Katerzia Uses, Side Effects & Warnings - Drugs.com

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# Katerzia

Generic name: amlodipine [ am-LOE-di-peen ]
Brand names: Katerzia, Norvasc
Drug class: Calcium channel blocking agents

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Oct 18, 2022. Written by Cerner Multum.

## What is Katerzia?

Katerzia is a calcium channel blocker that dilates (widens) blood vessels and improves blood flow.

Katerzia is used to treat chest pain (angina) and other conditions caused by coronary artery disease.

Katerzia is also used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults and children at least 6 years old. Lowering blood pressure may lower your risk of a stroke or heart attack.

Katerzia may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

## Warnings

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

## Before taking this medicine

You should not take Katerzia if you are allergic to it.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

- liver disease; or

- a heart valve problem called aortic stenosis.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether Katerzia will harm an unborn baby. However, having high blood pressure during pregnancy may cause complications such as diabetes or eclampsia (dangerously high blood pressure that can lead to medical problems in both mother and baby). The benefit of treating hypertension may outweigh any risks to the baby.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

## How should I take Katerzia?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Take the medicine at the same time each day, with or without food.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) before you measure a dose. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.

Your chest pain may become worse when you first start taking Katerzia or when your dose is increased. Call your doctor if your chest pain is severe or ongoing.

If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using Katerzia even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.

Your hypertension or heart condition may be treated with a combination of drugs. Use all medications as directed and read all medication guides you receive. Do not change your doses or stop taking any of your medications without your doctor's advice. This is especially important if you also take nitroglycerin.

Katerzia is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, and other medications. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Detailed Katerzia dosage information

## What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if you are more than 12 hours late for the dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

## What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include rapid heartbeats, redness or warmth in your arms or legs, or fainting.

## What should I avoid while taking Katerzia?

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

## Katerzia side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

In rare cases, when you first start taking Katerzia, your angina may get worse or you could have a heart attack. Seek emergency medical attention or call your doctor right away if you have symptoms such as: chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating.

Katerzia may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

- pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;

- worsening chest pain;

- swelling in your feet or ankles;

- severe drowsiness; or

- a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out.

Common side effects of Katerzia may include:

- dizziness, drowsiness;

- feeling tired;

- stomach pain, nausea; or

- flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Katerzia side effects (more detail)

## What other drugs will affect Katerzia?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

- nitroglycerin;

- simvastatin (Zocor, Simcor, Vytorin); or

- any other heart or blood pressure medications.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect Katerzia, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Katerzia drug interactions (more detail)

## Where can I get more information?

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

## Popular FAQ

What is the best time of day to take blood pressure medication?

Research has suggested that taking your blood pressure medication at night instead of in the morning can provide better blood pressure control at night without compromising daytime blood pressure control and reduce your overall risk of dying because of cardiovascular disease by 45%. Continue reading

How do I reduce swelling from amlodipine?

Swelling from amlodipine is a common, but often troublesome side effect of amlodipine with 5% to 9% of people stopping amlodipine because of it. If you develop swelling with amlodipine, tell your doctor right away because they may be able to change your blood pressure medications slightly to help reduce the swelling. Swelling caused by amlodipine does not usually respond to treatment with diuretics (such as furosemide) because it is caused by changes in capillary pressure that result in leakage into the spaces between capillaries (called the interstitial area) rather than water retention. Continue reading

How long does it take for amlodipine to work?

Amlodipine can take more than 8 hours to start working, because it takes a long time to be absorbed. This means it is not a good choice for lowering blood pressure quickly, and other agents, such as hydralazine, clonidine, and nifedipine XL (which work within 1 to 2 hours) are preferred. Continue reading

Does amlodipine cause weight gain?

Weight gain has been reported by some people taking amlodipine but this is not a common side effect and some people have also reported weight loss. Weight gain with amlodipine may also be a symptom of edema, which is when you retain fluid, which may be particularly noticeable around your ankles or lower legs. The risk of edema is greater in women compared with men and in those people taking a higher dosage of amlodipine, and edema is usually noticed as weight gain. Continue reading

### More FAQ

- What medications cause swollen ankles and feet?
- Best time to take amlodipine - day or night?
- How long does amlodipine stay in your system?

## More about Katerzia (amlodipine)

- Check interactions
- Pricing & coupons
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- FDA approval history
- Drug class: calcium channel blocking agents
- Breastfeeding
- En español

### Patient resources

- Advanced Reading

#### Other brands

Norvasc, Norliqva

### Professional resources

- Prescribing Information

### Related treatment guides

- Angina
- Coronary Artery Disease
- High Blood Pressure

## Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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