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What is nifedipine
 Nifedipine
is in a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers. Nifedipine
relaxes (widens) your blood vessels (veins and arteries),
which makes it easier for the heart to pump and reduces its
workload.
Nifedipine
is used to lower hypertension (high blood pressure) and to
treat angina (chest pain).
Nifedipine
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
General medical information about nifedipine
Do not stop taking nifedipine 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 nifedipine.
Swallow the pills whole.
Do not consume grapefruit
or grapefruit juice during treatment with nifedipine. Nifedipine
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 nifedipine Before taking nifedipine, 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 nifedipine, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you
have any of the conditions listed above.
Nifedipine
is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is
not known whether nifedipine will be harmful to an unborn
baby. Do not take nifedipine without first talking to your
doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during
treatment.
Nifedipine passes into breast milk. Do
not take nifedipine 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 nifedipine. Your doctor may prescribe a lower
dose of this medication.
How should take nifedipine Take nifedipine 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 nifedipine. Swallow the pills whole.
Do not consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice during
treatment with nifedipine. Nifedipine 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 nifedipine 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 nifedipine 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 nifedipine overdose include dizziness, weakness, chest
pain, shortness of breath, fainting, an unusually fast or
slow heartbeat, coma, slurred speech, and confusion.
Avoid while taking nifedipine Do not consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice during
treatment with nifedipine. Nifedipine 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 nifedipine.
Possible side effects of nifedipine If you experience any of the following serious side
effects, stop taking nifedipine 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 nifedipine
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 nifedipine Before taking nifedipine, 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 nifedipine, 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 nifedipine
or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist
before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines,
including herbal products. |
