Drug Class: Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker | Form: Oral Tablet | Prescription Status: Prescription Only (Rx) — DRAP Registered
What is Sofvasc 5mg Tablet?
Sofvasc 5mg contains Amlodipine Besylate — a third-generation, long-acting dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker that relaxes and widens blood vessels by blocking calcium entry into blood vessel wall muscle cells. It is one of the most widely prescribed antihypertensive medicines worldwide — valued for its once-daily dosing, smooth and sustained blood pressure lowering effect, and well-established cardiovascular safety profile. Sofvasc 5mg is prescribed for high blood pressure (ہائی بلڈ پریشر) and chest pain due to chronic stable or vasospastic angina (سینے کا درد) — reducing the heart's workload, improving blood flow to the heart muscle, and lowering the long-term risk of heart attack (دل کا دورہ) and stroke (فالج) from uncontrolled hypertension.
What is Sofvasc 5mg Used For?
- Essential hypertension — first-line treatment for high blood pressure in adults and elderly patients (ہائی بلڈ پریشر)
- Chronic stable angina — long-term prevention of exertion-related chest pain in patients with coronary artery disease (سینے کا درد)
- Vasospastic angina (Prinzmetal's angina) — prevention of chest pain caused by coronary artery spasm
- Cardiovascular risk reduction — reducing the long-term risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular events in hypertensive patients with established risk factors
- Combination antihypertensive therapy — used alongside ARBs, ACE inhibitors, or diuretics when single-agent blood pressure control is insufficient
How Does Sofvasc 5mg Work?
Calcium Channel Blockade — Vascular Smooth Muscle Relaxation: Calcium ions are essential for the contraction of smooth muscle cells lining blood vessel walls. When calcium enters these cells through voltage-gated L-type calcium channels, the muscle contracts — narrowing the vessel and raising blood pressure. Amlodipine selectively blocks these L-type calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle — preventing calcium entry and causing the muscle cells to relax. This vasodilation widens blood vessels throughout the body — reducing peripheral vascular resistance and directly lowering blood pressure.
Coronary Artery Dilation: Amlodipine also dilates the coronary arteries — improving oxygen-rich blood flow to the heart muscle itself. This coronary vasodilation is particularly valuable in angina — both relieving the oxygen deficiency that causes chest pain during exertion (stable angina) and preventing the coronary artery spasm that causes Prinzmetal's angina at rest.
Long Duration of Action: Amlodipine has an exceptionally long plasma half-life of 35 to 50 hours — meaning a single daily dose maintains stable, consistent blood vessel relaxation and blood pressure control throughout the entire 24-hour period without the peaks and troughs associated with shorter-acting calcium channel blockers. This smooth pharmacokinetic profile also makes Amlodipine one of the safest calcium channel blockers to use in patients with heart failure.
Dosage and Administration
⚠️ Always take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Never stop Sofvasc suddenly without medical advice — abrupt discontinuation can cause rebound hypertension or worsening angina.
| Indication | Usual Starting Dose | Frequency | Maximum Daily Dose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hypertension | 5mg | Once daily | 10mg |
| Chronic stable angina | 5mg | Once daily | 10mg |
| Vasospastic angina | 5mg | Once daily | 10mg |
| Elderly patients | 2.5mg | Once daily | 5mg |
Critical Dosing Rules:
- If blood pressure or angina is not adequately controlled on 5mg after 1 to 2 weeks, your doctor may increase the dose to 10mg once daily — never increase the dose yourself without medical advice
- Elderly patients and those with liver impairment should start at 2.5mg — they are more sensitive to Amlodipine's blood pressure lowering effect
- Never stop Sofvasc suddenly — always taper under your doctor's supervision to avoid rebound hypertension or angina
- Blood pressure and heart rate must be monitored regularly throughout treatment
- Liver impairment significantly slows Amlodipine metabolism — use the lowest effective dose with close monitoring in liver disease patients
How to Take:
- Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water
- May be taken with or without food — take consistently the same way each day
- Take at the same time each day — consistent once-daily dosing maintains stable blood pressure and angina control
- If a dose is missed, take it as soon as remembered the same day — skip if it is the next day; never double the dose
Active Ingredients
| Ingredient | Strength per Tablet |
|---|---|
| Amlodipine Besylate | 5mg (equivalent to Amlodipine 3.47mg) |
Who Should NOT Take Sofvasc 5mg?
