Norvasc (amlodipine) is the most frequently prescribed antihypertensive drug in the world. Norvasc, a calcium antagonist of the third generation, compares favorably with other drugs in this group due to a number of pharmacological properties, e.g. high bioavailability, long half-life and longer duration of action, allowing patients to take the medication once a day. Besides, Norvasc does not affect glucose tolerance, allowing to securely use it in patients with diabetes. Norvasc effectively reduces not only systolic but also diastolic blood pressure. It has virtually no effect on conductivity of the heart and has very little effect on its contractile function.
A significant advantage of Norvasc is its antianginal effect and its ability to slow the development of atherosclerosis.
During treatment with Norvasc in hypertensive patients with different degrees of severity the risk of cardiovascular events, including the development of cerebral circulatory disorders, gradually decreases.
Norvasc is characterized by a variety of positive effects which stand out the drug. Among them are the ability to cause regression of left ventricular hypertrophy, to slow the progression of atherosclerotic plaques, to positively influence platelet aggregation and metabolic processes. Norvasc can be successfully used in patients with gout and it is effective in the presence of concomitant bronchial asthma. Norvasc advantages over many other antihypertensive drugs due to the lack of withdrawal syndrome and good tolerance in case of long-term use. Another important advantage of Norvasc is the possibility of taking it with drugs from other groups such as antibiotics, NSAIDs and glucose lowering drugs.
Norvasc is unique among other members of selective calcium antagonists from the group of dihydropyridines. Favorable pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of Norvasc determine its choice for use in clinical practice as a highly effective antihypertensive and antianginal medication.
