Amlodipine besylate, sold as Norvasc, is a medication used to lower blood pressure and to treat angina, a temporary decrease in oxygen to the heart. Norvasc dilates blood vessels, increasing blood flow and oxygenation to the heart and lowering pressure within the vessels. Norvasc treats symptoms of heart disease but doesn’t cure underlying disease, the National Institutes of Health explains. The medication may take several weeks to reach effective levels. Like any medications, Norvasc has side effects.
Edema
Fluid retention, or edema, causes swelling mostly of the hands, feet, legs and ankles. In clinical trials, edema was dose dependent, with the incidence increasing with higher doses. Up to 14.6 percent of women developed edema in clinical trials. At doses of 10 mg, 10.8 percent of people overall had edema, Drugs.com reports.
Caardiovascular Side Effects
Rapid heartbeat, also called palpitations, occurred in 4.5 percent of people taking a 10 mg dose of Norvasc in clinical trials, eMedTV states. Heart arrhythmias such as an irregular or abnormally slow heartbeat occurred in less than 1 percent of people taking Norvasc. Low blood pressure, chest pain and fainting also affected less than 1 percent. Dizziness occurred in 3.4 percent of people taking 10 mg of Norvasc.
Central Nervous System Effects
Drowsiness occurred in 1.4 percent of people taking Norvasc in clinical trials. Tremors, a feeling that the room is spinning, insomnia, anxiety, depression, numbness and tingling in the arms, legs, hands or feet occurred in less than 1 percent, according to Drugs.com. Fatigue occurred in 4.5 percent.
Gastrointestinal Side Effects
Potential gastrointestinal effects of Norvasc include abdominal pain, experienced by 1.6 percent of people in clinical trials, according to eMedTV, and nausea, reported by 2.9 percent of people. Constipation, indigestion, diarrhea, vomiting and pancreatitis occur in less than 1 percent of people, Drugs.com reports.
Skin Reactions
Flushing, sudden reddening and warmth of the skin, affected 4.5 percent of women and 1.5 percent of men. Other possible skin reactions include rashes or itching.
Musculoskeletal Effects
Muscle pain, cramps and back pain affect fewer than 1 percent of people taking Norvasc, Drugs.com states.
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