Norvasc

Warning! Keep the leaflet. Information on the immediate packaging in a foreign language.
Norvasc (NORVASK), 5 mg, tablets
Amlodipine
Norvasc and NORVASK are the same brand names of the same medicine written in Polish and Bulgarian.

Please read this leaflet carefully before taking the medicine, as it contains important information for the patient.

• Keep this leaflet so that you can read it again if necessary.
• If you have any doubts, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for a specific individual. Do not pass it on to others. This medicine may harm others, even if their symptoms are the same.
• If you experience any adverse reactions, including any not listed in this leaflet, inform your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. See section 4.

Leaflet contents:

1. What Norvasc is and what it is used for
2. Important information 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 by increasing the amount of oxygen delivered, thereby helping to prevent chest pain. This medicine does not provide immediate relief of angina-related chest pain.

2. Important information before using Norvasc

When not to use Norvasc

• if the patient is allergic (hypersensitive) 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 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 supply 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 previously 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 hypertension in children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years (see section 3).
For further information, please consult your doctor.

Norvasc and 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 the action of other medicines, or other medicines may affect the action of Norvasc:

• ketoconazole, itraconazole (antifungal medicines),
• 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 (medicines that suppress the patient's immune system),
• 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 Norvasc's blood pressure-lowering effect.

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

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

Before taking any medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Driving and using machines
Norvasc may affect the ability to drive and use machines. If the tablets cause nausea, dizziness, 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, i.e. essentially "sodium-free".

3. How to take Norvasc

This medicine should always be taken as instructed by your doctor or pharmacist. If you have any doubts,
you should consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Norvasc is available in 5 mg and 10 mg strengths.
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 each day, with water. Norvasc must not be taken 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 once daily.
The maximum recommended dose is 5 mg once daily. Norvasc 5 mg tablets may be divided 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 up before visiting
your doctor.

Taking more Norvasc than recommended
Taking too many tablets may cause a reduction, or even a dangerous reduction, in blood pressure.
Dizziness, a feeling 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 your doctor immediately or go
to the emergency department of the nearest hospital.
Breathlessness caused by excess fluid accumulating in the lungs (pulmonary oedema) may occur
even up to 24–48 hours after taking the medicine.

If you miss a dose of Norvasc
Stay calm. If you forget to take a tablet, skip that dose. Take the next dose at your usual time. Do not
take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

Stopping Norvasc
Your doctor will inform you how long you should take this medicine. If you stop taking this medicine
before your doctor advises, your condition may return.
If you have any further questions about the use of this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible adverse reactions

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause adverse reactions, although not everyone will experience them.
You should contact your doctor immediately if any of the following adverse reactions occur after using this 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, redness of the entire skin surface, intense itching, blisters, skin peeling and swelling of the skin, mucosal inflammation (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis) or other allergic reactions,
• myocardial infarction, heart rhythm disturbances,
• pancreatitis, which may cause severe upper abdominal pain radiating to the back, accompanied by a very poor general condition.

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

• swelling (fluid retention).

The following common adverse reactions have been reported. If any of these adverse reactions are troublesome for the patient or last longer than one week, contact your doctor.
Common adverse reactions: 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 habits, diarrhoea, constipation, dyspepsia,
• fatigue, weakness,
• visual disturbances, double vision,
• muscle cramps,
• swelling around the ankles.

Other reported adverse reactions are listed below. If any of the adverse symptoms worsen or if any adverse reactions not listed in this leaflet occur, inform your doctor or pharmacist.
Uncommon adverse reactions: 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 disturbances, 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,
• increase or decrease in body weight.

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

• disorientation.

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

• decrease in white blood cell count, decrease in platelet count, which may lead to occurrence of 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 distension (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 reactions
If any adverse reactions occur, including any adverse reactions not listed in this leaflet, inform your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. Adverse reactions 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 reactions helps to provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. How to store Norvasc

Keep this medicine out of the 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 specified 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 pack and other information

What Norvasc contains
The active substance is amlodipine.
Each tablet contains 5 mg of amlodipine (as amlodipine besilate).
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 5" and a division line on one side and the "Pfizer" logo on the other side, or white or almost white octagonal tablets with bevelled edges, embossed with the code "AML 5" and a division line on one side and "VLE" on the other side.
Norvasc 5 mg tablets are available in blisters containing 30 tablets.
For more detailed information, contact the marketing authorisation holder or 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 by:
Delfarma Sp. z o.o.
ul. Św. Teresy od Dzieciątka Jezus 111
91-222 Łódź
Poland

Bulgaria, country of export, marketing authorisation number: 20000435
Parallel import authorisation number: 379/24

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,
the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden: Norvasc
Czech Republic: Zorem
Ireland, Malta, United Kingdom: Istin
Ireland: Amlodipine Upjohn 5 mg tablets
Italy: Amlodipina Pfizer Italia
Spain: Norvas 5 mg comprimidos
United Kingdom: Amlodipine