CADUET (AMLODIPINE/ATORVASTATIN)

Caduet Description

Caduet contains two active ingredients that are prescribed for those with high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, angina, and to lower the risk of heart complications for those with coronary heart disease. The chances are you would not even be aware of having high blood cholesterol or high blood pressure, so it’s important to have regular medical exams to stay ahead of it. Some individuals may be able to lower their risk by implementing a healthier lifestyle with better eating habits, exercising, and not smoking. By lowering your blood pressure, you can avoid the pain of angina that indicates your heart is straining to pump a sufficient supply of blood to the rest of your tissues and organs.

What Does Caduet Do?

When you take Caduet or generic Amlodipine/Atorvastatin, you are receiving two medications that work differently but have the same goal. Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker that works by preventing the movement of calcium into your smooth muscle cells that surround your arteries so they will not contract. This allows a better blood flow in order to ease the work load put on your heart and lower your blood pressure. The generic alternative is not manufactured by the company that makes the brand product.

Atorvastatin is known as an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor or, more simply, a statin that works by interfering with an enzyme in your liver (HMG-CoA reductase) that is necessary to produce cholesterol. Statins help lower your ‘bad’ cholesterol called low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and raise your ‘good’ cholesterol or high-density lipoproteins (HLD).

Conditions Treated by Caduet

Caduet is a combination drug that tackles your hypertension and high cholesterol levels to reduce your risk of a heart attack, stroke, or kidney disease. Although most people are aware that high cholesterol is unhealthy, there is usually not a lot mentioned about triglycerides, which is another type of fat that can be found in your blood. When you eat, your body will convert any calories it doesn’t need to use at the time into triglycerides which will be stored in your fat cells. In between meals, triglycerides will be released for energy. However, if the foods you eat contain more calories than you’re able to burn in between meals, you could have high triglyceride levels. Caduet will not work as well unless you become an active participant in eating healthier and maintaining an active lifestyle.

Before Caduet is Prescribed

Ask your doctor about the safety of taking Caduet if you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breast feeding. Discuss other medical conditions or allergies you have and provide a list of any OTC or Rx drugs you take, including herbal remedies and dietary or vitamin supplements so your doctor can determine if Caduet is the right medicine for you.

Caduet Precautions

In many cases, Caduet may be required as a long-term medication so you should visit your doctor for regular check-ups and lab work to keep track of your progress. Do not stop or start any medication without consulting with your doctor first. Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice as this could interfere with the metabolism of statins. Limit your alcohol intake while taking Caduet as it can have bad effects on your liver.

Possible Side Effects of Caduet

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Indigestion
• Body aches or pains