Nifedipine is a prescription medication commonly used to treat high blood pressure and chest pain. It helps relax blood vessels to improve blood flow.
Nifedipine tablet is available as Adalat CC, Afeditab CR, and Procardia XL brand-name products. These are tablets with extended-release. Over time, an extended-release drug is released into the bloodstream slowly. As the brand-name drug Procardia, Nifedipine immediate-release capsules are available.
What are the Uses of Nifedipine tablets?
Nifedipine is mainly prescribed for heart-related conditions and works by relaxing blood vessels to ease blood flow and reduce the heart's workload.
Treats chest pain (angina) by stopping pain and allowing increased exercise.
Reduces the frequency of angina attacks.
Relaxes blood vessels to lower blood pressure, reducing heart workload.
Increases blood and oxygen supply to the heart.
Belongs to a class of drugs known as calcium channel blockers.
Should not be used to treat chest pain attacks as they occur.
Use other medications like sublingual nitroglycerin for immediate relief as advised.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Older adults should discuss risks, benefits, and safer alternatives with their doctor or pharmacist.
How Does Nifedipine Tablet Work (Mechanism of Action)?
Nifedipine works by blocking calcium from entering the heart and blood vessel walls, allowing them to relax and improve oxygen supply to the heart.
Relaxes and widens blood vessels by blocking calcium entry
Reduces the heart's workload and oxygen demand
Helps prevent angina by increasing blood flow to heart muscles
Manages high blood pressure by improving circulation
Nifedipine Dosage Instructions
Always follow your doctor's instructions regarding dosage. The dose may vary depending on your condition and how your body responds to the treatment.
Available Forms and Strengths
Oral capsule: 10 mg, 20 mg
Oral extended-release tablet: 30 mg, 60 mg, 90 mg
Brand Names
Adalat CC
Oral extended-release tablet: 30 mg, 60 mg, 90 mg
Afeditab CR
Oral extended-release tablet: 30 mg, 60 mg
Procardia XL
Oral extended-release tablet: 30 mg, 60 mg, 90 mg
Procardia
Oral capsule: 10 mg
Dosage for Conditions
Dosage for Vasospastic Angina
Adult Dosage: 30 mg or 60 mg taken orally once a day.
Dosage for Chronic Stable Angina
Adult Dosage: 30 mg or 60 mg taken orally once a day.
How to Take Nifedipine
Nifedipine is available as capsules and extended-release tablets.
Capsules are typically taken three or four times daily.
Extended-release tablets are taken once daily on an empty stomach.
Take at the same time daily to maintain consistency.
Swallow extended-release tablets whole; do not crush, chew, or cut.
Your doctor may start with a low dose and adjust gradually.
Nifedipine controls chest pain when taken regularly but does not relieve acute pain.
Consult your doctor for alternative treatments during chest pain episodes.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose of Nifedipine?
Missing one or two doses of Nifedipine typically does not affect your body. However, for some medications, missing doses can reduce effectiveness.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember.
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Never double the dose to make up for a missed one
What Happens if I Overdose on Nifedipine?
Accidental overdose of Nifedipine can have harmful effects on your body's functions and may require immediate medical attention.
If you have taken more than the prescribed amount, seek emergency medical assistance or contact a poison control center right away.
Get a second opinion from trusted experts and makeconfident, informed decisions.
Like all medicines, Nifedipine can cause side effects. While many are mild, a few may need immediate medical attention if they worsen or become severe.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any serious symptoms.
Avoid using Nifedipine if you have adverse reactions.
Precautions for Nifedipine
Before starting Nifedipine, inform your doctor about allergies, medical history, and ongoing treatments to avoid harmful interactions or side effects.
Avoid if allergic to Nifedipine or any of its components.
Talk to your doctor about liver or kidney problems.
Discuss all medications and supplements you're taking.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult their doctor.
Elderly individuals may require a lower dose and closer monitoring.
Can I Take Nifedipine with Alcohol or Certain Foods?
Nifedipine may interact with alcohol and certain foods. These can increase side effects or reduce how well the medicine works.
Avoid drinking alcohol while on Nifedipine
Take extended-release tablets on an empty stomach
Do not consume grapefruit juice as it can affect drug levels
Possible Interactions with Other Medications
Drug interactions can affect how Nifedipine works or increase the risk of side effects. Inform your doctor about all medicines you use.
Can interact with beta-blockers, antibiotics, antifungals, and anti-HIV drugs.
Herbal supplements like St. John's Wort may reduce effectiveness.
Monitor blood pressure regularly when using multiple medications.
How Should Nifedipine Be Stored?
Proper storage keeps the medicine effective and safe. Follow storage instructions closely and keep it out of reach of children or pets.
Store at room temperature (20°C to 25°C)
Keep away from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight
Do not store in the bathroom
Keep in original packaging and tightly closed
What Happens If Nifedipine Is Not Stored Properly?
Improper storage may reduce the drug's effectiveness and safety, leading to reduced treatment results or potential harm.
Exposure to moisture or heat may break down the medicine
Do not use expired or damaged tablets
Dispose of unused or expired medicine safely
Nifedipine vs Amlodipine
Nifedipine
Amlodipine
Nifedipine oral tablet is a prescription drug that is available as Adalat CC, Afeditab CR, and Procardia XL brand-name products. These are all tablets with extended-release.
As a brand-name drug and a generic drug, Amlodipine oral tablet is available. Name of the brand: Norvasc.
This drug is used to stop such sources of pain in the chest (angina). It can make it possible for you to exercise more and reduce the frequency of angina attacks.
Amlodipine is used for treating elevated blood pressure, with or without other drugs. Lowering high blood pressure helps to avoid strokes, kidney complications, and heart attacks
Some of the common side effects of Nifedipine are:
Headache
Nausea
Dizziness
Flushing
Heartburn
Some of the common side effects of Amlodipine are:
Usually, the capsule is taken three or four times a day. The extended-release tablet should be taken on an empty stomach once a day, 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal, respectively. Take nifedipine at about the same time every day to help you remember to take it.
Because caffeine and nifedipine can have opposing effects on the concentration of intracellular calcium, a potential association between these blood pressure and heart rate agents has been investigated.
This study indicates that high-dose nifedipine could, while amlodipine does not, increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest due to fatal cardiac arrhythmia. If these results are replicated in other trials, when evaluating the use of any drug, they will have to be taken into account.
When taken orally, Nifedipine is rapidly absorbed and peak blood levels occur in approximately 30 minutes. It needs to be taken three times a day and is relatively short-acting.
Nifedipine may be prescribed during pregnancy, especially for high blood pressure or preterm labor, but only under medical supervision.
Yes, nifedipine can cause swelling in the feet, ankles, or hands. This is a common side effect due to fluid retention from blood vessel relaxation.
Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker that relaxes blood vessels. Beta blockers reduce heart rate and workload. Both treat high blood pressure but work differently.
Yes, Nifedipine 30 mg is effective for lowering high blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels and improving blood flow.
Nifedipine is mainly used in adults. Children and elderly patients should only take it under a doctor's supervision to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Disclaimer: The information provided is accurate and up-to-date to the best of our knowledge. However, it should not be considered a substitute for medical advice or consultation. We do not guarantee its completeness or accuracy. The absence of specific warnings does not mean a medicine is safe for all users. We are not responsible for any outcomes based on this information and strongly recommend consulting a doctor for any medical concerns or questions.
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