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Key Facts
- Drug Class
- Calcium channel blocker (dihydropyridine)
- Prescription
- Required
- NAFDAC Status
- NAFDAC Registered
- Forms
- Tablet
- Price Range
- ₦300 - ₦5,000
- WHO Essential
- Yes
What is Amlodipine?
Amlodipine is one of the most widely prescribed antihypertensive medications in Nigeria and across sub-Saharan Africa. It belongs to the calcium channel blocker (CCB) class of drugs, specifically the dihydropyridine subgroup. Hypertension affects an estimated 30-45% of Nigerian adults, with many cases going undiagnosed because high blood pressure is often called a 'silent killer' — it typically causes no symptoms until serious complications like stroke, heart failure, or kidney disease develop. Amlodipine plays a critical role in managing this enormous public health burden, and you will find it stocked in virtually every pharmacy and patent medicine store across Nigeria, from Lagos to Kano.
Amlodipine works by relaxing and widening the blood vessels (a process called vasodilation), which allows blood to flow more easily and reduces the pressure against the walls of the arteries. It does this by blocking calcium from entering the smooth muscle cells of the blood vessel walls — without calcium, these muscles cannot contract as forcefully, so the vessels stay relaxed. This mechanism makes amlodipine particularly effective in Black and African patients, as clinical studies have consistently shown that calcium channel blockers produce stronger blood pressure reductions in people of African descent compared to some other drug classes such as ACE inhibitors when used alone.
Amlodipine is taken once daily, usually in the morning, and its long duration of action means it provides consistent blood pressure control throughout the full 24-hour period. It is available in Nigeria under well-known brand names including Norvasc (the original Pfizer brand), Emzor Amlodipine (locally manufactured), Amlovar, and Stamlo. All legitimate brands sold in Nigeria carry NAFDAC registration numbers. One of the greatest advantages of amlodipine is its tolerability — most patients can take it for years with minimal side effects, making it an excellent choice for the lifelong treatment that hypertension requires.
What is Amlodipine used for?
In Nigeria, Amlodipine is commonly used for:
- Treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure) — the primary and most common use in Nigeria
- Management of chronic stable angina (chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart)
- Treatment of vasospastic (Prinzmetal's) angina
- Often used in combination therapy with ACE inhibitors (such as lisinopril), ARBs (such as losartan), or thiazide diuretics for patients whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled with a single drug
- Preferred first-line antihypertensive for Black/African patients based on clinical evidence showing superior efficacy in this population
Dosage
IMPORTANT
Always follow your doctor's or pharmacist's instructions. The information below is for general reference only.
Adults
The usual starting dose is 5mg taken once daily by mouth. If blood pressure is not adequately controlled after 1-2 weeks, the dose may be increased to 10mg once daily. The maximum recommended dose is 10mg per day. Take amlodipine at the same time each day, with or without food. Do not crush or chew the tablet — swallow it whole with water.
Children
For children aged 6-17 years, the recommended dose is 2.5mg to 5mg once daily. Amlodipine is not typically recommended for children under 6 years. Paediatric dosing should always be determined by a doctor.
Elderly
Elderly patients and those with liver problems should start at the lower dose of 2.5mg to 5mg once daily. Dose increases should be gradual and closely monitored by a healthcare professional.
Amlodipine must be taken every day, even when you feel well. Hypertension usually has no symptoms, so feeling fine does not mean your blood pressure is normal. Do NOT stop taking amlodipine suddenly without consulting your doctor, as your blood pressure may rise sharply. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember — but if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Side Effects
Common side effects
- •Ankle and foot swelling (peripheral oedema) — this is the most common side effect and occurs in up to 10% of patients, especially at the 10mg dose. It is caused by the drug's effect on blood vessels, not by heart or kidney problems
- •Headache, particularly during the first few days of treatment
- •Flushing or feeling of warmth in the face
- •Dizziness or lightheadedness
- •Fatigue or tiredness
- •Nausea or stomach discomfort
Serious side effects — seek medical help immediately
- Severe dizziness or fainting — may indicate blood pressure has dropped too low
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
- Severe swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat — this may indicate a rare allergic reaction requiring emergency treatment
- Chest pain that is new or worsening — seek immediate medical attention
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) — rare but may indicate liver problems
When to see a doctor
See your doctor or pharmacist if ankle swelling becomes bothersome or does not improve — your doctor may adjust the dose or add another medication. Seek emergency medical attention immediately if you experience severe dizziness, fainting, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or chest pain. If you notice any unusual symptoms that concern you, do not stop the medication on your own — consult your healthcare provider first.
