INTRODUCTION ABOUT CARDACE AM 5 TABLET

CARDACE AM 5 TABLET is a combination of Amlodipine and Ramipril which belongs to the group of medicines called Antihypertensive agents. It is used to manage hypertension (high blood pressure) and certain type of angina (chest pain) called as Prinzmetal or variant angina. It can also be used to manage heart failure and reduce the chances of hospitalization among the heart patients.

It also protects the function of kidneys particularly in patients who have both hypertension and type II diabetes mellitus.

Before taking CARDACE AM 5 TABLET inform your doctor if you have any liver or kidney problems. You must also inform your doctor if you have any other heart problems apart from hypertension, angina and heart failure (such as cardiogenic shock or narrowing of heart valves).

Talk to your doctor if you are on a low salt diet or have diabetes or are severely dehydrated due to any recent sickness (such as vomiting or diarrhea) before taking CARDACE AM 5 TABLET as a precaution.

CARDACE AM 5 TABLET is not recommended for use in patients with severe hypotension (low blood pressure). It is also not suitable for use in women who are pregnant or breastfeeding due to increased risk of side effects.

The most common side effects of taking CARDACE AM 5 TABLET are dizziness, swelling of ankles or other body parts, headache, sleepiness, tiredness, racing heartbeat, indigestion, constipation and muscle cramps. Contact your doctor if any of these side effects trouble you.

USES OF CARDACE AM 5 TABLET

It is used to:

• Manage hypertension and angina
• Prevent heart failure
• Protects kidney functions in patients with hypertension and diabetes

HOW CARDACE AM 5 TABLET WORKS

CARDACE AM 5 TABLET is a vasodilator. It relaxes the blood vessels supplying the heart and other organs (such as kidneys). This improves blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart muscles which reduces strain on the heart.

It also allows blood to flow more smoothly across the blood vessels with less pressure. It can improve blood supply to the kidneys which helps in delaying the worsening of kidney functions in diabetic patients. As a result, it reduces blood pressure and improves the functions of the heart and the kidneys.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Take CARDACE AM 5 TABLET as advised by your physician. Swallow the medicines with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. CARDACE AM 5 TABLET can be taken with or without food.

Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration of therapy for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition.

Continue to take CARDACE AM 5 TABLET for the stipulated duration instructed by your doctor to achieve better results.

SIDE EFFECTS OF CARDACE AM 5 TABLET

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS

Nausea and vomiting:

Take CARDACE AM 5 TABLET with or just after a meal or a snack. Stick to simple meals. Avoid eating rich or spicy food. Consult your doctor if your nausea worsens.

Dizziness:

Try to rest and relax. Get enough sleep. Avoid driving or operating any tools or machines completely while you are feeling dizzy. Do not consume excessive alcohol, as it could aggravate your dizziness. Consult your doctor if your dizziness worsens.

Headache:

Rest and relax. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids such as water or electrolytes. Applying a pain-relieving balm on your forehead can be beneficial. Do not consume excessive alcohol, as it could aggravate your headache. Consult your doctor if your headache worsens.

Constipation:

Eat plenty of fibre rich foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables and cereals. Drink plenty of fluids. Exercise more regularly. Consult your doctor if this side effect bothers you.

WARNING & PRECAUTIONS

PREGNANCY

CARDACE AM 5 TABLET is not recommended for use in pregnant women as it may cause serious harm to the growing fetus. Therefore, inform your doctor before taking this medicine if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or planning to have a baby. If you accidentally become pregnant while undergoing therapy with CARDACE AM 5 TABLET, inform your doctor immediately.

BREASTFEEDING

CARDACE AM 5 TABLET is not recommended for use in breast-feeding women. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.

DRIVING AND USING MACHINES

Do not drive or operate any heavy tools or machines if you feel dizzy after taking CARDACE AM 5 TABLET.

ALCOHOL

Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking CARDACE AM 5 TABLET as it may severely decrease your blood pressure and make you feel dizzier or faint.

KIDNEY

CARDACE AM 5 TABLET is not recommended for use in patients with severe kidney impairment (including dialysis or narrowing or renal arteries). It should be used with caution in patients with other kidney problems (including kidney transplantation). Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.

