Consensi Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Consensi Tablet combines amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker, with celecoxib, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), in one pill. It is used in adults who need treatment for both high blood pressure and osteoarthritis symptoms at the same time. The Consensi brand and its generics have been discontinued in the United States.

What is Consensi Tablet

Consensi is a prescription tablet that combines two medicines in one pill: amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker for high blood pressure, and celecoxib, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for osteoarthritis pain. It is used in adults who need treatment with both medicines together. Note: the Consensi brand and its generics have been discontinued in the United States.

Consensi Tablet uses

• Treating high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults
• Managing the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis in adults

Benefits of Consensi Tablet

• Helps lower blood pressure, which reduces the risk of fatal and non-fatal heart attacks and strokes
• Reduces joint pain, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis

How Consensi Tablet works

Consensi works in two ways. The amlodipine part relaxes and widens blood vessels by blocking calcium from entering vascular muscle cells, which lowers blood pressure. The celecoxib part blocks an enzyme called COX-2, which lowers substances in the body called prostaglandins that cause pain and inflammation in the joints.

Consensi Tablet dosage

Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to, usually once a day. Take it with a full glass of water, and do not lie down for at least 10 minutes after taking it. If your stomach feels upset, you can take it with food, milk, or an antacid. It can be taken with or without food, since food does not significantly change how much medicine your body absorbs.

If your joint pain goes away, do not stop taking this medicine until your doctor prescribes a different medicine for your blood pressure, since it is also controlling your blood pressure. It may take up to two weeks of regular use before you feel the full benefit for your joint symptoms. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but skip it if it is almost time for your next dose — do not double up. Older, smaller, or frail adults, or those with mild liver problems, are usually started on a lower dose by their doctor.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablets (2.5 mg/200 mg, 5 mg/200 mg, and 10 mg/200 mg amlodipine/celecoxib strengths)

Side effects of Consensi Tablet

Common

• Swelling of the arms, legs, hands, and feet
• Joint swelling
• Dizziness
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea
• Heartburn
• Headache
• Frequent urination
• Hot or warm feeling in the face (flushing)
• Gas
• Tiredness
• Extreme sleepiness
• Belching
• Body aches or pain
• Runny or stuffy nose

Serious

• Liver problems, including liver failure
• Worsening chest pain (angina) or heart attack
• Heart failure
• Serious kidney problems, including kidney failure
• Increased potassium levels (hyperkalemia)
• Life-threatening allergic reactions
• Life-threatening skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis
• Low red blood cells (anemia)
• Serious stomach or intestinal bleeding, ulcers, or tears
• Heart attack or stroke

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine can increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke that can lead to death. This risk can happen early in treatment and may increase with higher doses or longer use.
• Do not take this medicine right before or after a heart bypass surgery (CABG), and avoid taking it after a recent heart attack unless your healthcare provider tells you to.
• This medicine increases the risk of bleeding, ulcers, and tears in the esophagus, stomach, and intestines, which can happen at any time without warning and can be fatal.
• Do not take other medicines that contain NSAIDs or salicylates while on this medicine, since it increases the risk of stomach problems without added pain relief.
• This medicine should only be used exactly as prescribed, at the lowest dose possible, and for the shortest time needed.
• Do not take this medicine if you've had an asthma attack, hives, or other allergic reaction to aspirin or other NSAIDs, or an allergic reaction to sulfonamides, or if you are allergic to its ingredients.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. 
• This medicine should not be used starting at about 30 weeks of pregnancy, and if used between 20 and 30 weeks, your doctor may need to monitor the fluid around your baby.
• This medicine can pass into breast milk in small amounts. Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you take this medicine.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems before starting this medicine, since it can cause new or worsening kidney problems.
• Tell your doctor if you have liver problems before starting this medicine, since it can cause serious liver problems including liver failure.
• Drinking alcohol regularly while taking this medicine can increase your risk of stomach bleeding, so it's best to limit alcohol and ask your doctor how much is safe.
• This medicine may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you know how it affects you.

Storage

• Store the tablets at room temperature between 68°F and 77°F (20°C to 25°C)
• Store away from light and moisture; do not store in the bathroom
• Keep all medicines out of the reach of children and pets
• Do not flush this medication down the toilet or pour it into a drain unless told to do so; ask your pharmacist how to properly dispose of unused medicine

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you have shortness of breath or trouble breathing, chest pain, weakness on one side of your body, slurred speech, or swelling of the face or throat.
• Stop taking this medicine and call your healthcare provider right away if you have nausea, feel more tired or weaker than usual, diarrhea, itching, yellowing of your skin or eyes, indigestion or stomach pain, flu-like symptoms, vomit blood, black or bloody stools, unusual weight gain, or skin rash or blisters with fever.
• Check with your doctor right away if you notice pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or yellow eyes or skin, which could be signs of a serious liver problem.
• Check with your doctor right away if you have bloody urine, decreased urination, increased blood pressure, increased thirst, lower back or side pain, swelling of the face, fingers, or legs, trouble breathing, or unusual tiredness, which could signal a serious kidney problem.
• Call your doctor right away if you notice symptoms of high potassium levels, such as stomach pain, confusion, trouble breathing, irregular heartbeat, nausea, nervousness, or numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or lips.
• Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, trouble breathing or swallowing, or swelling of your hands, face, or mouth, as this may be a serious allergic reaction.

Alternatives

• Valsartan
• Lasix
• Amlodipine