Afdol Tab 5 Mg 10’s-Potential Overview:

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

For the General Public:

Uses:
Afdol is commonly used to:

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

Dosage:

• Adults: Typically, 5 mg once daily. The dose may be increased to a maximum of 10 mg daily based on response and tolerance.
• Children (6-17 years): Starting dose is usually 2.5 mg once daily.
• Take the medication at the same time each day.

Possible Side Effects:

• Common Side Effects: Swelling of the ankles or feet, dizziness, fatigue, headache, or flushing.
• Serious (Less Common) Side Effects: Severe hypotension, chest pain, rapid heart rate, or significant allergic reactions (e.g., swelling of the face or difficulty breathing).

Important Information:

• Dosage Instruction: Take as directed by your doctor, with or without food.
• Usage Instruction: Swallow the tablet whole with water.
• General Information:
  • Do not use if allergic to amlodipine or other calcium channel blockers.
  • Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have liver issues.
  • Do not abruptly stop taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

Drug Interactions:

• Interactions with Other Medications: May interact with drugs such as beta-blockers, statins, or antifungal medications.
• Interactions with Food: Grapefruit or grapefruit juice may increase the effects of the medication.

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

Antidotes (If Overdose or Misuse by Patients):
Provide supportive care, including intravenous fluids and monitoring of blood pressure. Calcium gluconate may be administered for significant hypotension.

For Pharmacists:

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

Indications:
Indicated for:

• Hypertension management.
• Chronic stable angina and vasospastic angina (Prinzmetal’s angina).
• Prevention of cardiovascular events in high-risk patients.

Pharmacodynamics:

• Mechanism of Action:
  Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker. It inhibits the influx of calcium ions into vascular smooth muscle and cardiac muscle, leading to vasodilation and reduced blood pressure.
• Pharmacological Effects:
  • Lowers blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels.
  • Reduces myocardial oxygen demand, relieving angina.
• Receptor Binding:
  Amlodipine binds to L-type calcium channels on vascular smooth muscle, stabilizing the inactive channel state and reducing calcium influx.

Pharmacokinetics:

• Absorption: Well absorbed with oral administration; bioavailability is 64-90%.
• Distribution: Extensively distributed; plasma protein binding ~93%.
• Metabolism: Metabolized in the liver via CYP3A4 to inactive metabolites.
• Elimination: Primarily excreted via urine (~60%) and feces (~10%).
• Half-Life: 30-50 hours, allowing for once-daily dosing.
• Effect of Food: Food does not significantly affect absorption or efficacy.

Dosage and Administration:

• Adults: 5 mg once daily; may increase to 10 mg if needed.
• Pediatric: Starting dose is 2.5 mg once daily.
• Special Populations:
  • Adjust dose in patients with severe hepatic impairment.
  • Use cautiously in elderly patients.

Contraindications:

• Known hypersensitivity to amlodipine or other dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers.
• Severe hypotension (systolic BP <90 mmHg).

Warnings and Precautions:

• Use cautiously in patients with severe aortic stenosis, heart failure, or hepatic impairment.
• Monitor for worsening angina or acute myocardial infarction upon initiation or dose increase.

Drug-Drug Interactions:

• Increased effects when co-administered with CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole).
• Decreased efficacy with CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., rifampin).
• Potentiation of hypotensive effects with other antihypertensives or alcohol.

Drug-Food Interactions:

• Grapefruit juice may increase plasma levels, enhancing the drug’s effect.

Adverse Reactions:

• Common: Peripheral edema, fatigue, dizziness, headache.
• Serious: Severe hypotension, syncope, significant tachycardia or bradycardia.

Therapeutic Effects:

• Effectively lowers blood pressure and relieves chest pain by reducing vascular resistance and myocardial oxygen demand.

Storage:
Store at room temperature (15-30°C) in a cool, dry place away from moisture and direct sunlight.

Packaging:
Available in tablet form, packaged in blister packs of 10 tablets (10’s).

Clinical Considerations:

• Pregnancy Category: C (use only if clearly needed).
• Lactation Category: Not recommended; consult a doctor if nursing.
• Pediatric Category: Approved for children aged 6-17 years for hypertension.
• Geriatric Category: Start with lower doses due to increased sensitivity.

Conclusion:

Afdol Tab 5 mg is an effective treatment option for hypertension and angina. It provides long-lasting control of blood pressure and chest pain with once-daily dosing. Patients should adhere to prescribed instructions, monitor for side effects, and avoid potential drug and food interactions. Pharmacists should ensure patients understand proper use, especially those in special populations such as the elderly or those with hepatic impairment.