Norvasc

Warning! Keep the leaflet. Information on the immediate packaging in a foreign language.
Norvasc (NORVASK), 10 mg, tablets
Amlodipine
Norvasc and NORVASK are the same brand names of the same medicine, written in Polish and Bulgarian languages.
Please read the entire leaflet carefully before using the medicine, as it contains
important information for the patient.

• Keep this leaflet for future reference.
• If you have any doubts, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for a specific individual. Do not share it with others. This medicine may harm other people, even if their symptoms are identical.
• If you experience any adverse reactions, including any not listed in this leaflet, inform your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. See section 4.

Contents of the leaflet:

1. What Norvasc is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before taking Norvasc
3. How to take Norvasc
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Norvasc
6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What Norvasc is and what it is used for

Norvasc contains the active substance amlodipine, which belongs to a group of medicines called calcium channel blockers.
Norvasc is indicated for the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension) or chest pain known as angina pectoris, including its rare form called Prinzmetal's angina (vasospastic angina).
In patients with high blood pressure, this medicine dilates blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily. In patients with ischemic heart disease, Norvasc improves blood flow to the heart muscle, increasing oxygen supply, thereby preventing chest pain. This medicine does not provide immediate relief of chest pain caused by angina pectoris.

2. Important information before using Norvasc

When not to use Norvasc

• if the patient has a known allergy (hypersensitivity) to amlodipine or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine listed in section 6, or to any other calcium antagonist. Symptoms may include itching, redness of the skin or difficulty in breathing,
• if the patient has very low blood pressure (hypotension),
• if the patient has aortic valve stenosis or cardiogenic shock (a condition in which the heart is unable to deliver sufficient blood to the body),
• if the patient has heart failure following a recent heart attack.

Warnings and precautions
Before starting treatment with Norvasc, discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist.
Inform your doctor if the patient has or has had:

• a recent heart attack,
• heart failure,
• severe high blood pressure (hypertensive crisis),
• liver disease,
• need for dose adjustment in elderly patients.

Children and adolescents
Studies on the use of Norvasc in children under 6 years of age have not been conducted. Norvasc may be used only for the treatment of arterial hypertension in children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years (see section 3).
For further information, please consult your doctor.

Norvasc with other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines the patient is currently taking or has recently taken, as well as any medicines the patient plans to take.
Norvasc may affect other medicines, or other medicines may affect Norvasc:

• ketoconazole, itraconazole (antifungal agents),
• ritonavir, indinavir, nelfinavir (protease inhibitors used in the treatment of HIV),
• rifampicin, erythromycin, clarithromycin (antibiotics),
• St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum),
• verapamil, diltiazem (medicines used for heart conditions),
• dantrolene (used intravenously in severe disturbances of body temperature),
• tacrolimus, sirolimus, temsirolimus and everolimus (immunosuppressive agents),
• simvastatin (a medicine that lowers cholesterol levels),
• cyclosporine (an immunosuppressive medicine).

Norvasc may lower blood pressure to a greater extent if the patient is taking other antihypertensive medicines.

Norvasc with food and drink
Patients taking Norvasc should not consume grapefruit juice or grapefruits, as they may increase the blood concentration of the active substance – amlodipine – which could lead to an unexpected intensification of the blood pressure-lowering effect of Norvasc.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Pregnancy
There are no adequate data on the safety of amlodipine during pregnancy. If the patient suspects she is pregnant or is planning a pregnancy, she should inform her doctor before taking Norvasc.

Breastfeeding
It has been shown that small amounts of amlodipine pass into human milk. If the patient is breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, she should inform her doctor before starting treatment with Norvasc.

Before taking any medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Driving and using machines
Norvasc may affect the ability to drive and use machinery. If the tablets cause nausea, dizziness or fatigue, or headache, the patient should not drive or operate machinery and should contact the doctor immediately.

Norvasc contains sodium
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol (23 mg) of sodium per tablet; therefore, this medicine is considered "sodium-free".

3. How to use Norvasc

This medicine should always be taken as directed by a doctor or pharmacist. If in doubt,
consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Norvasc is available in 5 mg and 10 mg doses.
The recommended starting dose of Norvasc is 5 mg once daily. The dose may be increased to 10
mg once daily.
This medicine can be taken regardless of meals or drinks. It is recommended to take this medicine
at the same time every day, with water. Do not take Norvasc with grapefruit juice.
Use in children and adolescents
In children and adolescents (6–17 years of age), the usual recommended starting dose is 2.5 mg per day.
The maximum recommended dose is 5 mg per day. Norvasc 5 mg tablets may be split in half to
achieve a 2.5 mg dose.
It is important to take the tablets continuously. Do not wait until all tablets are used before
visiting a doctor.
Taking more Norvasc than recommended
Taking too many tablets may cause a reduction, or even a dangerous reduction, in blood pressure.
Dizziness, a sensation of "emptiness" in the head, fainting, or weakness may occur. In case of a severe
drop in blood pressure, shock may develop. The skin then becomes cold and clammy, and the
patient may lose consciousness. If too many Norvasc tablets have been taken, contact a doctor
immediately or go to the emergency department of the nearest hospital.
Breathlessness caused by excess fluid accumulating in the lungs (pulmonary edema) may occur
even 24–48 hours after taking the medicine.
Missing a dose of Norvasc
Stay calm. If a patient forgets to take a tablet, the missed dose should be skipped.
The next dose should be taken at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for
a missed dose.
Stopping Norvasc treatment
The doctor will inform the patient how long this medicine should be taken. If the patient stops
taking this medicine before advised by the doctor, the condition may recur.
If there are any further questions about the use of this medicine, consult a doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible adverse effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause adverse effects, although not everyone will experience them.
You should contact your doctor immediately if any of the following adverse effects occur after taking the medicine:

• sudden wheezing, chest pain, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing,
• swelling of the eyelids, face, or lips,
• swelling of the tongue and throat causing significant breathing difficulties,
• severe skin reactions, including severe rash, urticaria, generalized redness of the skin, intense itching, blisters, skin peeling and swelling, mucosal inflammation (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis), or other allergic reactions,
• heart attack, cardiac arrhythmias,
• pancreatitis, which may cause severe upper abdominal pain radiating to the back, accompanied by a very poor general condition.

