in the blood.
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Why is Amlodipine Banned in Canada?
No, it wasn’t banned. Amlodipine is not included in Canada’s list of banned medications. It is rumored that the reason it was prohibited was because a study found that women who took calcium channel blockers like amlodipine had a longer risk of developing certain types of breast cancer.
This notion was disproved by a different study conducted on a bigger population, which provided strong evidence that the use of calcium channel blockers did not raise the chance of developing cancer. Aside from the fact that amlodipine is a generic drug, studies show that it can maintain a person’s blood pressure within a healthy range when they are active and can increase their capacity to exercise.
When taking Amlodipine, the heart rate stays the same during intense exercise sessions. Amlodipine has a 24-hour effect and a lengthy half-life. Six to twelve hours after taking amlodipine orally, the drug may reach its peak concentration.
It can stay in the body system of an individual for up to 275 hours before it is declared to have completely dissipated. You can take amlodipine with or without meals. Amlodipine safety during pregnancy and breast-feeding has not been established and is yet uncertain.
Although the research indicates that amlodipine has no effect on pregnant women and is not present in breast milk, it is nevertheless suggested for pregnant women to speak with their doctor before beginning to use amlodipine. Similar to how amlodipine works, other calcium channel blockers also have the same impact.
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History Of Amlodipine
Amlodipine was discovered in 1982 and received approval for medical use in 1990, according to Wikipedia. It is accessible in generic form and is also listed as one of the essential medicines by the World Health Organization. It was the sixth-most prescribed medicine in the US in 2019 with approximately 73 million prescriptions.
Side Effects
Amlodipine has adverse effects, just like any other medication, even though it is not prohibited globally and is available in Canada. Children and the elderly are more prone to encounter a greater range of adverse effects and adults who take other prescriptions, and so do those who have medical conditions including liver or renal disease, heart disease, diabetes, seizures, etc.
Amlodipine shouldn’t be given to kids under the age of six. One of its side effects that requires quick attention is low blood pressure, which can cause swelling in the legs or ankles (severe dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting).
Symptoms include increased discomfort in the upper body or chest, shortness of breath, cold sweats, extreme fatigue, nausea, and lightheadedness. Lower doses might be necessary for patients with liver issues.
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Amlodipine long-term use may possibly result in heart and arterial weakening and malfunction. Additionally, it might result in some long-term negative effects like heart failure. Monitoring ECG results, vitals, respiratory system function, glucose levels, renal function, electrolyte levels, and urine output can help control or treat toxicity in the rare event of an overdose.
A severe hypotension, heart rate increase, and dilated blood vessels are all possible effects of an amlodipine overdose. Vasopressors may be used if fluid resuscitation does not raise blood pressure.