Acelar Tab 5 mg 10×10’s-Potential Overview:

Brand Name: Acelar
Generic Name: Amlodipine
Active Ingredient(s): Amlodipine Besylate 5 mg

For the General Public:

Uses:
Acelar is used to:

• Treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
• Prevent and manage chest pain (angina).
• Reduce the risk of heart-related complications, such as heart attack and stroke.

How It Works:
Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker that relaxes blood vessels, improving blood flow and reducing blood pressure.

Dosage:

• Adults: One 5 mg tablet once daily, with or without food.
• Children (6–17 years): Dose adjusted by a doctor, usually 2.5–5 mg once daily.
• Maximum Dose: 10 mg daily.

Possible Side Effects:

• Common Side Effects: Swelling (edema), headache, dizziness, fatigue, flushing, and nausea.
• Serious Side Effects: Severe hypotension, rapid heartbeat, or allergic reactions (swelling of face, lips, tongue).

Important Information:

• Dosage Instruction: Take as prescribed at the same time each day.
• Usage Instruction: Can be taken with or without food; avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice as it may affect drug absorption.
• General Information:
  • Do not take if allergic to amlodipine or any excipients.
  • Consult your doctor if pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking other medications.
  • Do not stop taking the medication suddenly without medical advice.

Drug Interactions:

• Interactions with Other Medications:
  • Enhanced blood pressure-lowering effects with other antihypertensives.
  • Increased side effects with certain antifungals (e.g., ketoconazole) or antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin).
• Interactions with Food:
  • Grapefruit juice can increase amlodipine levels, leading to an enhanced risk of side effects.

Regulatory Approval & Manufacturer:
Approved by [regulatory authority], manufactured by [manufacturer].

Antidotes (If Overdose or Misuse):
Symptoms of overdose include severe low blood pressure and dizziness. Seek immediate medical attention for supportive care, including fluids and vasopressors.

For Pharmacists:

Medicine Name: Acelar
Brand: Acelar
Active Ingredient(s): Amlodipine Besylate 5 mg

Indications:

• Hypertension (high blood pressure).
• Chronic stable angina and vasospastic angina (Prinzmetal’s angina).
• Prevention of cardiovascular complications.

Pharmacodynamics:

• Mechanism of Action:
  Amlodipine inhibits calcium ion influx into vascular smooth muscle and cardiac muscle cells, causing vasodilation and reduced peripheral vascular resistance.
• Pharmacological Effects:
  • Reduces blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels.
  • Improves oxygen supply to the heart by dilating coronary arteries.
• Receptor Binding:
  Binds to L-type calcium channels, reducing calcium influx and leading to smooth muscle relaxation.

Pharmacokinetics:

• Absorption: Well absorbed orally, with bioavailability of 60–80%.
• Distribution: High plasma protein binding (~93%).
• Metabolism: Extensively metabolized in the liver to inactive metabolites.
• Elimination: Primarily excreted in urine; elimination half-life is 30–50 hours.
• Effect of Food: Food does not significantly affect drug absorption.

Dosage and Administration:

• Adults: 5 mg once daily; may increase to 10 mg based on response.
• Pediatric (6–17 years): 2.5–5 mg once daily.
• Special Populations: Lower starting dose (2.5 mg) may be needed for elderly or hepatic impairment.

Contraindications:

• Hypersensitivity to amlodipine or other dihydropyridines.
• Severe hypotension or shock.

Warnings and Precautions:

• Use cautiously in patients with severe hepatic impairment, aortic stenosis, or heart failure.
• Monitor blood pressure regularly.

Drug-Drug Interactions:

• Enhanced effects with antihypertensive drugs.
• Potential interaction with CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., diltiazem, clarithromycin) and inducers (e.g., rifampin).

Drug-Food Interactions:

• Grapefruit juice increases amlodipine plasma concentrations, enhancing the risk of side effects.

Adverse Reactions:

• Common: Peripheral edema, dizziness, palpitations, nausea, and fatigue.
• Serious: Severe hypotension, myocardial infarction, and allergic reactions.

Therapeutic Effects:

• Effectively lowers blood pressure and relieves angina symptoms, reducing the risk of cardiovascular complications.

Storage:
Store at 15–30°C in a dry place, away from moisture and light.

Packaging:
Available in packs of 10 x 10 tablets (5 mg each).

Clinical Considerations:

• Pregnancy Category: C (use only if clearly needed).
• Lactation: Use cautiously; may pass into breast milk.
• Pediatric Use: Recommended for children aged 6–17 years.
• Geriatric Use: Start at lower doses due to increased sensitivity.

Conclusion:

Acelar 5 mg Tab 10×10’s is an effective calcium channel blocker for managing hypertension and angina. Proper adherence to prescribed dosage and monitoring can significantly improve cardiovascular health and reduce complications. Pharmacists should educate patients on avoiding grapefruit products and report any side effects.