What is Adalat
 Adalat
is in a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers. Adalat
relaxes (widens) your blood vessels (veins and arteries),
which makes it easier for the heart to pump and reduces its
workload.
Adalat
is used to lower hypertension (high blood pressure) and to
treat angina (chest pain).
Adalat
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
General medical information about Adalat
Do not stop taking Adalat without first talking to
your doctor, even if you begin to feel better. If you stop
taking the medication, your condition could become worse.
Do not crush, chew, or break any form of Adalat. Swallow
the pills whole.
Do not consume grapefruit or grapefruit
juice during treatment with Adalat. Adalat can interact with
grapefruit and grapefruit juice, and the interaction may have
dangerous effects. You should discuss the use of grapefruit
and grapefruit juice with your doctor.
What you should find out before taking
Adalat
Before taking Adalat, tell your doctor if you have:
- kidney disease;
- liver disease;
-
another disease of the heart or blood vessels such as sick
sinus syndrome, aortic stenosis, heart failure, low blood
pressure, or coronary artery disease.
You may not
be able to take Adalat, or you may require a dosage adjustment
or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of
the conditions listed above.
Adalat is in the FDA
pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether
Adalat will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take Adalat
without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant
or could become pregnant during treatment.
Adalat
passes into breast milk. Do not take Adalat without first
talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
If you are over 65 years of age, you may be more
likely to experience side effects from Adalat. Your doctor
may prescribe a lower dose of this medication.
How should take Adalat Take Adalat exactly as directed by your doctor. If
you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist,
nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each
dose with a full glass of water.
Adalat CC should
be taken on an empty stomach.
Do not crush, chew,
or break any form of Adalat. Swallow the pills whole.
Do not consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment
with Adalat. Adalat can interact with grapefruit and grapefruit
juice, and the interaction may have dangerous effects. You
should discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice
with your doctor.
Occasionally, the Procardia XL
tablet shell may be seen in the stool. This is not harmful.
The medicine has been absorbed by the body and the tablet
shell is designed to be eliminated in the stool.
Do not stop taking Adalat without first talking to your
doctor, even if you begin to feel better. If you stop taking
the medication, your condition could become worse.
Store Adalat at room temperature away from moisture and
heat.
If you miss a dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However,
if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed
dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do
not take a double dose of this medication.
What happens if you overdose: Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms
of a Adalat overdose include dizziness, weakness, chest
pain, shortness of breath, fainting, an unusually fast or
slow heartbeat, coma, slurred speech, and confusion.
Avoid while taking Adalat Do not consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice during
treatment with Adalat. Adalat can interact with grapefruit
and grapefruit juice, and the interaction may have dangerous
effects. You should discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit
juice with your doctor.
Follow any recommendations
your doctor makes about diet or exercise.
Use caution
when you stand or sit up from a lying position, especially
if you wake up during the night. You may become dizzy when
changing positions.
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol
may further lower blood pressure and increase drowsiness
or dizziness while taking Adalat.
Possible side effects of Adalat If you experience any of the following serious side
effects, stop taking Adalat and contact your doctor immediately
or seek emergency medical treatment:
- an allergic
reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling
of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
- unusually
fast or slow heartbeats;
- severe dizziness or fainting;
- psychosis;
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
(jaundice); or
- swelling of the legs or ankles.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely
to occur. Continue to take Adalat and talk to your doctor
if you experience
- headache, fatigue, or tiredness;
- flushing;
- insomnia;
- vivid or
abnormal dreams;
- nausea or constipation; or
-
increased urination.
Side effects other than those
listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any
side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Adalat Before taking Adalat, tell your doctor if you are
taking any of the following drugs:
- another heart
medication to treat the same or another condition;
-
cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB);
- erythromycin
(E-Mycin, E.E.S., Eryc, Ery-Tab, others);
- itraconazole
(Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral);
- carbamazepine
(Tegretol);
- phenytoin (Dilantin); or
- rifampin
(Rifadin, Rimactane) or rifabutin (Mycobutin).
You
may not be able to take Adalat, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking any of
the medicines listed above.
Drugs
other than those listed here may also interact with Adalat
or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist
before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines,
including herbal products. |
