Austell Amlodipine is a South African generic of amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker, in 5 mg and 10 mg tablets. It is used to lower high blood pressure and to prevent angina. It is taken once daily, long term, and ankle swelling is its most common side effect.
What is Austell Amlodipine?
Austell Amlodipine contains amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker of the dihydropyridine group. “Austell” is the South African manufacturer — the active ingredient and strength are what matter, and 5 mg and 10 mg are the usual strengths.
Amlodipine relaxes the muscle in the walls of arteries. Blood vessels widen, resistance to blood flow falls, and blood pressure comes down. Because the heart is pumping against less resistance and the coronary arteries are wider, it also reduces the frequency of angina.
Two features make it one of the most-prescribed blood pressure medicines in South Africa. It is long-acting, so one tablet a day gives cover over a full 24 hours, and a missed dose is less abrupt in its effect than with a shorter-acting medicine. And unlike some alternatives, it does not affect potassium levels, blood sugar or lung function, which makes it usable across a wide range of people, including many with diabetes or asthma.
The same ingredient is dispensed as Norvasc, Ciplavasc, Amloc and several other brands. It is a Schedule 3 medicine.
What is Austell Amlodipine commonly used for?
It is prescribed for two main purposes:
- High blood pressure (hypertension), either alone or with other blood pressure medicines.
- Angina, to reduce the frequency of episodes — including stable angina and the vasospastic (Prinzmetal) form.
High blood pressure is the dominant use, and it is worth understanding what treatment is for. Hypertension usually causes no symptoms at all. People feel exactly the same on treatment as off it, which is why blood pressure tablets are among the most commonly abandoned medicines.
The point is not how you feel today. Sustained high blood pressure damages arteries, the heart, the kidneys, the eyes and the brain over years, and treating it substantially reduces the risk of stroke, heart attack and kidney failure. Feeling fine is not evidence that the medicine is unnecessary — it is what treated hypertension is supposed to feel like.
Blood pressure medicines are also frequently combined, because two medicines at moderate amounts often control pressure better and with fewer side effects than one at maximum. Amlodipine is commonly paired with an ACE inhibitor or a diuretic such as Ridaq.
How Austell Amlodipine fits into this medicine category
Amlodipine is one of several groups used for blood pressure, which work in different ways:
| Group | Examples | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium channel blockers | Amlodipine (Austell Amlodipine, Ciplavasc) | Relaxes artery walls |
| ACE inhibitors | Enalapril, perindopril | Blocks a vessel-narrowing hormone |
| ARBs | Losartan, valsartan | Similar target, without the cough |
| Diuretics | Hydrochlorothiazide (Ridaq) | Removes excess fluid and salt |
| Beta blockers | Atenolol, carvedilol | Slows and eases the heart’s workload |
Which is chosen depends on age, other conditions and how the person responds. See the heart, blood pressure and circulation medicines hub.
What to check before using Austell Amlodipine
Take it at the same time each day, with or without food, and keep taking it even when you feel well.
Tell your prescriber or pharmacist if:
- You have heart failure, or severe narrowing of the aortic valve.
- You have liver disease. Amlodipine is processed by the liver and may need adjustment.
- You have had a recent heart attack or unstable angina.
- You are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- You take simvastatin. Amlodipine raises simvastatin levels, so the amount is usually limited.
- You take other blood pressure medicines, or medicines for an enlarged prostate such as tamsulosin, which also lower blood pressure.
- You are prone to dizziness on standing.
Avoid grapefruit juice, which can raise amlodipine levels.
Follow the dispensing label. This page does not set doses, and blood pressure treatment is adjusted to your own readings.
Possible cautions and when to ask a pharmacist or doctor
Ankle and leg swelling is the commonest effect. It happens because the medicine widens small arteries more than veins, so fluid collects in the tissues. It is not a sign of heart or kidney trouble in most cases, and it is dose-related — it often improves at a lower amount, or when combined with an ACE inhibitor. Raise it rather than stopping the tablet.
Flushing, headache and dizziness are common in the first weeks and usually settle.
Do not stop suddenly because you feel well or because of a side effect. Untreated hypertension resumes its damage silently. Speak to your prescriber — there are many alternatives, and switching is straightforward.
Get up slowly from sitting or lying if you feel light-headed.
Seek medical attention for chest pain that is new, worse or more frequent, breathlessness, fainting, a very fast or irregular heartbeat, marked swelling of the face or lips, swelling that worsens quickly or affects one leg only, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Related medicine guides
- Browse Heart, Blood Pressure & Circulation Medicines guides
- Read: Ciplavasc used for
- Read: Ridaq used for
Frequently asked questions
What is Austell Amlodipine 5 mg used for? High blood pressure and the prevention of angina. It contains amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker.
Is it different from Norvasc or Ciplavasc? No. Different brand names for the same active ingredient. “Austell” is the manufacturer.
Why are my ankles swelling? This is the commonest effect of amlodipine and relates to how it widens small arteries. It is dose-related — tell your prescriber rather than stopping.
Can I stop once my blood pressure is normal? No. The reading is normal because of the medicine. Stopping usually returns it to where it was.
When should I take it? Once daily at a consistent time, with or without food. Pick a time you will remember.
Can I drink grapefruit juice? Avoid it. It can raise amlodipine levels in the blood.