Brand Name: Caduet

Generic Name: Amlodipine Besylate + Atorvastatin Calcium

Active Ingredient(s):

• Amlodipine Besylate (5 mg)
• Atorvastatin Calcium (10 mg)

For the General Public:

Uses:

Caduet 5/10 mg is used for:

• Treating high blood pressure (hypertension).
• Preventing chest pain (angina) caused by coronary artery disease.
• Managing high cholesterol and triglyceride levels to reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke.

How It Works:

• Amlodipine: A calcium channel blocker that relaxes blood vessels, improving blood flow and lowering blood pressure.
• Atorvastatin: A statin that reduces cholesterol production in the liver, lowering LDL (“bad cholesterol”) and triglycerides while increasing HDL (“good cholesterol”).

Dosage and Administration:

• Dosage: Typically one tablet daily or as prescribed by your doctor.
• Instructions: Take the tablet with or without food, preferably at the same time each day.

Possible Side Effects:

• Common Side Effects: Dizziness, fatigue, swelling in the ankles or feet, nausea, or headache.
• Serious Side Effects: Muscle pain, weakness, severe allergic reactions, or yellowing of the skin/eyes (jaundice). Contact a doctor immediately if you experience these.

Important Information:

• Usage Instructions:
  • Take the medication as prescribed, even if you feel well.
  • Do not stop the medication without consulting your doctor.
• General Information:
  • Avoid drinking grapefruit juice, as it may increase the risk of side effects.
  • Keep out of reach of children.

Precautions:

• Inform your doctor if you have liver or kidney problems, diabetes, or a history of heart disease.
• Avoid consuming alcohol, as it may increase the risk of liver damage.
• Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions:

• With Other Medications:
  • Avoid combining with other statins, antifungals, or certain antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin).
• With Food:
  • Grapefruit or grapefruit juice can interfere with atorvastatin metabolism, increasing the risk of side effects.

Regulatory Approval & Manufacturer:

• Approved by [Regulatory Authority] and manufactured by [Manufacturer].

Antidotes (If Overdose or Misuse):

• In case of overdose, symptoms may include severe dizziness or fainting. Seek immediate medical attention.

For Pharmacists:

Medicine Name: Caduet

Brand: Caduet
Active Ingredient(s):

• Amlodipine Besylate (5 mg)
• Atorvastatin Calcium (10 mg)

Indications:

• Management of hypertension and angina.
• Reduction of cholesterol and triglyceride levels in patients with a risk of cardiovascular disease.

Pharmacodynamics:

• Mechanism of Action:
  • Amlodipine: Inhibits calcium ion influx into vascular smooth muscle and cardiac muscle, leading to vasodilation and reduced blood pressure.
  • Atorvastatin: Inhibits HMG-CoA reductase, the enzyme responsible for cholesterol synthesis in the liver, reducing LDL and triglyceride levels while increasing HDL.
• Pharmacological Effects:
  • Improves blood flow and reduces blood pressure (amlodipine).
  • Decreases cardiovascular risk by lowering lipid levels (atorvastatin).
• Receptor Binding:
  • Amlodipine: High affinity for L-type calcium channels.
  • Atorvastatin: Selective inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase enzyme in the liver.

Pharmacokinetics:

• Amlodipine:
  • Absorption: Slow but complete; bioavailability ~60–80%.
  • Metabolism: Extensively metabolized in the liver.
  • Half-Life: 30–50 hours.
  • Elimination: Excreted in urine and feces.
• Atorvastatin:
  • Absorption: Rapid absorption with bioavailability ~14%.
  • Metabolism: Metabolized by the liver (CYP3A4 enzyme).
  • Half-Life: 14 hours (active metabolites ~20–30 hours).
  • Elimination: Primarily excreted in bile.

Dosage and Administration:

• Adults: One tablet (5/10 mg) once daily. Dosage adjustments may be required based on clinical response.
• Special Populations:
  • Use cautiously in elderly patients or those with hepatic impairment.

Contraindications:

• Hypersensitivity to amlodipine, atorvastatin, or excipients.
• Active liver disease or unexplained persistent elevations in liver enzymes.
• Pregnancy and lactation (atorvastatin is contraindicated).

Warnings and Precautions:

• Regularly monitor liver function and lipid profiles.
• Use with caution in patients with renal impairment or those at risk for myopathy.
• Discontinue atorvastatin if significant muscle symptoms or rhabdomyolysis occur.

Drug-Drug Interactions:

• With Other Medications:
  • Increased risk of myopathy when combined with fibrates or niacin.
  • CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, erythromycin) increase atorvastatin levels.
• Drug-Food Interactions:
  • Avoid grapefruit juice, as it increases atorvastatin plasma concentrations.

Adverse Reactions:

• Common: Dizziness, headache, peripheral edema, nausea, or muscle pain.
• Serious: Liver dysfunction, rhabdomyolysis, or angioedema.

Therapeutic Effects:

• Reduces cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
• Improves lipid profiles and controls blood pressure effectively.

Storage:

• Store at 20–25°C, away from direct sunlight and moisture.

Packaging:

• Supplied in blister packs containing 7 tablets (5/10 mg each).

Clinical Considerations:

• Pregnancy Category: X (Contraindicated during pregnancy).
• Lactation: Avoid use; not recommended during breastfeeding.
• Pediatric Use: Safety and efficacy not established.
• Geriatric Use: Generally safe with appropriate monitoring.

Conclusion:

Caduet 5/10 mg combines amlodipine and atorvastatin to provide dual benefits for managing hypertension and lipid disorders. With proper dosage and monitoring, it reduces cardiovascular risks effectively. Always consult a healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.