Main complications of persistent high blood pressure
Amlodipine vs Amlodipine Besylate
Amlodipine and amlodipine besylate are two drugs used to control high blood pressure. The chief and active molecule is amlodipine. Amlodipine besylate is one of the combinations of amlodipine with another salt to help in drug delivery. Amlodipine is never available alone, but always as its salt- besylate, maleate or mesylate.
Drug action:
Amlodipine is a drug which belongs to the di-hydro-pyridine class. its mode of action is to relax the smooth muscles of the arterial walls and consequently reduce the peripheral blood pressure in the arteries. Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker and helps in blocking the transport of the calcium ions. Amlodipine helps in relaxation of the smooth muscle and in increasing the blood supply to the tissues in times of angina due this muscle relaxation of the supplying arteries. Amlodipine is used to prevent certain variants of chest pain but it can never be given when there is ongoing chest pain. It increases the blood flow to the heart and eventually there is an increased ability to do exercises. This phenomenon consequently prevents the number of angina attacks and reduces the risk of getting recurrent chest pains.
Amlodipine works on the basic principle of avoiding calcium transport across the membrane and thus works as a calcium antagonist in order to reduce the spasms of the vessels. It enhances the blood supply and reduces the risk of ischemia (effects of reduced blood flow to the tissues or the organs). Angina is very difficult to control with this drug but can be prevented. Subsequent attacks of angina are significantly prevented and the person can lead a relatively active life.
Amlodipine besylate, available commonly as the tablet Norvasc, is used only to reduce high blood pressure. Amlodipine besylate is nothing but the salt form or the ether form which is attached to the active form of the drug called as amlodipine.
Amlodipine is also used in cases of coronary artery heart disease wherein the cardiac vessels are prevented from further narrowing; it also allows relaxation of the vessels thus reducing the high blood pressure.
Precautions:
Amlodipine is not recommended for use during pregnancy as well as during breast feeding as it may cause adverse effects on the mother as well as the new born. The most commonly found side effects are headache and edema (swelling) of the lower legs. Lesser common side effects are dizziness, fatigue, flushing and nausea.
Norvasc is the brand name which usually consists of the drug amlodipine besylate. Amlodipine is the generic name or active drug content. Amlodipine is available in 5mg, 10mg as well as 20mg packagings. This drug is to be taken life-long to control high blood pressure at all times.
Summary:
Amlodipine is a drug which is used to control blood pressure and chest pain while amlodipine besylate is a sub-class of the drug which helps to control high blood pressure alone. Both the drugs are basically calcium blockers but amlodipine is used only on humans whereas amlodipine besylate is used on humans as well as animals. We can summarize that there is no difference between amlodipine and amlodipine besylate and they are often used interchangeably with the other salts of amlodipine too.