Question 1

How can I lower the cost of my nifedipine

Accepted Answer

You can lower cost of your nifedipine using one of the 4 following drug savings programs: Rx Advantage Card for nifedipine, Canadian Prescription Savings for nifedipine, nifedipine Drug Coupons, nifedipine Patient Assistance Programs

Question 2

What dosages is nifedipine available in?

Accepted Answer

nifedipine is available as a 30 mg, 60 mg, and 90 mg extended-release oral tablet.

Question 3

What is nifedipine used for?

Accepted Answer

nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker that is used to treat:  Chest pain (angina) High blood pressure (hypertension) – extended-release tablets only

Question 4

How does nifedipine work?

Accepted Answer

nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker (CCB). It mainly works by relaxing your blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure and gets more oxygen to your heart to help with chest pain.

Question 5

How do I take nifedipine?

Accepted Answer

nifedipine is typically taken with a starting dose is 30 mg or 60 mg by mouth once daily. Based on your blood pressure or chest pain symptoms, your provider will adjust your dose after a couple of weeks. The maximum recommended dose is 120 mg daily, though people with angina rarely need higher than 90 mg daily.

Question 6

Is it safe for me to take nifedipine?

Accepted Answer

nifedipine is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you.

Question 7

nifedipine Common Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Common side effects of nifedipine:  Swelling (edema) in the legs, feet, or hands Headache Fatigue Dizziness

Question 8

nifedipine Serious Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Serious side effects are rare with nifedipine. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.  Low blood pressure or dizziness eart attack: worsening or crushing chest pain, radiating jaw pain, racing heartbeat Heart failure: abnormal weight gain, difficulty breathing especially when you lie down Stomach or intestine (gut) injury: stomach pain or bloating, difficulty passing stool or gas

Question 9

Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on nifedipine

Accepted Answer

The following medications may interact with nifedipine:  Beta-adrenergic blocking agents: Concomitant administration of nifedipine and beta-blocking agents may increase the likelihood of congestive heart failure, severe hypotension, or exacerbation of angina Long-acting Nitrates: Nifedipine may be safely co-administered with nitrates, but there have been no controlled studies to evaluate the antianginal effectiveness of this combination Digitalis: Administration of nifedipine with digoxin may increase digoxin levels Coumarin Anticoagulants: There have been rare reports of increased prothrombin time in patients taking coumarin anticoagulants to whom nifedipine was administered Cimetidine: May increase nifedipine plasma levels. If nifedipine therapy is initiated in a patient currently receiving cimetidine, cautious titration is advised. Nifedipine is metabolized by CYP3A4. Co-administration of nifedipine with phenytoin, an inducer of CYP3A4, lowers the systemic exposure to nifedipine by approximately 70%. Avoid co-administration of nifedipine with phenytoin or any known CYP3A4 inducer or consider an alternative antihypertensive therapy. CYP3A inhibitors such as fluconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin, erythromycin, nefazodone, fluoxetine, saquinavir, indinavir, and nelfinavir may result in increased exposure to nifedipine when co-administered. Careful monitoring and dose adjustment may be necessary; consider initiating nifedipine at the lowest dose available if given concomitantly with these medications

Question 10

Who makes nifedipine?

Accepted Answer

Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers

Question 11

Is nifedipine safe in pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. nifedipine should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk.

Question 12

What is the brand name for nifedipine?

Accepted Answer

PROCARDIA XLADALAT

Question 13

How can NowPatient help me to lower the cost of my nifedipine prescription?

Accepted Answer

After you create a FREE account with NowPatient, you will have access to 4 programs that can help lower the cost of your nifedipine prescription

Applicability to each program will be dependent on your insurance status.

Question 14

How do the NowPatient nifedipine savings programs work?

Accepted Answer

After you have created your FREE account with NowPatient, you can access the various programs from your account dashboard. Each program has clear instructions on how to check your eligibility. You can see how the process works by clicking on the feature link below and seeing the ‘How it works’ steps.

Drug Coupon and Patient Assistance Programs require an eligibility quiz to be completed.

Question 15

Are the NowPatient nifedipine savings programs suitable for everyone, regardless of insurance status?

Accepted Answer

No. Each program has its own eligibility and applicability requirements. The table below shows if a program is available to you, based on your insurance status.

