Emlon Plus

Amlodipine & Atenolol

Composition:

• Emlon Plus Each film coated tablet contains Amlodipine Besylate BP equivalent to Amlodipine 5mg and Atenolol BP 50mg.

Pharmacology:

Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist that inhibits the transmembrane influx of calcium ions into vascular smooth muscle and cardiac muscle. Amlodipine is a peripheral vasodilator that acts directly on vascular smooth muscle to cause a reduction in peripheral vascular resistance and reduction in blood pressure. Amlodipine reduces tone, decreases coronary vasoreactivity and lowers cardiac demand by reducing after load. Atenolol is a cardio selective beta-blocker. Atenolol causes a reduction in blood pressure by lowering cardiac output, decreasing the plasma renin activity and sympathetic outflow from CNS. Atenolol also causes a reduction in myocardial oxygen demand by virtue of its negative inotropic and negative chronotropic effects.

Indications :

* Patients with essential hypertension

* Patients with angina pectoris & hypertension as co-existing diseases

* In post MI patients

* In patients with refractory angina Pectoris where nitrate therapy has failed.

Dosage &  Administration :

The therapy is initiated with a single dose of Amlodipine 5mg and Atenolol 50mg depending upon the therapeutic response, titration of the dosage is recommended. In elderly patients, it is advisable to initiate the therapy with 1/2 tablet to fixed dose combination of Amlodipine & Atenolol.

Contra-indications:

• Hypersensitivity to either component, sinus bradycardia, second and third degrees of heart block, cardiogenic shock, hypotension, congestive heart failure, poor left ventricular function.

Precautions:

• Symptomatic hypotension is possible, particularly in patients with severe aortic stenosis. However, because of the gradual onset of action, acute hypotension is unlikely. Worsening angina and acute myocardial infarction can develop after starting or increasing the dose of Amlodipine, particularly in patients with severe obstructive coronary artery disease. Titrate slowly when administering calcium channel blockers to patients with severe hepatic impairment.

Side-effects:

• The combination of Amlodipine and Atenolol is well tolerated. Overall side effects include fatigue, headache, edema, nausea, drowsiness, anxiety, depression and alopecia.

Use In pregnancy and lactation:

• The combination should be used during pregnancy only if the expected benefit outweighs the potential fetal risk. The combination should not be used by nursing mothers. If its use is considered necessary, breast-feeding should be stopped.

Use in Child: There is no data available.

Drug interactions:

Disopyramide : Atenolol reduces the clearance of disopyramide by 20%. Additive negative inotropic effects on the heart may be produced. Ampicillin : At doses of 1gm and above may reduce Atenolol levels. Oral antidiabetics and insulin: Beta-blockers may decrease tissue sensitivity to insulin and Inhibit insulin secretion e.g. in response to oral antidiabetics.

Overdose:

• The most common signs expected with overdoses of Amlodipine are bradycardia. hypotension, broncliospasm, acute cardiac insufficiency and hypoglycemia, peripheral vasodilatation and possibly reflex tachycardia.

Pharmaceutical Precautions

• Store in a cool dry place. Protect from light.

Commercial pack

• Emlon Plus tablet : Each box contains 3 x 10 tablets in a blister pack.

Biopharma Ltd. produces EMLON PLUS TABLET it is a trusted product for alleviating various discomforts, and it's commonly found in pharmacies and stores.