The following very common adverse effects have been reported. If any of these adverse effects are troublesome to the patient or last longer than one week, you should contact your doctor.
Very common adverse effects: occurring in at least 1 out of 10 patients

• swelling (fluid retention).

The following common adverse effects have been reported. If any of these adverse effects are troublesome to the patient or last longer than one week, you should contact your doctor.
Common adverse effects: occurring in no more than 1 out of 10 patients

• headache, dizziness, drowsiness (especially at the beginning of treatment),
• palpitations (awareness of heartbeat), facial flushing,
• abdominal pain, nausea,
• changes in bowel rhythm, diarrhoea, constipation, dyspepsia,
• fatigue, weakness,
• visual disturbances, double vision,
• muscle cramps,
• swelling around the ankles.

Other reported adverse effects are listed below. If any of these adverse symptoms worsen or if any adverse effects not listed in this leaflet occur, inform your doctor or pharmacist.
Uncommon adverse effects: occurring in less than 1 out of 100 patients

• mood changes, anxiety, depression, insomnia,
• tremor, taste disturbances, fainting,
• numbness or tingling of limbs, lack of pain sensation,
• tinnitus,
• low blood pressure,
• sneezing/runny nose due to inflammation of the nasal mucosa (rhinitis),
• cough,
• dryness of the oral mucosa, vomiting,
• hair loss, increased sweating, skin itching, red skin spots, skin discoloration,
• urinary disorders, increased need to urinate at night, increased frequency of urination,
• erectile dysfunction, discomfort or enlargement of breasts in men,
• pain, malaise,
• joint or muscle pain, back pain,
• weight gain or weight loss.

Rare adverse effects: occurring in less than 1 out of 1,000 patients

• disorientation.

Very rare adverse effects: occurring in less than 1 out of 10,000 patients

• decreased white blood cell count, decreased platelet count, which may lead to unusual bruising and easier bleeding,
• high blood glucose levels (hyperglycaemia),
• nerve disorders which may cause muscle weakness, tingling or numbness,
• gum swelling, bleeding gums,
• abdominal bloating (gastritis),
• liver function abnormalities, hepatitis, yellowing of the skin (jaundice), increased liver enzyme activity detected in blood tests,
• increased muscle tone,
• vasculitis, often with skin rash,
• photosensitivity,
• movement disorders involving rigidity, tremor, and (or) difficulty moving.

Frequency not known: cannot be estimated from available data

• tremor, rigid posture, mask-like face, slowed movements, and shuffling, unbalanced gait.

Reporting of adverse effects
If any adverse effects occur, including any adverse effects not listed in this leaflet, inform your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. Adverse effects can be reported directly to the Department of Monitoring Adverse Drug Reactions of the Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices and Biocidal Products
Al. Jerozolimskie 181C
02-222 Warsaw
Phone: +48 22 49 21 301
Fax: +48 22 49 21 309
Website: https://smz.ezdrowie.gov.pl
Reporting adverse effects helps to provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. How to store Norvasc

Keep the medicine out of sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the packaging. The expiry date refers to the last day of the stated month.
Store below 25°C.
Medicines must not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer in use. This will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the packaging and other information

What Norvasc contains
The active substance is amlodipine.
Each tablet contains 10 mg of amlodipine (as amlodipine besylate).
The other ingredients are: calcium hydrogen phosphate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose,
sodium carboxymethyl starch (type A).

What Norvasc looks like and contents of the pack
White or almost white octagonal tablets with bevelled edges, embossed with the code "AML-10" on one side and the "Pfizer" logo or "VLE" on the other side. The tablet can be divided into equal doses.
Norvasc 10 mg tablets are available in blisters containing 30 tablets.
For more detailed information, contact the marketing authorisation holder or the parallel importer.

Marketing Authorisation Holder in Bulgaria, country of export:
Upjohn EESV
Rivium Westlaan 142
2909 LD Capelle aan den IJssel
The Netherlands

Manufacturer:
Pfizer Manufacturing Deutschland GmbH
Betriebsstätte Freiburg, Mooswaldallee 1, 79090 Freiburg, Germany
Medis International a.s., výrobní závod Bolatice
Průmyslová 961/16, 747 23 Bolatice, Czech Republic

Parallel Importer:
Delfarma Sp. z o.o.
ul. Św. Teresy od Dzieciątka Jezus 111
91-222 Łódź, Poland

Repackaged in:
Delfarma Sp. z o.o.
ul. Św. Teresy od Dzieciątka Jezus 111
91-222 Łódź, Poland

Marketing Authorisation Number in Bulgaria, country of export: 20000436
Parallel Import Licence Number: 380/24

This medicinal product is authorised in the European Economic Area countries under the following names:

Tablets:
Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden: Norvasc
Czech Republic: Zorem
Ireland, Malta, United Kingdom: Istin
Ireland: Amlodipine Upjohn 10 mg tablets
Italy: Amlodipina Pfizer Italia
Spain: Norvas 10 mg comprimidos