What is the expected therapeutic effect of amlodipine (Norvasc)?

• A. Greater flexibility
• B. Decreased blood pressure
• C. Improved cognition
• D. Decreased pain

Answer: (B)

Amlodipine works as a calcium channel blocker that relaxes vascular smooth muscle, leading to lower blood pressure. By inhibiting L-type calcium channels in arterial walls, it reduces calcium entry into vascular smooth muscle cells, causing dilation of peripheral arteries. This arterial dilation lowers systemic vascular resistance, which decreases blood pressure. The primary therapeutic effect is reduced blood pressure in hypertension, and this class of drug can also help with certain types of angina by easing afterload. It does not improve cognition, reduce pain, or increase flexibility, so those effects are not expected with amlodipine.