Drug Name: Nifedipine ER
Brand Names: Adalat, Adalat CC, Nifedical XL, Procardia XL, Procardia
Generic Name: Nifedipine
Uses: Nifedipine is used to treat high blood pressure. It works by relaxing your blood vessels which then reduces the amount of work the heart needs to do. It also increases the heart’s supply of blood and oxygen which helps control chest angina. Nifedipine though is not a cure, it can just prevent the attacks or the symptoms exhibited in chest angina and reduce high blood pressure. Once angina attacks happen, taking nifedipine cannot treat these attacks. Other conditions that may be treated by nifedipine are migraine headaches, Raynaud’s syndrome, congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy.
How to use: The usual dose of nifedipine ER is three times a day, either an hour or 2 hours after a meal. It should be swallowed whole with a full glass of water and should not be chewed, crushed or cut. You should take the medicine as directed by your doctor and only stop taking them only when ordered to do so.
Side Effects: Common side effects experienced in taking nifedipine are facial flushing, headache and weakness or tiredness. Some severe side effects may also occur. These are blood in the urine, fast heartbeat, palpitations, chest pain, difficulty breathing, dizziness, fainting spells, lightheadedness, redness, blistering, skin rash and swelling of the legs and ankles. These serious conditions require immediate medical attention.
Precautions: You need to inform your doctor of your other conditions before starting nifedipine treatment. These include difficulty swallowing, heart problems, low blood pressure, irregular heartbeat and liver disease. If you are pregnant and are breastfeeding, you also need to consult your doctor about this before starting the treatment. Grapefruit or grapefruit juice should also be avoided as this may have interactions with the drug.
Drug Interaction: Nifedipine may interact with alcohol, NSAIDs, barbiturates, bosentan, calcium salts, cimetidine, cyclosporine, birth control pills, herbal or dietary supplements, imatinib, local or general anesthetics, magnesium salts, meformin, some antibiotics, diuretics and medicines for fungal infections, HIV infection or AIDS, prostate problems and seizures. You need to inform your doctor if you are taking any of these medications before taking Nifedipine.
Overdose: Contact your local emergency unit in case of an overdose.
Notes: Nifedipine may cause you to get dizzy or lightheaded. Before you know how the medicine affects you, you should refrain from doing activities that need mental alertness.
Missed Dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you have remembered. If however it is 6 to 8 hours before your next one, just skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Never double up your dosage.
Important Note: Blood pressure and pulse rates need to be regularly checked. Ask your doctor on what the desired or what the acceptable rate is and what rate you need to be alarmed about. You should also not suddenly stop taking nifedipine. Medication should be gradually reduced before completely stopping it.
Storage: Nifedipine should be kept tightly closed and kept away from moisture and heat. It should be stored at room temperature (15 to 25 degrees C or 59 to 77 degrees F)
For more Nifedipine information:
Medline Plus Nifedipine details
Drug digest information on nifedipine- a calcium channel blocker
