Description:

Amlocad-5 (by Entrance Pharmaceuticals) is a branded generic tablet containing amlodipine besilate, a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker. It relaxes and widens blood vessels, lowering blood pressure and improving blood flow to the heart. It treats hypertension (high blood pressure) to reduce the risk of strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems, and manages chronic stable angina (chest pain) or vasospastic (Prinzmetal’s) angina by decreasing cardiac workload and oxygen demand. The 5mg strength is a common starting/maintenance dose. In Ghana (Accra), Amlocad-5 is an affordable prescription antihypertensive widely stocked in pharmacies (e.g., Scab Pharmacy, Country Medical Pharmacy, Meldinpharma, Vafy Pharmacy) for blood pressure and angina control.

Prescription:

Prescription-only (requires a doctor’s prescription in Ghana; dispensed by pharmacies with Rx for blood pressure monitoring and side effect management; not freely OTC).

Therapeutic Category:

Calcium Channel Blocker (Dihydropyridine type) / Antihypertensive / Anti-anginal Agent.

Active Ingredients/Composition:

• Active ingredient: Amlodipine (as amlodipine besilate) 5 mg per tablet (equivalent to 5 mg amlodipine base). Other ingredients (excipients, typical): Microcrystalline cellulose, calcium hydrogen phosphate, sodium starch glycolate, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, titanium dioxide, macrogol, and talc (for film-coating). Tablets are usually white/off-white, round, and film-coated.

Vitamins: None.

Minerals: None.

Variant:

• Amlocad-5 Tablets (standard 5mg strength). Related variants: Amlocad 10mg (higher dose), or combinations like Amlocad-AT (with atenolol), Amlocad-H (with hydrochlorothiazide). The 5mg tablet is the common starting dose.

Consume Type:

Oral – Film-coated tablet (swallow whole with water; do not crush/chew).

Directions/Usage:

Take exactly as prescribed (usually once daily).

• Hypertension or angina: Starting dose typically 5 mg once daily (morning preferred).
• Maintenance: 5–10 mg once daily (maximum 10 mg/day).
• Take consistently (with or without food; food slightly affects absorption but not extent).
• Do not stop suddenly (rebound hypertension/angina risk); taper under supervision if discontinuing.
• Monitor blood pressure regularly; effects build over days to weeks.

Common Side Effects: Common:

• Headache
• Dizziness or lightheadedness (especially standing—orthostatic hypotension)
• Flushing (warmth/redness in face/neck)
• Peripheral edema (swelling in ankles/feet/legs)
• Fatigue or weakness Other: Nausea, palpitations, muscle cramps. Serious (seek help): Severe hypotension, worsening chest pain, rapid/irregular heartbeat, severe allergic reactions, or gingival hyperplasia (gum overgrowth long-term).

Package Type:

Blister packs (commonly 10 tablets per strip, packs of 3×10 = 30 tablets or multiples; foil blisters in carton with patient leaflet).

Storage Advice:

Store at room temperature (below 25–30°C) in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, heat, and moisture. Keep in original packaging, tightly closed, and out of reach of children.

Safety Advice:

• Risk of hypotension—rise slowly from sitting/lying to avoid dizziness/falls.
• Contraindicated in hypersensitivity to amlodipine, cardiogenic shock, severe hypotension, or acute MI.
• Caution in heart failure, severe aortic stenosis, liver impairment (dose adjustment), pregnancy (avoid if possible, Category C), breastfeeding, or elderly (more side effects).
• Avoid grapefruit juice (increases levels/toxicity).
• Inform doctor of all medications (interacts with beta-blockers, digoxin, etc.).
• If angina worsens, severe headache, swelling, or shortness of breath, seek urgent care.
• Regular blood pressure monitoring essential.

Product Substitutes: Similar amlodipine 5mg tablets in Ghana include:

• Generic amlodipine 5mg (various importers).
• Amlodac 5mg or other generics.
• Norvasc (original Pfizer brand, higher price if stocked). Alternatives: Other calcium channel blockers (e.g., nifedipine, felodipine) or antihypertensives (e.g., lisinopril, losartan). Consult doctor/pharmacist in Accra for switch.

Manufacturer/Marketer:

Entrance Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (Ghana-based; produces Amlocad as part of its cardiovascular range). Marketed/distributed locally in Ghana by Entrance (subsidiary of Tobinco Group; address: Accra, Ghana).

Country of Origin:

Ghana (manufactured locally by Entrance Pharmaceuticals Ltd.; widely stocked in Accra pharmacies as a local generic product).