The initial dose of amlodipine for the treatment of hypertension is 5 mg once daily.1 For patients who are small, fragile, elderly, have hepatic insufficiency, or already on antihypertensive therapy, 2.5 mg once daily may be used when initiating treatment.1 In chronic stable or vasospastic angina, 5 to 10 mg is suggested.1
Studies using amlodipine in the treatment of coronary artery disease used doses of 5 to 10 mg, with 5 mg as the starting dose.2,3
According to the Eight Joint National Committee (JNC-8) on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure, the usual administration of amlodipine is 2.5 to 10 mg, taken once daily.4 Based on their review of randomized controlled trails, the JNC-8 recommends a target amlodipine dose of 10 mg.4
In a statement by the American Society of Hypertension and the International Society of Hypertension, they too define the usual dose of amlodipine to be 5 to 10 mg once daily, with 2.5 mg categorized as a low dose.5
References
- Amlodipine. Drugs@FDA. http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/.
- Pitt B, Byington RP, Furberg CD, et al. Effect of Amlodipine on the Progression of Atherosclerosis and the Occurrence of Clinical Events. Circulation. 2000;102(13):1503-1510.
- Nissen SE, Tuzcu E, Libby P, et al. Effect of antihypertensive agents on cardiovascular events in patients with coronary disease and normal blood pressure: The camelot study: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2004;292(18):2217-2225.
- James PA, Oparil S, Carter BL, et al. 2014 evidence-based guideline for the management of high blood pressure in adults: report from the panel members appointed to the Eighth Joint National Committee (JNC 8). Jama. 2014;311(5):507-520.
- Weber MA, Schiffrin EL, White WB, et al. Clinical practice guidelines for the management of hypertension in the community. The journal of clinical hypertension. 2014;16(1):14-26.
