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amlodipine vs simvastatin

Side-by-side comparison of amlodipine and simvastatin. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

major Known Drug Interaction

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Do not exceed doses greater than 20 mg daily of simvastatin. 7.2 Impact of Amlodipine on Other Drugs Simvastatin Co-administration of simvastatin with amlodipine increases the systemic exposure of simvastatin. Limit the dose of simvastatin in patients on amlodipine to 20 mg daily [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ( 12.3 )] .

Recommendation: If you take both medicines, do not take more than 20 mg of simvastatin each day.

Drug Class
amlodipine Calcium Channel Blocker
simvastatin HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor (Statin)
Type
amlodipine Prescription
simvastatin Prescription
Summary
amlodipine

Amlodipine (Norvasc) is a drug that lowers blood pressure and treats chest pain. It belongs to a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers.

simvastatin

No summary available.

What It Treats
amlodipine

This medicine treats high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of strokes and heart attacks. Amlodipine also treats chest pain (angina) caused by coronary artery disease, including chronic stable angina and vasospastic angina.

simvastatin

Information not available.

How It Works
amlodipine

Amlodipine blocks calcium from entering heart and blood vessel cells. This relaxes and widens blood vessels, making it easier for blood to flow. As a result, the heart does not have to work as hard, which lowers blood pressure and reduces chest pain.

simvastatin

Information not available.

Common Side Effects
amlodipine
  • Swelling in your ankles or feet
  • Dizziness
  • Flushing (redness of the face)
  • Palpitations (feeling your heart beat rapidly or irregularly)
  • Fatigue (feeling tired)
simvastatin
  • Headache
  • Upper respiratory tract infection
  • Muscle pain
  • Diarrhea
FAERS Reports
amlodipine
  • Feeling tired 15,696
  • Diarrhea 14,038
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 13,425
  • Shortness of breath 13,222
  • Feeling lightheaded or unsteady 10,671
simvastatin
  • Tiredness 13,573
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 12,944
  • Shortness of breath 12,429
  • Diarrhea 11,813
  • Feeling lightheaded 10,971
Serious Warnings
amlodipine

Amlodipine may cause low blood pressure, especially if you have severe aortic stenosis. Some people with severe heart disease may experience worsening chest pain or a heart attack when starting or increasing the dose of amlodipine. If you have severe liver problems, your doctor will increase your dose slowly.

simvastatin

No specific warnings noted.

Pregnancy
amlodipine

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. High blood pressure during pregnancy can harm both the mother and the baby. Amlodipine passes into breast milk, but no harmful effects on the breastfed infant have been seen.

simvastatin

No pregnancy information available.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This amlodipine vs simvastatin Comparison

amlodipine is classified in the Calcium Channel Blocker drug class, while simvastatin sits within the HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor (Statin) class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, amlodipine has 67,052 submissions while simvastatin has 61,730. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known major interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to amlodipine makes it harder for your body to clear simvastatin, which raises the level of the cholesterol medicine in your blood.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between amlodipine and simvastatin - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.