- New research indicates that amlodipine, a widely prescribed medication for hypertension, is unlikely to contribute to significant health risks.
- Although amlodipine has been prescribed for decades, research in recent years had questioned the drug’s safety.
- By combining science and epidemiological analysis, researchers concluded that the risks were not significant and were far outweighed by its benefits.
New research is bolstering the safety and efficacy of amlodipine (sold under the brand name Norvasc), one of the most common drugs for treating hypertension (also known as high blood pressure).
Researchers from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Glasgow University in Scotland are reporting that amlodipine – which in 2020 was the fifth-most widely prescribed drug in the United States – is unlikely to carry negative health implications.
The data was published today in the journal Function. The U.S.-based research team received funding from the NIH, while researchers in Scotland were supported by the British Heart Foundation and the UKRI Strength in Places Fund.
The research is considered significant because other recent studies have
Experts interviewed by Medical News Today say the new data helps clarify the role that amlodipine plays in people with hypertension, while reaffirming its status as a useful tool for treating the condition.
He told Medical News Today that amlodipine has been widely prescribed to treat hypertension for more than 30 years.
He explained that its mechanism is well understood. It inhibits a type of…
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