Nifedipine
Description
Nifedipine is used to treat high blood pressure and other heart complications. The medicine should be taken in conjunction with a proper diet and regular exercise. It is also used in managing chest pain.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Nifedipine
- Swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Muscle cramps
- Shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
- Chest congestion
- Irregular breathing
- Pale skin
- Nausea or vomiting
- Belching
- Indigestion
- Abnormal ejaculation
- Trouble sleeping
Uses of Nifedipine
What is it prescribed for?
- Hypertension
- Angina pectoris
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe peak effect of this medicine can be observed in 30 to 120 minutes for a conventional tablet and 6 hours for an extended release tablet.
- Duration of effectThis effect of this medicine lasts for a duration of approximately 6 to 8 hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendency has been reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary. Consult your doctor about the potential benefits and risks before deciding to take this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Consult your doctor about the potential benefits and risks before deciding to take this medicine.
Allergy
Avoid if you have a known allergy to Nifedipine or any medicine of the same class.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary. Consult your doctor about the potential benefits and risks before deciding to take this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Consult your doctor about the potential benefits and risks before deciding to take this medicine.
General warnings
Hypotension
Use with caution in patients with severe aortic stenosis as it may lower the blood pressure because of the gradual onset of action. Consult your doctor if you experience any undesired effects.
Myocardial infarction or angina
Use with caution while starting or increasing the dose in patients with coronary artery diseases as it may worsen the symptoms of myocardial infarction or angina.
Impaired liver function
Use with caution in patients with severe liver failure. Increase the dose gradually and frequent monitoring of liver function tests is necessary.
Pediatric use
The safety and efficacy of Nifedipine have not been established in children aged below 18 years.
Missed Dose
The missed dose should be taken as soon possible. It is advisable to skip the missed dose if it's already time for your next scheduled dose.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Carbamazepine
Dexamethasone
Itraconazole
Rifampicin
Disease interactions
Aortic Stenosis
Nifedipine is not recommended in the patients with aortic stenosis due to the risk of developing myocardial oxygen imbalance. Inform the doctor about your clinical condition and an alternate medicine should be considered.
Hypotension or cardiogenic shock
Nifedipine is not recommended in patients suffering from hypotension or cardiogenic shock as it further reduces the blood pressure.
Food interactions
Consumption of grapefruit juice is not recommended as it increases the concentration of Nifedipine. Inform the doctor if you experience dizziness, headache, swelling of hands and feet is necessary.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Nifedipine capsule with or without food and the extended-release tablet should be taken on an empty stomach, either 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Do not take in larger amounts than advised. Inform the doctor if you experience any undesirable effects.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine works by inhibiting the influx of calcium into the muscles and causes relaxation of the muscles.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Calcium channel blocking agents
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 30 March 2017]. Available from:
Nifedipine: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 30 March 2017]. Available from:
DailyMed - Nifedipine capsule [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 30 March 2017]. Available from:
Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 30 March 2017]. Available from:
[Internet]. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 30 March 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 13 Feb 2019
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.