Hypertension, coronary heart disease, angina pectoris today are very common health problems of modern man. Moreover, such diseases have significantly “rejuvenated” - if earlier patients of mature age suffered from them, today even young people are diagnosed with IHD and hypertension. To cure these health problems, the pharmaceutical industry produces many medicines, one of which is Amlotop. Instructions for use, reviews about it will be discussed below.
Pharmacological group of drugs
For the Amlotop medicine, the manufacturer’s instructions for use in each package of the drug indicate the pharmaceutical accessory - a blocker of “slow” calcium channels. This is a fairly extensive group of drugs, which includes several positions of active substances that have a similar effect, but differ in their effect on heart rate, pharmacokinetics, and tissue susceptibility.
Trace elements play an important role in the human body. So, for example, when penetrating tissue cells, calcium ions activate bioenergy processes such as protein phosphorylation (one of the stages of biosynthesis), ATP metabolism (adenosine triphosphoric acid - an energy source for metabolic and metabolic processes in the body) in cAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate, playing the role of an intermediary between certain hormones and tissue cells). But, like any other components, these substances must be in the cells in a certain amount. If for some reason there is an increase in their concentration, then the processes of cellular metabolism require an increase in oxygen concentration, which can lead to destructive changes. The transfer of calcium ions Ca 2+ ( transmembrane transfer) occurs through special calcium channels, which are quite complex and diverse. Today, scientists have found that calcium channels with a complex structure of transmembrane proteins can be divided into two types:
- voltage-dependent, through which Ca ions pass when the membrane potential decreases below a certain level;
- receptor-dependent, passing a stream of Ca ions through cell membranes during the interaction of cell receptors with specific agonists, for example, acetylcholine, catecholamines, serotonin, histamine.
These chemical-physical processes play a crucial function in cell metabolism. Also, calcium channels are divided into types that differ from each other in some properties. They are denoted by letter indices - L, N, P, Q, R, T.
L-type channels got their name from the English words long-lasting - long-lived, larde - large, depending on conductivity - they are slowly activated by depolarization of the cell membrane, which determines the entry of Ca 2+ ions into the cell and the formation of a slow calcium potential.
L-type channels were found in cardiomyocytes, in the smooth muscle cells of arterial vessels and most internal organs, as well as in the cells of the cardiac conduction system, in skeletal muscle and in platelets. It is the group of drugs that delay the work of these intercellular adapters that the Amlotop medicine and analogues of this drug belong to.
In what form can I buy the drug?
Amlotop is produced by several pharmaceutical companies. But here is its only release form - in the form of tablets, which, however, have different contents of the active component. It can be 5 or 10 mg in one unit - a tablet. The drug "Amlotop", its analogues, produced in different dosage forms, have antianginal (stopping angina pain and attack) and hypotensive (lowering blood pressure) action. The group of drugs that have a similar effect is very extensive. But the question of which therapy to conduct for a particular patient can be resolved by the attending specialist, taking into account many circumstances. Take "Amlotop" without consulting a doctor, on the advice of friends is strictly prohibited!
Structure
One of the antihypertensive drugs widely used in medical practice is the Amlotop drug. The instructions for it indicate the active substance - a derivative of amlodipine - besylate. As additional components are used:
- calcium stearate;
- silicon dioxide colloidal;
- croscarmellose sodium;
- lactose monohydrate;
- microcrystalline cellulose.
These substances do not play any therapeutic role, performing only formative functions.
Amlotop tablets in both 5 and 10 mg have a rounded shape, they are flat, they have a beveled chamfer at the edges. Each unit of the drug on one side is provided with a median risk for the convenience of dividing the tablet. The medicine is packaged in 10 or 30 pieces in blister cells with an aluminum protective film. Plates with tablets of 2, 3, 5, 10 pieces are stacked in cardboard boxes.
Active component action
As noted, the instructions for use of Amlotop indicate the active substance - amlodipine besylate. It is a crystalline white powder, practically insoluble in water. It has antianginal, hypotensive and vasodilating properties. This activity spectrum is due to the fact that it blocks calcium channels, reduces the activity of the transition of calcium ions through the cell membrane into the cell. For amlodipine, work in vascular smooth muscle cells is characteristic, although it works somewhat worse in cardiomyocytes. This substance expands the coronary and peripheral arteries and arterioles, which determines its antianginal effect. Due to this effect, the drug reduces the severity of myocardial ischemia in angina pectoris, reduces peripheral vascular resistance and oxygen demand of the myocardium, prevents spasms of the coronary arteries, including those caused by smoking, which reduces the load on the heart muscle.
The antihypertensive effect of the Amlotop preparation is based on its vasodilating (relaxing) effect on the smooth muscles of blood vessels. For those who suffer from stable angina pectoris, the use of the drug in a single daily dosage can increase immunity to physical exertion. Also, the drug reduces the potential risk of developing angina attacks and ischemic depression, which has a direct effect on the use of nitroglycerin and other nitrates, reducing their dose and number of applications.