LIVER

CARDACE AM 5 TABLET should be used with caution in patients with liver problems. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.

ALLERGY

Do not take CARDACE AM 5 TABLET if you are allergic to Amlodipine, Ramipril or to any other calcium antagonists (such as nifedipine, diltiazem) or ACE inhibitors (such as captopril, lisinopril, enalapril).

HEART DISEASE

CARDACE AM 5 TABLET is not recommended for use in patients with severe heart problems such as heart failure, aortic stenosis (narrowing of arteries) or cardiogenic shock (inability of heart to pump blood). It should be used with caution in patients having a history of recent heart attack or heart failure. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.

INTERACTIONS

A. Drug-Drug interactions:

Before taking CARDACE AM 5 TABLET, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines such as:

• racecadotril (a medicine used to manage diarrhea)
• medicines that supplement potassium to the body (Ex. spironolactone, triamterene or amiloride)
• trimethoprim containing antibiotics (used for infections)
• medicines used to manage organ transplant rejection (Ex. ciclosporin, temsirolimus, sirolimus, everolimus)
• heparin (used to manage blood clots)
• medicines used for heart conditions such as hypertension, chest pain, irregular heartbeats or heart failure (Ex. atenolol, propranolol, furosemide, bumetanide, nitroglycerin, valsartan, aliskiren, procainamide, sacubitril/valsartan)
• lithium (a medicine used in some types of mental illness)
• medicines used to relieve pain (Ex. morphine, aspirin, ibuprofen, celecoxib, valdecoxib)
• anti-diabetic medicines and insulin (used to lower the blood glucose level) Ex. vildagliptin, metformin
• corticosteroids (used to relieve pain and inflammation) Ex. prednisone
• allopurinol (a medicine used to manage gout)
• other medicines used to manage high blood pressure or angina (Ex. diltiazem, verapamil)
• ketoconazole, itraconazole (used to manage fungal infections)
• ritonavir, indinavir, nelfinavir (used in management of HIV infections)
• rifampicin, erythromycin, clarithromycin (used to manage bacterial infections)
• dantrolene (a medicine used to manage muscle spasms)
• medicines used to control elevated cholesterol levels (Ex. simvastatin)
• St. John’s wort (an herbal medicine used to manage depression)

B. Drug – Food interaction:

Avoid drinking grapefruit juice while taking CARDACE AM 5 TABLET, as it could reduce your blood pressure to an abnormal level.

Overdosage:

If you or anyone else accidentally took more CARDACE AM 5 TABLET, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital. Symptoms of overdosage might include dizziness, fainting, light-headedness, weakness, shock, cool or clampy skin, fast heartbeat, anxiety, cough and shortness of breath.

SYNOPSIS

MORE INFORMATION

• Keep CARDACE AM 5 TABLET out of the sight and reach of children
• Store CARDACE AM 5 TABLET at room temperature

FAQs ABOUT CARDACE AM 5 TABLET

What are the uses of CARDACE AM 5 TABLET?

CARDACE AM 5 TABLET is used to manage hypertension (high blood pressure) and certain type of angina (chest pain). It can also be used to manage heart failure and reduce the chances of hospitalization among the heart patients. It also protects the function of kidneys particularly in patients who have both hypertension and type II diabetes mellitus.

How CARDACE AM 5 TABLET works?

CARDACE AM 5 TABLET is a vasodilator. It relaxes the blood vessels supplying the heart and other organs. This improves blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart muscles which reduces strain on the heart. It also allows blood to flow more smoothly across the blood vessels with less pressure.  It can improve blood supply to the kidneys which helps in delaying the worsening of kidney functions in diabetic patients. As a result, it reduces blood pressure and improves the functions of the heart and the kidneys.

What happens when I stop taking CARDACE AM 5 TABLET?

Do not stop taking CARDACE AM 5 TABLET without consulting your doctor as your symptoms may re-appear once again. Make sure to take CARDACE AM 5 TABLET for the stipulated duration recommended by your doctor to achieve maximum results.

What is the best time to take CARDACE AM 5 TABLET?