	Rx Advantage Card* for nifedipine	Canadian Prescription Savings* for nifedipine	nifedipine Drug Coupon*	nifedipine Patient Assistance Program*
Insured (federal, state or government)	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Insured (Commercial or Private)	Available	Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Uninsured	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Insured but without pharmacy benefit or drug coverage	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company

*This is not insurance.

Question 16

Are the NowPatient drug savings programs suitable for brand and generic versions of nifedipine?

Accepted Answer

No. Each program has applicability requirements. Please see below

	Rx Advantage Card* for nifedipine	Canadian Prescription Savings* for nifedipine	nifedipine Drug Coupon*	nifedipine Patient Assistance Program*
Brand	Yes	Yes	Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company	Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Generic	Yes	Yes	No	No

*This is not insurance.

Question 17

If you have Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage and none of the nifedipine savings options are applicable or affordable for me, what can you do?

Accepted Answer

If you are insured with Medicare and the nifedipine drug savings options are not applicable to you and still remain unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

The government site is easy to use and after you have selected your state, it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.

People who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid are called ‘dual eligibles’.

If you are denied Medicaid for nifedipine, and you are still unable to afford your copay or co-insurance element (for example if you are in the coverage gap or Donut Hole) then you may be eligible for a federal support program like Low Income Subsidy. To be eligible for Low Income Subsidy, you need to be a resident in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia. You can check eligibility online at SSA Medicare D Extra Help. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Question 18

I am uninsured or underinsured and none of the nifedipine prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

If you are uninsured or underinsured (for example, nifedipine is not covered by your plan) and the drug savings options are not applicable or still unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.

If you are denied and all else fails, and if you have been prescribed nifedipine for an FDA-approved indication, you can call the pharmaceutical company to see if they have any other assistance programs.

Question 19

I am commercially or privately insured and none of the nifedipine prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

If your medication is not covered by your plan, you can appeal your insurance company’s decision. Sometimes, a formal appeal can result in the drug being covered if it is deemed medically necessary.

If you cannot afford your copay contribution, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

However, being privately insured might complicate your eligibility for Medicaid, as having private insurance may be considered in the financial eligibility assessment.

The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. If you qualify, state Medicaid may cover the full cost of your medication.

Question 20

If I have federal, state or commercial insurance and none of the nifedipine prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, are there any other support organisations that can help me with my co-insurance or copay contributions?

Accepted Answer

If you have already tried Medicaid and received a denial letter or if you are insured with Medicare and have been denied Low-Income Subsidy, then you can try one of the following organizational support programs:

1. Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN) assistance for nifedipine

If you are having trouble paying for your nifedipine medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN), may be able to assist you. To qualify for PAN assistance for nifedipine you will need to meet one or all of the following criteria:

Your income is below 400% of the federal poverty level
nifedipine is prescribed for an approved FDA indication
You live in and receive treatment in the United States or U.S. territories, even if you do not have U.S. citizenship
You have Medicare insurance coverage that covers nifedipine
If nifedipine is listed on PAN’s list of covered medications

You can check the Patient Access Network Foundation Website for more information.

2. HealthWell Foundation Copay Program for nifedipine

If you are having trouble paying for your nifedipine medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the HealthWell Foundation Copay Program may be able to assist you. To qualify for assistance for nifedipine you will need to meet the following criteria:

You live in and are being treated in the United States
You are insured and your plan covers nifedipine
If nifedipine is listed on the HealthWell Foundation’s list of covered medications

You can check the HealthWell Foundation Website for more information.

3. Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief Program for nifedipine

Patient Advocate Foundation’s Co-Pay Relief program exists to help reduce the financial distress you or your family may face when paying for your nifedipine treatment. If you qualify and can demonstrate the need, the foundation will provide you with direct payment covering co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles. To qualify for assistance for nifedipine you will need to meet the following criteria:

You must be currently insured and have coverage for nifedipine
You must have a confirmed diagnosis and treatment plan
You must reside and receive treatment in the United States
Your Income must fall at or below 300% or 400% of the Federal Poverty Guideline (FPG) with consideration for the Cost of Living Index (COLI) and number in the household
Applications can also be completed by contacting the program sponsor, toll-free at 866-512-3861.

You can check the Patient Advocate Foundation Website for more information.