General Information and Indications:
Nifedipine is used to treat high blood
pressure. It relaxes your blood vessels so your heart does not have to pump
as hard. It also increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart to
control chest pain (angina). If taken regularly, nifedipine controls chest
pain, but it does not stop chest pain once it starts. Your doctor may give
you a different medication to take when you have chest pain.
Information For Users:
Nifedipine comes as a capsule and an
extended-release tablet (long-acting) to take by mouth. It is usually taken
one or three times a day. The extended-release tablet should be taken on an
empty stomach, either 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal, and should be
swallowed whole. Do not chew, divide, or crush the tablet. Follow the
directions on your prescription label, ask your doctor or pharmacist If you
have any questions. Take nifedipine exactly as directed. Do not take more or
less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your health care
provider.
Nifedipine controls high blood pressure and chest pain (angina) but does not
cure them. Continue taking nifedipine even if you feel well. Do not
discontinue taking nifedipine without informing your doctor.
Other uses for this medicine
Nifedipine is also used sometimes to treat migraine headaches, Raynaud's
syndrome, congestive heart failure, and cardiomyopathy. Talk to your doctor
about the possible risks of using this medication.
Special
precautions:
o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have
allergy to nifedipine or any other medications.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription
medications you are taking, especially cimetidine (Tagamet); fentanyl (Duragesic);
heart and blood pressure medications like beta-blockers, digoxin (Lanoxin),
warfarin (Coumadin), and quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex); phenytoin (Dilantin);
ranitidine (Zantac); and vitamins.
o inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding heart, liver, or kidney
disease.
o Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are
breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking nifedipine, call your
doctor.
o if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, Inform your doctor or
dentist that you are taking nifedipine.
Nifedipine capsules may be taken with or without food, but the nifedipine
extended-release tablets should be taken on an empty stomach, either 1 hour
before or 2 hours after a meal.
Avoid drinking grapefruit juice or eating grapefruit 1 hour before or for 2
hours after taking nifedipine.
Do not drink alcoholic beverages while taking this medication.
Talk to your doctor before using salt substitutes containing potassium. If
your doctor prescribes a low-salt or low-sodium diet, follow these
directions carefully.
Possible Adverse
Effects:
Though adverse effects of nifedipine are not
common, they could occur. Inform your doctor if any of the following
symptoms are severe or do not go away:
o headache
o upset stomach
o lightheadedness or dizziness
o extreme tiredness (fatigue)
o flushing
o heartburn
o fast heartbeat
o muscle cramps
o enlargement of gum tissue around teeth
o constipation
o nasal congestion
o cough
o decreased sexual ability (Impotence)
If you have any of the following symptoms, call your doctor without delay:
o swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs
o difficulty swallowing or breathing
o fainting
o rash
o yellowing of the skin or eyes, jaundice
o increase in frequency or severity of chest pain (angina)
Brand Name(s):
o Adalat®
o Adalat® CC
o Nifedical® XL
o Procardia XL® |
