ADALAT(Nifedipine) is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker. Its main uses are in angina pectoris (especially Prinzmetal's angina) and hypertension, although a large number of other uses have recently been found for this agent, such as Raynaud's phenomenon, premature labor, and painful spasms of the esophagus in cancer and tetanus patients. It is also commonly used for the small subset of pulmonary hypertension patients whose symptoms respond to calcium channel blockers.
NIFEDIPINE (Adalat® CC, Procardia XL®) is a calcium-channel blocker. It affects the amount of calcium found in your heart and muscle cells. This results in relaxation of blood vessels, which can reduce the amount of work the heart has to do. Depending on the dosage form, nifedipine reduces attacks of chest pain (angina), and/or helps reduce high blood pressure (hypertension). It is not a cure.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
difficulty swallowing
heart problems, low blood pressure, slow or irregular heartbeat
liver disease
previous heart attack
over 65 years old
an unusual or allergic reaction to nifedipine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine?
Take nifedipine tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water; do not cut, crush or chew. Avoid taking nifedipine with grapefruit juice or grapefruit. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often then directed. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
Elderly patients over 65 years old may have a stronger reaction to this medicine and need smaller doses.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, (less than 6 to 8 hours) take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What drug(s) may interact with nifedipine?
Do not take Nifedipine with any of the following:
grapefruit juice
Nifedipine may also interact with the following medications:
alcohol
antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen)
barbiturates such as phenobarbital
bosentan
calcium salts (intravenous)
cimetidine
cyclosporine
female hormones, including contraceptive or birth control pills
herbal or dietary supplements such as ginkgo biloba, ginseng, hawthorn, ma huang (ephedra), melatonin, St. John's wort, red yeast rice
imatinib, STI-571
local anesthetics or general anesthetics
magnesium salts (intravenous)
medicines for fungal infections (fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole)
medicines for high blood pressure
medicines for HIV infection or AIDS
medicines for prostate problems
medicines for seizures (carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone)
some antibiotics (clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin, troleandomycin)
some medicines for heart-rhythm problems (amiodarone, digoxin, diltiazem, disopyramide, flecainide, quinidine, verapamil)
some medicines for depression or mental problems (fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, nefazodone)
tacrolimus
vincristine
warfarin
water pills (diuretics)
yohimbine
zafirlukast
zileuton
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What side effects may I notice from taking nifedipine?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
blood in the urine
fast heartbeat, palpitations, irregular heartbeat, chest pain
difficulty breathing
dizziness
fainting spells, lightheadedness
reduced amount of urine passed
redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
skin rash
swelling of the legs and ankles
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
facial flushing
headache
weakness or tiredness
What should I watch for while taking nifedipine?
Check your blood pressure and pulse rate regularly; this is important while you are taking nifedipine. Ask your prescriber or health care professional what your blood pressure and pulse rate should be and when you should contact him or her. Do not suddenly stop taking nifedipine. Ask your prescriber or health care professional how to gradually reduce the dose.
You may feel dizzy or lightheaded. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how nifedipine affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells, do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Alcohol can make you more dizzy, increase flushing and rapid heartbeats. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking nifedipine.
If you are taking Procardia XL, you may notice the empty shell of the tablet in your stool.
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 25 degrees C (59 and 77 degrees F). Protect from light and moisture. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
What is the shelf life of the pills?
The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.
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