CARDACE AM 5 TABLET can be taken with or without meals. Your doctor will decide the best time for you to take CARDACE AM 5 TABLET based on your age, body weight and disease condition.

What to do if I forgot to take a dose of CARDACE AM 5 TABLET?

If you have missed a dose of CARDACE AM 5 TABLET, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is time for the next dose of CARDACE AM 5 TABLET, skip the missed dose and take the next one regularly. Do not take a double dose of CARDACE AM 5 TABLET to compensate the missed ones.

What precautions should be followed while taking CARDACE AM 5 TABLET?

Before taking CARDACE AM 5 TABLET, inform your doctor if you have any liver or kidney problems. You must also inform your doctor if you have severe high or low blood pressure or other heart problems (such as narrowing of the arteries, cardiogenic shock or a recent heart attack). Do not take CARDACE AM 5 TABLET if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Regularly visit your doctor and take all the necessary blood tests recommended by your doctor without fail.

Can I consume alcohol while taking CARDACE AM 5 TABLET?

Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking CARDACE AM 5 TABLET as it might make you feel dizzier and drowsier.

What happens if I accidentally take more CARDACE AM 5 TABLET?

If you or anyone else accidentally took more CARDACE AM 5 TABLET, consult your doctor immediately. Symptoms of overdosage might include dizziness, fainting, light-headedness, weakness, shock, cool or clampy skin fast heartbeat, anxiety, cough and shortness of breath.

Can I take CARDACE AM 5 TABLET daily?

Take CARDACE AM 5 TABLET as advised by your physician. Your doctor will evaluate your health condition and suggests whether can you take CARDACE AM 5 TABLET every day or not.

Can CARDACE AM 5 TABLET cause ankle swelling?

CARDACE AM 5 TABLET may cause edema or swelling of ankles in few patients. If you experience ankle swelling, keep your legs on a table or slightly elevated from the ground level. If this symptom bothers you, contact your doctor.

What are the side effects of CARDACE AM 5 TABLET?

The most common side effects of taking CARDACE AM 5 TABLET are dizziness, swelling of ankles or other body parts, headache, sleepiness, tiredness, racing heartbeat, indigestion, constipation and muscle cramps. Contact your doctor if any of these side effects trouble you.

Can I stop taking CARDACE AM 5 TABLET once my symptoms subside?

No. Do not stop taking CARDACE AM 5 TABLET without consulting your doctor. As hypertension is a chronic condition, long term management may be necessary to control its symptoms. Therefore, take CARDACE AM 5 TABLET as advised by your doctor for the stipulated duration. Sudden withdrawal of the therapy may increase your blood pressure once again.

Can the use of CARDACE AM 5 TABLET affect the liver?

Yes. CARDACE AM 5 TABLET may affect the way your liver work. Therefore, it should be used with caution in patients with liver problems. Consult your doctor before taking it.

Can CARDACE AM 5 TABLET cause erectile dysfunction?

CARDACE AM 5 TABLET may cause problems in erection in few individuals. Consult your doctor if it bothers you.

Is CARDACE AM 5 TABLET safe to use in diabetic patients?

CARDACE AM 5 TABLET may alter the blood sugar levels in your body. It can also hide the symptoms of low blood sugar. Therefore, it is necessary to inform your doctor if you have diabetes before taking CARDACE AM 5 TABLET as a precaution. Your doctor will closely monitor your blood sugar levels to avoid the risk of side effects. Also, inform your doctor if you experience any unusual tiredness, hunger or thirst while undergoing therapy with CARDACE AM 5 TABLET.

Can CARDACE AM 5 TABLET be used during pregnancy?

CARDACE AM 5 TABLET is not recommended for use in pregnant women as it may cause serious harm to the growing foetus. Therefore, inform your doctor before taking CARDACE AM 5 TABLET if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or planning to have a baby.

What kind of foods should be avoided while taking CARDACE AM 5 TABLET?

CARDACE AM 5 TABLET has the capacity to increase blood potassium level which can lead to irregular heartbeat. To manage any such occurrence, it is advisable to avoid potassium rich foods such as bananas, oranges, green leafy vegetables and potassium containing supplements while taking CARDACE AM 5 TABLET.