Calcium- channel blockers have improved the life expectancy for those who are managing blood pressure maladies. However, in the wrong hands, in the wrong dose, these medications can become dangerous. Amlodipine is a commonly prescribed drug that is safe when taken as directed. If too much is taken, both children and adults can face serious health risks.
Why Overdose is so Dangerous
Calcium- channel blockers are one of the medications that are commonly involved in poisonings in the United States. Amlodipine overdose can quickly become life-threatening, especially at high doses. One reported case involved a young woman who took a large amount of amlodipine. When she arrived at the hospital, she had dangerously low blood pressure, and she needed intensive care. Her treatment required IV fluids, medications to raise blood pressure, calcium infusions, and lung problems, requiring days of life support and dialysis. She was able to make a full recovery after a long and challenging hospital stay.
Children under the age of 6 are at higher risk because a small amount can have a big effect on their smaller bodies. In some reported cases, symptoms have occurred with doses as low as 2.5mg. This means one pill can cause death in a child. Serious symptoms are more likely when doses reach 10mg or more.
Amlodipine works by relaxing blood vessels. In an overdose, this can cause symptoms such as:
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Drowsiness or unusual sleepiness
- Heart rhythm problems
- High blood sugar
There is no single “antidote” for amlodipine overdose. Treatment focuses on providing support to the patient until the medication is cleared from the body.
What You Can Do to Stay Safe
- Store medications out of reach and out of sight of children and pets
- Keep pills in child-resistant containers
- Never refer to medicine as “candy.”
- Follow the dosing instructions carefully
- Seek help right away if an overdose is suspected
When in Doubt, Call for Help
If you think a child, or anyone, may have taken too much amlodipine, do not wait for symptoms. Call the poison center at 1-800-222-1222. It is free, confidential, and available 24/7.