Warnings & Precautions
Do not take Amlodipine if you have:
- Do not take amlodipine if you are allergic to amlodipine or any other dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker
- Do not use in patients with severe aortic stenosis (narrowing of the main heart valve)
- Use with caution in patients with severe liver disease, as the drug is metabolised by the liver
- Not recommended in patients with unstable angina or within 1-2 weeks of a heart attack (unless specifically directed by a cardiologist)
Drug interactions
- •Simvastatin — amlodipine can increase simvastatin levels in the blood; the dose of simvastatin should not exceed 20mg daily when taken with amlodipine
- •Other blood pressure-lowering medications — combining amlodipine with other antihypertensives can cause blood pressure to drop too low; dose adjustments may be needed
- •Cyclosporine and tacrolimus — amlodipine may increase levels of these immunosuppressant drugs
- •Grapefruit juice — may increase amlodipine levels in the blood, potentially increasing side effects; avoid large quantities
- •Rifampicin — may reduce the effectiveness of amlodipine by increasing its breakdown in the body
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Amlodipine is NOT recommended during pregnancy. There is insufficient safety data for use in pregnant women, and it should only be used during pregnancy if no safer alternative is available and the benefit clearly outweighs the risk. If you become pregnant while taking amlodipine, inform your doctor immediately so you can be switched to a pregnancy-safe blood pressure medication such as methyldopa or labetalol. Amlodipine passes into breast milk in small amounts. Breastfeeding mothers should consult their doctor before taking amlodipine, and alternative antihypertensives with better-established safety during breastfeeding may be considered.
NAFDAC-Registered Brands of Amlodipine in Nigeria
4 brands registered with NAFDAC as of 2026-02-01.
| Brand Name | Manufacturer | Strength | Form | NAFDAC Reg. No. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norvasc | Pfizer | 5mg, 10mg | Tablet | A4-1345 |
| Amlodipine | Emzor | 5mg, 10mg | Tablet | A4-5671 |
| Amlovar | Hovid | 5mg, 10mg | Tablet | A4-6782 |
| Stamlo | Dr. Reddy's | 5mg | Tablet | B4-3456 |
How to Verify Your Amlodipine is Genuine
- 1Check the NAFDAC registration number on the packaging — all genuine amlodipine brands sold in Nigeria must have a valid NAFDAC number (e.g., A4-XXXX or B4-XXXX format)
- 2Verify the NAFDAC number using the NAFDAC Green Book or the NAFDAC mobile verification app available on Android and iOS
- 3Purchase only from licensed pharmacies and registered patent medicine stores — avoid buying from unregistered vendors, open markets, or online sources without verifiable credentials
- 4Check the expiry date and ensure the packaging is intact, properly sealed, and shows no signs of tampering
- 5Genuine tablets should have uniform size, shape, and colour — if tablets look irregular, crumbly, discoloured, or have an unusual smell, do not use them
- 6For Norvasc (Pfizer), look for the distinctive round tablet shape and embossed markings. For Emzor and other brands, check for holographic security features and batch numbers on the outer pack
Amlodipine Price in Nigeria
Amlodipine prices in Nigeria typically range from ₦300 to ₦5,000 per pack (30 tablets), depending on the brand, strength, and where you buy it.
₦300 – ₦5,000
per pack (30 tablets)
Prices vary by location and vendor. Last updated: 2026-02-01
Where to Buy
Purchase Amlodipine only from licensed pharmacies and verified distributors. Avoid buying medicines from unverified sources, roadside vendors, or unregistered market stalls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
- •NAFDAC Greenbook — National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control registered products database
- •WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (23rd List, 2023)
- •British National Formulary (BNF)
- •Nigerian Standard Treatment Guidelines