Apitim 5: Uses and notes when using

Article by Pharmacist - Master Pham Thi Kim Dung - Faculty of Pharmacy - Vinmec Times City International Hospital

Apitim 5 has the effect of blocking calcium channels, leading to inhibition of calcium flow into vascular smooth muscle leading to vasodilation, reducing peripheral circulatory resistance and lowering blood pressure. At the same time, drugs that reduce coronary spasm should be used alone or in combination with other drugs to help relieve symptoms of angina.
In summary, Apitim 5 is indicated in the treatment of hypertension, stable angina and vasospastic angina.

This is a prescription drug, prescribed by a doctor after being examined and assessed on the patient's condition. The drug should be taken as a whole tablet at a fixed time of the day to reduce forgetting and increase adherence.
Dosage of Apitim 5:
Adults: The usual starting dose in the treatment of hypertension and angina is 5 mg once daily, may be increased to a maximum dose of 10 mg once daily depending on the patient's condition. according to patient response.
Apitim 5 can be combined with other antihypertensive or angina medications, depending on the severity of the disease and the patient's response to medication. In the case of impaired liver function, you may be prescribed a lower dose, increase the dose more slowly than usual, and monitor your liver function more often to be on the safe side.
Children and adolescents: The drug may be prescribed for children or adolescents aged 6 - 17 years with hypertension. The recommended starting dose is 2.5 mg once daily, which may be increased to 5 mg once daily depending on patient response. Doses higher than 5 mg/day have not been studied in children.
However, this hard capsule dosage form is not suitable for divided doses and for use in children and adolescents. If you need to use the drug for children, you should ask your doctor to prescribe a tablet form that can be divided into two to make it easier to divide the dose and ensure the effectiveness and safety of treatment.
Medicines need to be taken every day, so when you forget to take them, you need to take them as soon as you remember them. However, if it is too close to the time you need to take your next dose (eg less than 12 hours) then just take the next dose without taking the missed dose.

Not all patients experience drug side effects, nor do all drug side effects occur in one patient.
During the first time taking the drug, the patient may feel headache, dizziness. You should change positions slowly to reduce these side effects. When you feel dizzy, you should lie down or sit down. Use caution when operating machinery or going up and down stairs.
In addition, you may experience symptoms such as tachycardia, leg swelling, fatigue, nausea, facial flushing...
You should talk to your doctor about side effects or unusual symptoms during treatment. medication use at regular visits. In case of side effects that make you uncomfortable or affect your daily activities such as severe edema, severe headache, dizziness, worsening chest pain, abdominal pain, fatigue, loss of appetite with dark urine or yellow skin eyes...you need to go to the hospital right away for advice and timely treatment.

Before a doctor prescribes a medication, a patient needs to talk to the doctor about their medical history, allergy history, and medications they are taking at home to ensure optimal and safe prescriptions.
You can only use Apitim 5 when prescribed and need to use the correct dose as prescribed. Do not increase, decrease the dose or discontinue treatment without consulting your doctor.
High blood pressure or angina is not a disease that can be cured in a short time. Taking medication will help you reduce uncomfortable symptoms, improve your quality of life, and reduce your risk of complications or complications from these conditions.
Medications for high blood pressure and angina are often used long-term. If the patient does not adhere to the treatment, quits the medication, or does not take it as prescribed, your condition may worsen or increase the risk of unwanted effects. The maximum antihypertensive effect is usually achieved after about 3-6 weeks of treatment, you need to be persistent in using the drug as prescribed.
Drugs can interact with other drugs, including dietary supplements, you should talk to your doctor, pharmacist when you need to take any more medicine. Patients should also not change or increase the dose of blood lipids without consulting their doctor.
During the use of the drug, patients should regularly measure their blood pressure at home on the advice of a doctor and exchange these results at subsequent visits. Compliance with treatment and regular or scheduled follow-up visits will help you to be closely monitored and have optimal treatment results.