Do not take if you:
- Are allergic to Amlodipine, any dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, or any ingredient in the tablet
- Have severe hypotension — systolic blood pressure below 90mmHg
- Have severe aortic stenosis — Amlodipine can cause dangerous blood pressure drop in this condition
- Have cardiogenic shock
- Are pregnant — unless specifically prescribed and supervised by your doctor
- Are breastfeeding
Always consult your doctor before taking Sofvasc if you have:
- Heart failure — Amlodipine is generally safe in stable heart failure but requires careful initiation and monitoring (دل کی کمزوری)
- Liver disease (جگر کی بیماری) — reduced metabolism; start at 2.5mg and monitor closely
- Unstable angina or recent heart attack — initiation requires specialist supervision
- Severely impaired kidney function (گردے کی بیماری) — monitor blood pressure and response closely
- Are elderly — start at 2.5mg; higher sensitivity to blood pressure lowering and falls risk
- Are taking other antihypertensives, CYP3A4 inhibitors, or Simvastatin — interaction risks
Side Effects
Common Side Effects:
- Ankle swelling (peripheral oedema) — most common side effect; caused by local vasodilation and fluid shift into surrounding tissue; more common at 10mg than 5mg
- Flushing or feeling of warmth — particularly in the face and neck; vasodilation related
- Headache — usually mild and improves with continued use after the first few weeks
- Dizziness or light-headedness — particularly when standing up quickly; elderly patients must take extra care to avoid falls
- Fatigue or tiredness — usually mild and temporary
- Palpitations — awareness of heartbeat; reflex tachycardia from blood pressure lowering; usually transient
- Nausea or mild stomach discomfort
Serious Side Effects — Stop Taking and Seek Medical Help Immediately:
- Severe hypotension — extreme dizziness, fainting, or collapse — particularly after dose increase or in dehydrated patients (طبی ہنگامی صورتحال)
- Worsening angina or heart attack — rare but reported particularly at initiation in patients with severe obstructive coronary disease; seek emergency care immediately
- Severe allergic reaction — swelling of face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, widespread rash (یہ طبی ہنگامی صورتحال ہے)
- Severe skin reactions — erythema multiforme, widespread blistering or peeling skin — rare but stop immediately and seek medical attention
- Jaundice or liver toxicity — yellowing of skin or eyes (یرقان), dark urine, extreme fatigue — rare; stop immediately and seek medical care
- Severe ankle or leg swelling — rapidly worsening oedema that does not settle should be reported to your doctor for evaluation
Drug Interactions
| Medicine / Substance | Possible Interaction |
|---|---|
| CYP3A4 Inhibitors — Ketoconazole, Itraconazole, Clarithromycin, Erythromycin | Significantly increase Amlodipine blood levels — risk of excessive blood pressure lowering and side effects; use with caution and monitor blood pressure closely |
| CYP3A4 Inducers — Rifampicin, Carbamazepine, Phenytoin, St John's Wort | Significantly reduce Amlodipine blood levels — may reduce its antihypertensive effectiveness; inform your doctor |
| Simvastatin | Amlodipine increases Simvastatin blood levels by up to 77% — serious muscle damage (myopathy/rhabdomyolysis) risk; Simvastatin dose must not exceed 20mg daily when combined |
| Cyclosporine / Tacrolimus | Amlodipine increases blood levels of these immunosuppressants — toxicity risk; monitor levels closely |
| Other antihypertensives (e.g., ARBs, ACE inhibitors, diuretics, beta-blockers) | Additive blood pressure lowering — excessive hypotension risk; monitor blood pressure carefully |
| Sildenafil (Viagra) | Additive blood pressure lowering — monitor for excessive hypotension particularly with the first dose of Sildenafil |
| Diltiazem (in elderly) | Increases Amlodipine blood levels — monitor for excessive blood pressure lowering and bradycardia |
| Alcohol (شراب) | Enhances blood pressure lowering and significantly increases dizziness and fainting risk — avoid completely |
Storage Instructions
- Store below 30°C in a cool, dry place
- Protect from moisture and direct sunlight
- Keep in original blister pack until use
- Keep out of reach of children (بچوں کی پہنچ سے دور رکھیں)
- Do not use after the expiry date printed on the pack
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I stop taking Sofvasc 5mg if my blood pressure feels normal? Never stop without your doctor's advice — normal readings confirm the medicine is working effectively; stopping suddenly risks dangerous rebound hypertension and significantly raises the risk of stroke and heart attack.
Q: Why does Sofvasc 5mg cause ankle swelling? Ankle swelling is the most common side effect of Amlodipine — caused by local blood vessel dilation allowing fluid to shift into surrounding ankle tissue; it is usually harmless but should always be reported to your doctor if it becomes painful, severe, or rapidly worsens.
Q: Can Sofvasc 5mg be taken with Simvastatin for cholesterol? Yes — but with an important caution; Amlodipine significantly raises Simvastatin blood levels increasing muscle damage risk; Simvastatin must not exceed 20mg daily when taken with Amlodipine; inform your doctor so your statin dose can be reviewed.
Q: Is Sofvasc 5mg safe for elderly patients? Yes — Amlodipine is generally well tolerated in elderly patients but should be started at the lower 2.5mg dose due to higher sensitivity to blood pressure lowering effects and increased falls risk from dizziness.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for general awareness only and does not replace advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Sofvasc 5mg is a prescription cardiovascular medicine — never start, stop, or adjust the dose without consulting your healthcare provider. Regular blood pressure monitoring is essential during treatment.