Caduet contains two active ingredients, amlodipine besylate and atorvastatin calcium. It is a prescription medication used in people who need treatment for certain heart and blood vessel conditions as well as high cholesterol.
Because Caduet combines two medicines in one tablet, it may help simplify treatment for people who need both blood pressure or angina control and cholesterol-lowering therapy.
High Blood Pressure
Caduet may be used to treat high blood pressure, also called hypertension.
High blood pressure occurs when blood pushes against the walls of the arteries with more force than normal over a long period of time. It often does not cause noticeable symptoms, but if it is not controlled, it can damage the heart, brain, kidneys, and blood vessels.
Amlodipine, one of the active ingredients in Caduet, helps relax and widen the blood vessels. This allows blood to flow more easily and helps lower blood pressure.
Keeping blood pressure within a healthy range can help reduce the risk of complications such as:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Heart failure
- Kidney problems
- Damage to blood vessels
Chronic Stable Angina
Caduet may also be used to treat chronic stable angina.
Angina is chest pain or discomfort that occurs when the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. Stable angina often happens during physical activity, emotional stress, or other situations that make the heart work harder.
Symptoms may include:
- Pressure or squeezing in the chest
- Chest tightness
- Pain that may spread to the arm, shoulder, neck, jaw, or back
- Shortness of breath
- Unusual tiredness
Amlodipine helps widen blood vessels and improve blood flow to the heart. This can reduce how often angina occurs and may improve the ability to perform daily activities.
Angina Caused by Coronary Artery Spasm
Caduet may also be used for angina caused by temporary spasms in the coronary arteries.
These spasms cause the arteries supplying the heart to suddenly narrow, which reduces blood flow to the heart muscle.
Amlodipine helps relax the coronary arteries and may reduce the frequency and severity of these episodes.
High Cholesterol
Caduet is also used to manage high cholesterol.
Cholesterol is a fatty substance the body needs in small amounts. However, too much LDL cholesterol can build up inside the arteries and form plaque.
Over time, plaque can narrow or block the arteries and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Atorvastatin, the second active ingredient in Caduet, lowers the amount of cholesterol produced by the liver.
Primary Hyperlipidemia
Caduet may be prescribed for primary hyperlipidemia, a condition in which cholesterol levels are higher than recommended.
Atorvastatin can help lower:
- LDL cholesterol, often called “bad” cholesterol
- Total cholesterol
- Triglycerides
It may also help increase HDL cholesterol, often called “good” cholesterol.
Mixed Dyslipidemia
Caduet may also be used for mixed dyslipidemia.
This means more than one type of blood fat is outside the recommended range. For example, a person may have high LDL cholesterol and triglycerides along with low HDL cholesterol.
By improving several cholesterol measurements at the same time, atorvastatin can help reduce the amount of fatty material that builds up in the arteries.
Cardiovascular Risk Reduction
Caduet may be prescribed to help lower the risk of serious cardiovascular events in people who have several risk factors for coronary heart disease.
Risk factors may include:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Older age
- A family history of cardiovascular disease
By treating both blood pressure and cholesterol, Caduet can address two important risk factors at the same time.
Reducing the Risk of Heart Attack
High blood pressure and high cholesterol can both contribute to damage and narrowing of the arteries.
Lowering blood pressure reduces stress on the blood vessel walls, while lowering LDL cholesterol helps slow the buildup of plaque.
Together, these effects can help lower the risk of a heart attack.
Reducing the Risk of Stroke
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for stroke, while cholesterol buildup can narrow arteries that supply blood to the brain.
By lowering both blood pressure and cholesterol, Caduet can help reduce the risk of certain types of stroke.
Reducing the Need for Revascularization Procedures
Some people with narrowed or blocked arteries may eventually need procedures to restore blood flow, such as angioplasty, stent placement, or bypass surgery.
Atorvastatin helps slow the progression of atherosclerosis, while amlodipine helps improve blood flow and control blood pressure. These effects may help lower the likelihood of needing certain cardiovascular procedures.
How Caduet Works
Caduet combines two different types of medication that work in complementary ways.
How Amlodipine Works
Amlodipine belongs to a class of medicines called calcium channel blockers.
Calcium helps the muscle cells in the heart and blood vessels contract. Amlodipine reduces the movement of calcium into certain muscle cells.
This causes the blood vessels to relax and widen.
As a result:
- Blood pressure decreases
- The heart does not have to pump against as much resistance
- Blood flow to the heart may improve
- Angina symptoms may become less frequent
How Atorvastatin Works
Atorvastatin belongs to a class of medicines called statins.
It blocks an enzyme in the liver called HMG-CoA reductase. The liver uses this enzyme to produce cholesterol.
When the enzyme is blocked, the liver makes less cholesterol and removes more LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream.
This helps lower harmful cholesterol levels and may slow the buildup of plaque inside the arteries.
How the Two Medicines Work Together
Amlodipine and atorvastatin address different cardiovascular risk factors.
Amlodipine mainly helps control blood pressure and improve blood flow, while atorvastatin helps control cholesterol and reduce plaque buildup.
Using both medicines together can help protect the heart and blood vessels over the long term.
What to Expect During Treatment
Caduet is usually taken regularly every day, even when you feel well.
High blood pressure and high cholesterol often do not cause obvious symptoms, so you may not feel different even when the medication is working.
Your healthcare provider may monitor your:
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol levels
- Liver function
- Muscle symptoms
- Overall cardiovascular risk
Regular testing helps determine whether the medication is working effectively and safely.
Important Treatment Considerations
Take Caduet exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
Do not change your dose or stop taking the medication without medical advice. Suddenly stopping blood pressure treatment can cause your blood pressure to rise again, while stopping cholesterol treatment may allow cholesterol levels to increase.
Caduet works best when combined with healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating a balanced diet, staying physically active as recommended, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding smoking.
Contact your healthcare provider if you experience new muscle pain or weakness, severe dizziness, swelling, chest pain that becomes worse, or other concerning symptoms while taking Caduet.
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