Caduet

Generic ingredients: Amlodipine and Atorvastatin

Why is Caduet prescribed?

Caduet is a combination of two drugs, amlodipine and atorvastatin. It's used for people who need both medications.

Amlodipine is used to treat high blood pressure and angina. Angina is characterized by episodes of crushing chest pain that usually results from a lack of oxygen in the heart muscle due to clogged arteries. Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker, a type of drug that dilates blood vessels and slows the heart to reduce blood pressure and the pain of angina.

Atorvastatin is a cholesterol-lowering drug. Your doctor may prescribe it along with a special diet if your blood cholesterol or triglyceride level is high enough to put you in danger of heart disease, and you have been unable to lower your readings by diet alone. Atorvastatin works by helping to clear harmful low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol out of the blood and by limiting the body's ability to form new cholesterol.

Most important fact about Caduet

You must take Caduet regularly for it to be effective. Caduet does not cure high blood pressure or high cholesterol; it merely helps keep them under control. To get the full benefits of the drug, you should follow any diet, exercise, and weight-loss program prescribed by your doctor.

How should you take Caduet?

You should take Caduet exactly as prescribed, even if your symptoms improve. Your dosage will be tailored depending on how much of each individual component is needed. The doctor may also direct you to take atorvastatin or amlodipine separately while you're taking Caduet.

Caduet may be taken with or without food.

• If you miss a dose...
  Take the forgotten dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and return to your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at once.

• Storage instructions...
  Store at room temperature.

What side effects may occur?