"Amlodipine" during pregnancy: features of use, contraindications, reviews

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

If it is necessary to block calcium channels, "Amlodipine" can be prescribed. The drug helps to lower blood pressure, eliminates the symptoms of coronary heart disease. The drug is used during pregnancy, but you should know the features of this drug and follow the doctor's recommendations.

Expert reviews on the use of this medication during pregnancy for patients with arterial hypertension are positive. Therapy with the drug in 95% of cases gives a positive result. At the same time, there was no negative effect on the development of the fetus.

However, this drug is able to cross the placental barrier and be excreted along with breast milk. It is important that medical recommendations are followed and that the he alth of the pregnant woman is constantly monitored.

Composition and release forms

The main active ingredient of the drug is amlodipine. Additional Substances:

• microcrystalline silicate cellulose;
• stearatemagnesium;
• pregelatinized starch.

The drug is available in the form of tablets of 2, 5, 5 and 10 mg. Pills have a rounded shape, beveled edges. Their color is white.

Each blister contains 10 tablets. In a pack - 2 blisters. The medicine is dispensed without a doctor's prescription.

How it works

The main actions of the drug: hypotensive and antianginal.

Therapeutic effects:

1. Reduce the severity of ischemia.
2. Dilation of peripheral arterioles.
3. Decrease in vascular resistance.
4. Decrease myocardial oxygen demand.
5. Expansion of vessels in myocardial zones.
6. Increase in oxygen supply to the myocardium.
7. Prevention of coronospasm.
8. Increased time to first ischemic episode if exercised.
9. Prevent angina attacks and reduce their frequency.
10. Lower blood pressure per day.
11. Decrease in the severity of left ventricular myocardial hypertrophy.

Taking the drug does not have a negative effect on metabolism, as well as on the quantitative index of lipids in the blood. Amlodipine is able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier.

The half-life is 35-50 hours. After 7-8 days after the start of treatment, the concentration of the substance in the blood plasma comes to a stable equilibrium. It is excreted from the body mainly by the kidneys, through the intestines and with bile. Not removed by hemodialysis.

If the patient is diagnosed with renal failure, severe chronic heart failure, the half-life can be 60-65 hours.

The effect of the drug is already noticeable after 2-4 hours after taking the pill. It is preserved throughout the day.

Pharmacokinetics

"Amlodipine" has good absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. Eating does not affect absorption. The maximum concentration of the active substance of the drug in the blood serum is observed after 6-12 hours.

List of readings

"Amlodipine" is prescribed in such cases:

1. To bring blood pressure back to normal.
2. For the treatment of high blood pressure.
3. For ischemic heart disease caused by coronary artery spasms or angina pectoris.
4. Presence of a vasospastic component and exertional angina.

The drug can be prescribed as an independent remedy, as well as in complex therapy in the treatment of angina pectoris.

Instructions for use

For pregnant women, gestational hypertension or high blood pressure is considered a dangerous symptom. If this condition is not treated in time, a perinatal disease may develop, as a result of which a fatal outcome is possible, since a cerebral hemorrhage will occur. If a woman complains of unstable blood pressure in late pregnancy, the doctor may prescribe Amlodipine.

According to research, the drug is an effective drug. A few days after the start of treatment, the pressure begins to decrease and returns to normal. According to statistics, in 9 out of 11 pregnant women, blood pressure has stabilized and returned to normal levels. By the day of delivery, the pressure returns to normal.

It is worth noting that "Amlodipine" not only has a clinical effect, but also helps to restore vasoregulatory function.

"Amlodipine" is an FDA category C drug. In other words, the drug was studied for the effect on reproductive function in animals. According to the data obtained, it affected the fetus negatively. However, no such studies have been conducted in pregnant women. For this reason, experts do not recommend that nursing mothers during treatment with this drug stop breastfeeding and feed the baby artificially.

Amlodipine should be taken during pregnancy if the he alth benefits of the mother-to-be outweigh the potential risks to the fetus.

List of contraindications

The drug is not prescribed in such situations:

1. For unstable angina or recurrent coronary heart disease.
2. If narrowing of the aorta is noted in the valve area. This leads to obstruction of blood flow.
3. For heart failure.
4. Under the age of 18.
5. If there are pathologies in the working functions of the liver.
6. In case of individual intolerance to the componentsdrug.
7. In cardiogenic shock.
8. With arterial hypotension in collapse.