The drug Amlotop reduces the level of left ventricular myocardial hypertrophy, but does not affect its contractility and conductivity, does not cause an increase in heart rate at a reflex level, and inhibits platelet aggregation, that is, gluing together. Also, the drug positively affects the functioning of the kidneys, potentiating the glomerular filtration rate and providing some natriuretic effect. The drug "Amlotop" found use in nephropathy associated with diabetes.
This medicine does not affect the metabolism in the body, and therefore it can be taken by patients with diabetes mellitus, bronchial asthma, gout. Also, the use of this drug does not affect the increased risk of death for patients diagnosed with chronic heart failure of the III-IV functional class, but with the same disease of V-VI FC of non-ischemic origin, there is the potential for developing pulmonary edema.
When is a medicine prescribed?
The instructions for use for the drug "Amlotop" lists the diseases and conditions in which this drug is prescribed:
- arterial hypertension;
- vasospastic angina pectoris;
- stable angina pectoris;
- essential hypertension.
This drug can be used both as a single agent and in the complex treatment of these diseases. Only the attending physician can prescribe it for use, taking into account all the necessary nuances - anamnesis, concomitant diseases, health status.
The principle of the drug in the human body
One of the drugs that have a blocking effect on calcium channels is Amlotop. The instructions for its use indicate that the tablets are taken orally. The active component amlodipine is well absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, while its bioavailability is from 64 to 80%.
In the patient's body, the active component of the drug is distributed mainly in the tissues, and not in the blood. It metabolizes amlodipine in the liver, and metabolites do not have significant pharmacological activity. The half-life is about 45 hours. In elderly patients older than 65 years, this time is somewhat longer - about 65 hours, but this indicator does not have clinical significance. The same factor applies to patients suffering from renal and / or liver failure. Amlotop is excreted from the body mainly by the kidneys, with 10% excreted unchanged. The rest is excreted in the bile through the intestines. The doctor prescribing Amlotop for use should remember that the active substance of this drug penetrates the blood-brain barrier. If necessary, it should also be borne in mind that the medicine is not removed from the body during hemodialysis.
When should you not take the drug?
Many people suffering from coronary heart disease, angina pectoris use Amlotop tablets in outpatient treatment. The instructions for use of this medication indicate contraindications:
- arterial hypotension, if the measured systolic blood pressure is less than 90 mm RT. st .;
- heart failure after myocardial infarction, which is hemodynamically unstable;
- cardiogenic shock;
- collapse;
- obstruction of the outflow tract of the left ventricle;
- aortic stenosis;
- hypersensitivity.
Also, the drug can not be taken in childhood - up to 18 years old due to the lack of clinical studies. The use of this drug is not recommended for pregnant and lactating women. The drug is prescribed with extreme caution in case of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, non-ischemic chronic heart failure of the III-IV functional class, impaired active liver function, mitral stenosis, sinus node weakness syndrome, expressed by tachycardia and bradycardia, acute myocardial infarction.
Possible side effects
The use of Amlotop is possible only on the recommendation of a doctor. Like any other medicine, it can cause side effects, including:
- arthralgia;
- arthrosis;
- asthenia;
- ataxia;
- bradycardia;
- Pain in the eyes;
- chest pain;
- backache;
- vasculitis;
- gastritis;
- Hypesthesia
- gingival hyperplasia;
- headache;
- dizziness;
- dermatitis;
- diplopia;
- a significant decrease in blood pressure;
- itchy skin;
- insomnia
- myocardial infarction;
- epistaxis;
- flatulence;
- atrial fibrillation;
- myalgia;
- myasthenia gravis;
- visual impairment;
- general malaise;
- peripheral neuropathy;
- fainting;
- dyspnea;
- orthostatic hypotension;
- peripheral edema;
- palpitations
- paresthesia;
- sweating increased;
- flushing of blood to the scalp (face);
- thrombocytopenic purpura;
- the development or worsening of the course of chronic heart failure;
- vomiting
- rhinitis;
- drowsiness;
- muscle cramps;
- rash;
- ventricular tachycardia;
- nausea;
- anxiety;
- fatigue increased.
How to take the medicine?
The instructions for use with Amlotop tablets indicate that they are taken once, regardless of the time of meal. Tablets must be washed down with a sufficient amount of plain water.
Usually start with 5 mg, then, if necessary, increase to 10 mg per day, this is considered the maximum allowable dose. Such a change in dosage is carried out 1-2 weeks after the start of treatment with Amlotop. If you need to quickly increase the dose of this drug, then you need to do this only under the supervision of a specialist. It is impossible to independently change the number of tablets at one time, and you can’t take this medicine more than once a day!
