What is Caduet?

Amlodipine is in a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers. Amlodipine relaxes the blood vessels, improving blood flow and making it easier for the heart to pump.

Caduet is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) or chest pain (angina) that occurs with high cholesterol or triglyceride levels.

Caduet may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Caduet

Before taking Caduet, tell your doctor if you have liver problems, heart disease, congestive heart failure, a serious illness or infection, or if you are taking other heart or blood pressure medications.

In rare cases, atorvastatin can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, nausea or vomiting, and dark colored urine.

Caduet is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of liver damage. Alcohol can also further lower blood pressure and can increase some of the side effects of amlodipine and atorvastatin. Caduet may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.

Before taking Caduet

If you have any of these other conditions, your doctor may need to adjust the dose of Caduet or order special tests:

liver problems;
heart disease, congestive heart failure, or recent stroke;
a serious illness or infection; or
if you take other heart or blood pressure medications.

FDA pregnancy category X. Caduet can cause birth defects. Do not use Caduet if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using this medication. It is not known whether amlodipine and atorvastatin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are taking Caduet.

How should I take Caduet?

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results.

Caduet is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

You may take this medication with or without food. Caduet is usually taken once a day. Try to take your dose at the same time each day. Follow your doctor's instructions.

To be sure Caduet is helping your condition and is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested often. Your liver function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.

You may need to stop using the medication if you have an injury, serious infection or illness, seizures, metabolic disorders, or any type of surgery. Tell any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are taking Caduet.

If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using Caduet even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking Caduet?

Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of liver damage. Alcohol can also further lower blood pressure and can increase some of the side effects of amlodipine and atorvastatin. Caduet may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Caduet. The interaction could lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.

Caduet side effects

chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
slow, fast, uneven, or pounding heartbeats;
feeling light-headed, fainting; or
swelling of your hands or feet.

Less serious Caduet side effects may include:

headache, dizziness;
warmth or tingly feeling;
mild stomach pain, diarrhea, gas, upset stomach;
decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm;
mild itching or skin rash; or
drowsiness.

What other drugs will affect Caduet?

spironolactone (Aldomet, Aldactazide);
cimetidine (Tagamet);
antacids;
gemfibrozil (Lopid) or fenofibrate (Antara, Lipofen, Lofibra, Tricor, Triglide);
niacin (Niacor, Nicolar, Nicobid, Niaspan);
cholestyramine (Questran) or colestipol (Colestid);
hormonal birth control (pills, patches, or implants);
an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), or rifampin (Rifater, Rifadin, Rifamate);
antifungal medication such as clotrimazole (Mycelex Troche), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), or voriconazole (Vfend);
HIV medications such as efavirenz (Sustiva), lopinavir (Kaletra), ritonavir (Norvir), or saquinavir (Invirase) especially if used together;
drugs that weaken your immune system such as cancer medicine or steroids, cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf), sirolimus (Rapamune), tacrolimus (Prograf), and others; or
other cholesterol-lowering medicines such as lovastatin (Mevacor), simvastatin (Zocor), pravastatin (Pravachol), fluvastatin (Lescol), or atorvastatin (Lipitor).

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Caduet. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?