Introduction

Combicard 5/50 is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). This is a combination of two medicines that controls blood pressure when a single medication is not effective. It helps to lower high blood pressure and thus reduces the chances of future heart attack and stroke. You can take Combicard 5/50 at any time of day, on empty stomach, but it is best to take it at the same time each day. Keep taking it for as long as advised by your doctor. Even if you feel well, do not stop this medicine on your own because high blood pressure often has no symptoms. If you stop taking it, your condition may get worse. Keeping active with regular exercise, reducing your weight and eating a healthy diet will also help control your blood pressure. Follow your doctor's advice while taking this medicine. It may cause side effects like headache, ankle swelling, slow heart rate, and nausea. It may also cause dizziness, so do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you. This might raise the level of potassium in the blood, hence avoid potassium rich food or supplements. You may be asked for regular monitoring of blood pressure, kidney function, and electrolytes level while on the treatment. Before taking it, let your doctor know if you have any liver or kidney problems. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should also consult their doctor for advice before taking this medicine. You also need to tell your doctor what other medicines you are taking especially those used to treat high blood pressure or heart conditions.

Uses of Combicard 5/50

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)

Side effects of Combicard 5/50

• Sleepiness
• Headache
• Ankle swelling
• Flushing (sense of warmth in the face, ears, neck and trunk)
• Slow heart rate
• Palpitations
• Nausea
• Edema (swelling)
• Constipation
• Tiredness
• Cold extremities

How to use Combicard 5/50

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Combicard 5/50 is to be taken empty stomach.

How Combicard 5/50 works

Combicard 5/50 is a combination of two medicines: Amlodipine and Atenolol, which lowers blood pressure effectively. Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker which works by relaxing blood vessels while atenolol is a beta blocker which works specifically on the heart to slow down the heart rate. Together, they make the heart more efficient at pumping blood throughout the body.