If the patient receives treatment with antihypertensive drugs, then the initial daily dose of Amlotop may be 2.5 mg, as the effect of lowering blood pressure will be summarized.
Therapy with this medicine in relation to special groups of people with insufficient body weight, short stature, advanced age, with liver functioning problems is carried out individually.
Overdose
Many patients note the effectiveness of Amlotop. The instructions for use of this medication indicate that an overdose of the active component can cause:
- a significant decrease in blood pressure;
- potential risk of developing reflex tachycardia;
- potential risk of developing excessive peripheral vasodilation, which can lead to persistent, marked arterial hypotension, shock, and death.
Interactions with other drugs
Be sure to read the instructions for use of Amlotop. At what pressure can and should not be taken? The manufacturer of the drug in the instructions to it indicates that the drug can not be used with systolic blood pressure below 90 mm RT. Art. It is also necessary to take into account the compatibility of the active component with other drugs that the patient is taking.
This medicine can be used without fear with drugs such as alpha-blockers, beta-blockers, thiazide diuretics, or angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including indomethacin, antibiotics, hypoglycemic agents. It is important to remember that calcium preparations can significantly reduce the activity of the amlodipine calcium channel blocker. Antipsychotics in combination therapy with Amlotop are able to enhance its hypotensive effect. If the patient is taking this drug and he needs antiviral treatment, then he should take into account the increase in the concentration of amlodipine in the blood and reduce its single dose.
Some features of Amlotop treatment
The use of the Amlotop preparation requires the patient to comply with the doctor's recommendations regarding dosing and administration.
No studies have been conducted on the treatment of children and breast-feeding women, so the possibility of danger or its effectiveness for these categories of patients is not known. To a pregnant woman, this medicine can be prescribed for use only if the risk to the fetus is minimal compared with the benefit to the mother. It is better to choose another drug if necessary. The drug with a single use does not adversely affect the concentration of attention, but with the course of treatment it is not recommended to drive a car and conduct work that requires an increased concentration of attention. Also, long-term treatment with this drug requires not only the most strict observance of dental and oral hygiene, but also regular visits to the dentist in order to eliminate the negative manifestation of its effect on the oral cavity in time, timely detect gingival hyperplasia, bleeding and take measures to preserve the health of teeth and gums .
How to buy and how to store medicine?
You can buy Amlotop medicine and its analogues only with a prescription in a pharmacy. It is stored at room temperature, the storage space must be chosen without access to direct sunlight. The shelf life of the medicine from the date of its manufacture is 3 years, if this period is over, the drug can not be used in therapy. The drug has an affordable cost - from 70 to 170 rubles per pack of 30 tablets, depending on the amount of active substance - 5 or 10 mg.
Are there any analogues?
All the information necessary for the doctor and patient contains the instructions for use about the Amlotop preparation. Analogs can be found in any pharmacy. These are such drugs as Normodipine, Tenox, Amlodak, Norvask. You can also buy Amlotopa generic in pharmacy chains - this medicine will have a name by the name of the active component - Amlodipine, and some pharmaceutical companies add their own name to this name, for example, Amlodipine - Zentiva.
The doctor may prescribe for use a drug having the same pharmacological activity, but having another substance as the active component. For example, verapamil, lecranidipil, cinnarizine, working in drugs under the names Verogalid, Lerkamen, Stugeron. The correct choice of the drug, the duration and completeness of the course of therapy, determined by the attending specialist, will help to cope with the disease qualitatively, without side effects.
What do experts say about the drug?
Amlotop tablets are often prescribed for patients who have high blood pressure and a risk of developing myocardial infarction. Doctors speak of this drug as a fairly effective drug that can provide the necessary effect even with a single use. For the Amlotop preparation, the instructions for use contain important information for the patient, in particular, the dose of administration. In some cases, it can be adjusted by the doctor in accordance with the patient’s history and course of the disease. Doctors note the high effectiveness of this tool to normalize angina attacks, prevent the development of hypertension and reduce the potential risk of myocardial infarction. From the point of view of specialists, the occurrence of side effects is most often noted in the form of edema of the lower extremities and dizziness. The remaining undesirable effects of the drug are very rare.
Patient feedback
The drug "Amlotop" reviews from patients receives, mainly, grateful. Those who praise the medicine note a convenient single use per day, its effectiveness for normalizing pressure, relieving symptoms of angina pectoris and coronary heart disease. Some are frustrated by the appearance of side effects - swelling on the legs, dizziness, headaches. Some patients, due to the pronounced severity of such an unnecessary action of the drug, were forced to abandon it, although almost everyone was satisfied with its price and Russian production. Many patients note that they use the drug only to lower the pressure, although some thank the drug for help with the course, a fairly long reception.
For the Amlotop drug, the instructions for use contain important information that must be known not only to the specialist, but also to the patient taking it for certain therapeutic purposes. We repeat, it can be taken only as prescribed by the doctor!