Function

• Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker, meaning that it prevents calcium from moving into the cells in the heart or blood vessels. Atorvastatin lowers levels of cholesterol or fats in the bloodstream.
  
  

Effects

• Together, amlodipine and atorvastatin cause blood vessels to relax, which allows blood to pass more easily through the blood vessels.
  
  

Benefits

• When blood is able to move more freely, blood pressure decreases, making Caduet an effective treatment for hypertension. Additionally, blood that moves more freely through the body puts less strain on the heart, which causes a decrease in symptoms of chest pain or angina.
  
  

Risks

• The most common side effects of Caduet include swelling of the legs, dizziness, flushing, palpitations or a feeling of fluttering in the chest, headaches, fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain and drowsiness, according to rxlist.com. Caduet poses a rare risk of heart attacks, liver damage, a breakdown of muscle tissues and kidney failure in some patients.
  
  

Considerations

• Because it may cause birth defects or fetal harm, doctors avoid prescribing Caduet to pregnant women. If you have a history of alcoholism, impaired liver function, congestive heart failure, seizure disorders, low blood pressure, coronary artery disease or stroke, it may not be safe for you to take Caduet, according to the Mayo Clinic.