Difference Between Amlodipine and Amlodipine Besylate (With Table)

There are some problems that have no absolute cure. In order to maintain certain optimal levels, one has to continue the medications lifelong. Blood pressure is also one of them. Controlling blood pressure is very important, and Amlodipine is a popular and effective drug used for controlling blood pressure.

Amlodipine vs Amlodipine Besylate

The main difference between Amlodipine and Amlodipine besylate is that Amlodipine is a generic drug whereas, Amlodipine besylate is an ether form of Amlodipine. Both of them have a similar purpose of controlling blood pressure. Their doses are also the same for similar age groups. However, they are different drugs with different formations.

Amlodipine is a drug used for controlling blood pressure levels and chronic chest pain. It is only meant to be used on humans. It is an active ingredient in other medicines or salt or ether forms. It is a drug that needs a prescription and is to be used with precautions.

Amlodipine besylate is a drug that is an ether form or salt form of the drug Amlodipine. It is used for controlling high blood pressure. It can be used on humans as well as animals. It also needs a prescription and is to be used with given dosage and precautions. 

Comparison Table Between Amlodipine and Amlodipine Besylate

Parameters of Comparison

Amlodipine 

Amlodipine Besylate

Meaning

It is a drug used for the purpose of controlling blood pressure levels as well as chest pain.

It is a subclass of Amlodipine used only for the purpose of controlling blood pressure.

Usage

It is meant only for human consumption and usage.

It can be used on humans as well as animals.

Form

It is the main ingredient or active ingredient. 

It is a salt or ether form of the active ingredient amlodipine.

Content

Diabetic calcium and magnesium stearate is not found in Amlodipine.

It contains diabetic calcium and magnesium stearate. 

Soluble

It is less soluble in comparison. 

It is more soluble in comparison as is a salt form. 

What is Amlodipine?

Amlodipine refers to a drug belonging to the di-hydro-pyridine class. The primary task of this drug includes relaxing the smooth muscles of the arterial walls. The peripheral blood pressure in human arteries is also consequently reduced. Amlodipine also provides assistance in the relaxation of the muscles. In times of angina, it also results in increased blood supply to the tissues. Therefore, relaxes muscles of the arteries. The drug also serves the purpose of preventing variants of chest pain. However, it cannot be given at the time of ongoing chest pain. 

The drug helps in increasing the blood flow to an individual’s heart. Due to which the individual’s capability of exercising or working out increases. All of which results in the prevention of angina attacks. Additionally, also reduces the risk of getting chronic chest pains. However, angina cannot be completely controlled but prevented to some extent. By increasing blood supply, also reduces the risk of ischemia, which is caused due to reduction in blood supply to organs and tissues. Amlodipine is a drug that is never available alone. It is available in different forms such as salt- besylate, maleate, or mesylate. The dosage of this drug depends upon the problem.

What is Amlodipine Besylate?

Amlodipine besylate is a drug that belongs to the subclass of Amlodipine. It is an ether or salt form of Amlodipine, an active drug. Norvasc is the popular tablet known for the Amlodipine besylate drug. The drug is only helps in reduction of high blood pressure. However, Amlodipine features in salt forms. According to a study, almost half of the active drugs are converted into salt forms. This is done for the purpose of making the drug more soluble. This results in the drug being more tolerable and better for the digestive system. 

The use of Amlodipine is also extended to the cases of coronary artery heart diseases. It is a case in which further narrowing of the cardiac vessels is prevented. The drug helps in the relaxation of blood vessels and hence the reduction of high blood pressure. Amlodipine drug needs to be consumed as per given dosage only or can have adverse effects on the health. The drug is not recommended to be used by pregnant women and breastfeeding women. This is due to the possibility of adverse effects on mother and child. Other than that, the common side effects of the drug include headache, swelling in the legs, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea.

Main Differences Between Amlodipine and Amlodipine Besylate

  1. Amlodipine is a drug used for the purpose of controlling blood pressure levels as well as chest pain. Amlodipine besylate belongs to a subclass of Amlodipine used only for the purpose of controlling blood pressure.
  2. Amlodipine is meant only for human consumption and usage. Amlodipine besylate can be used on humans as well as animals.
  3. Amlodipine is the main ingredient or active ingredient. Amlodipine besylate is a salt or ether form of the active ingredient amlodipine.
  4. Diabetic calcium and magnesium stearate is not found in Amlodipine. Amlodipine besylate contains diabetic calcium and magnesium stearate. 
  5. Amlodipine is less soluble in comparison. Amlodipine besylate is more soluble in comparison as is a salt form.

Conclusion

Both Amlodipine and Amlodipine besylate serve the purpose of controlling blood pressure. There are not many differences between the two. The only main difference is that one is the ether form of another. It belongs to the subclass of the other drug. And Amlodipine has application restricted to humans, whereas, Amlodipine besylate expands to application on animals as well. 

Both the drugs are calcium blockers. Both of them deliver similar results. Both of them are available in dosages such as 5mg, 10mg, up to 20 mg. Both of them need to be used as per prescription and necessary precautions. 

References

  1. https://link.springer.com/article/10.2165/00003495-199141030-00009
  2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780123972200000027