Blood Pressure/Cholesterol

Caduet (Amlodipine and Atorvastatin)

Caduet contains a combination of amlodipine and atorvastatin. Atorvastatin is a HMG CoA reductase inhibitor, or statin. It reduces levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides in the blood, while increasing levels of good cholesterol (HDL).

Caduet is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) or chest pain (angina), and to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other heart complications in people with type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, or other risk factors.

Caduet is used in adults and children who are at least 10 years old.

Caduet may also be used for other purposes not listed here.

Take Caduet exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Caduet is usually taken once a day, with or without food. Take the medicine at the same time each day. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results.

Do not break a Caduet tablet. Tell your doctor if you have trouble swallowing the pill.

You may need to stop using Caduet for a short time if you have:

• uncontrolled seizures;
• an electrolyte imbalance (such as high or low potassium levels in your blood);
• severely low blood pressure;
• a severe infection or illness; or
• surgery or a medical emergency.

Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker. Amlodipine relaxes the blood vessels, improving blood flow and making it easier for the heart to pump.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if your next dose is less than 12 hours away. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

You should not use Caduet if you are allergic to amlodipine (Norvasc) or atorvastatin (Lipitor), if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, or if you have liver disease.

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

• history of liver disease;
• history of kidney disease;
• heart disease;
• diabetes;
• a thyroid disorder; or
• if you drink more than 2 alcoholic beverages daily.

• cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);
• gemfibrozil (Lopid), fenofibric acid (Fibricor, Trilipix), or fenofibrate (Antara, Fenoglide, Lipofen, Lofibra, Tricor, Triglide);
• antibiotics such as clarithromycin (Biaxin) or erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin);
• antifungal medications such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), or ketoconazole (Extina, Ketozole, Nizoral, Xolegal);
• HIV medications such as ritonavir (Norvir), lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), saquinavir (Invirase), and others; or
• medicines that contain niacin (Advicor, Niaspan, Niacor, Simcor, Slo-Niacin, and others).