In some conditions, the drug is prescribed with caution: diabetes mellitus, chronic heart failure, lipid metabolism disorders, in the first month after a heart attack.

Peculiarities of taking the drug for pregnant women

The instructions for the drug do not contain exact dosages for women in position. The duration of treatment, the daily dose is determined by the doctor based on the history, assessment of the patient's condition and the results of the examination.

Dosages for women expecting a baby are as follows: taking the drug once a day at a dosage of 2.5 to 10 mg. 2.5 mg - the initial dose, which will allow the doctor to evaluate the body's response to the drug. Based on the information received, the specialist will either prescribe a higher dosage or recommend a different drug.

"Amlodipine" is prescribed if there is an individual sensitivity and intolerance to "Nifedipine" or there is no necessary therapeutic effect from other permitted medications. In such situations, acts as a backup drug that can be prescribed to a woman, "Amlodipine".

2 trimester of pregnancy - the period when it can be prescribed. In the early stages, taking the medicine is undesirable, since the active substance of the drug can adversely affect the growth and development of the fetus.

But in extreme situations, whenthere is a real threat to the life of the mother and child, appoint "Amlodipine" in the 1st trimester of pregnancy. With a significant increase in blood pressure, not only the risk of premature delivery and fetal malformations increases, but also a real danger to the life of the expectant mother. Also used "Amlodipine" in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy.

In foreign medical literature there is information that "Amlodipine" should not be taken during lactation. More gentle options in this case would be Enalapril or Captopril. The instructions for "Amlodipine" indicate that this drug can only be prescribed by a doctor and when breastfeeding, the most successful will be taking "Methyldopa".

Side effects

"Amlodipine" during pregnancy can cause many side effects:

1. Headaches, fatigue, convulsions, dizziness, sleep disturbances, loss of consciousness, tremors, apathy, anxiety.
2. Leukopenia, heart rhythm disturbances, edema, flushing, chest pain, shortness of breath.
3. Vomiting, dry mouth, gastritis, flatulence, nausea, pancreatitis, increased appetite, stool disorders.
4. Dermatitis, urticaria, erythematous rash, itching.
5. Visual disturbances, increased sweating, ringing in the ears, nosebleeds.

The listed side effects serve as a reason for discontinuation of drug treatment and switching to other sparing drugs.

Overdose

If all the recommendations of the doctor are followed, the probabilitythe occurrence of an overdose is extremely small. However, you need to know what symptoms indicate this condition:

• excessive vasodilation;
• tachycardia;
• lowering pressure characterized by duration and stability.

When these symptoms appear, it is necessary to do a gastric lavage within 2 hours after the onset of the described symptoms, observe bed rest, place the legs on a hill.

Your doctor may prescribe activated charcoal. It will also be necessary to control the work of the lungs and heart. Supportive care is also indicated. In case of an overdose, the doctor will cancel Amlodipine during pregnancy and replace it with another drug.

Special Instructions

During treatment with the drug, it is necessary to control the level of sodium intake. It is also advisable to stick to a diet.

Storage Features

The drug should be stored in a dark, dry place out of the reach of children. The temperature should be between 15-25 degrees. Shelf life - 3 years.

Consumer opinions

Patients who were prescribed "Amlodipine" during pregnancy, in the reviews note the positive effect of the treatment and the fact that the pressure returned to normal. Favorably speak about the drug and those women who "Amlodipine" was prescribed during breastfeeding.

However, some note that after the use of the drug there is nausea, sometimes vomiting. Allindividually, which is why only the doctor determines the appropriateness of using the drug.

Conclusion

Hypertension during pregnancy must be treated promptly and effectively. This will avoid the occurrence of perinatal complications for both the mother and the child. Experts try to give preference to drugs that not only correct pressure indicators, but also have a protective function for organs. These funds include "Amlodipine".

Pregnancy is not a state where you can self-medicate. Moreover, one should be extremely attentive to one's own he alth and, at the slightest doubt and poor condition, seek help from specialists.

It is also necessary to remember that taking a medicine without prior consultation with a specialist can not only not give a positive result, but also cause side reactions. Therefore, it is strictly forbidden to use the drug on your own.