nifedipine

Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker medication prescribed for the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension). It plays a crucial role in reducing the risk of future heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes in individuals with high blood pressure. Additionally, nifedipine is used to prevent chest pain associated with angina.

Please notify your healthcare team promptly if you experience any of the following side effects: Allergic reactions, such as skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. Symptoms of a heart attack, including chest pain or tightness, discomfort in the shoulders, arms, or jaw, nausea, shortness of breath, cold or clammy skin, and feeling faint or lightheaded.

Nifedipine rarely leads to a decrease in heart rate, although it may slightly elevate it. Individuals with autonomic neuropathy may have a higher likelihood of experiencing a reduced heart rate when taking nifedipine. Higher doses of nifedipine (over 60 mg daily) have been associated with an increased risk of cardiac arrest.

In individuals with severe hypertension who are sensitive to or resistant to nifedipine, nisoldipine appears to be an effective alternative treatment.

Nifedipine is effective in lowering blood pressure, typically exhibits mild side effects, and may improve renal function in certain patients.

Nifedipine, a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, was once a widely used medication for hypertension. However, concerns about safety and tolerability, along with the introduction of new classes of antihypertensive medications and an increasing body of evidence demonstrating the mortality benefits of other classes, have led to changes in its usage.

Nisoldipine seems to serve as a viable alternative treatment for severely hypertensive patients who are sensitive or resistant to nifedipine.

This medication is available exclusively through a prescription from your healthcare provider.

Compared to nifedipine, amlodipine demonstrated superior tolerance, with a lower incidence of side effects. As a result, amlodipine has proven to be an effective and well-tolerated drug for the management of mild to moderate hypertension.

Do not use this medication if you are concurrently taking certain other medications, such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital (Luminal), phenytoin (Dilantin), rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane), or St. John’s Wort. Combining these medications can lead to serious complications.

Nifedipine is an effective compound for treating hypertension. Nevertheless, even in its tablet form, it has a relatively short duration of action, necessitating administration two or three times daily. Amlodipine, on the other hand, is a long-acting calcium antagonist that effectively reduces blood pressure in individuals with essential hypertension.

It is imperative to take this medication as prescribed because discontinuing it abruptly or not adhering to the prescribed regimen can result in elevated blood pressure, increasing the risk of health issues such as heart attack or stroke.

Nifedipine exhibits a rapid onset of action (buccal, 10-15 minutes; oral, 30-45 minutes) and reaches its peak effect (buccal, 30 minutes; oral, 60 minutes) relatively quickly.

In comparison to nifedipine, amlodipine was better tolerated, as evidenced by a lower incidence of side effects. Consequently, amlodipine has proven to be an effective and well-tolerated drug for the management of mild to moderate hypertension.

For adults, the initial dose typically ranges from 30 to 60 milligrams (mg) once daily, with potential dose adjustments as deemed necessary by your healthcare provider. However, the typical maximum daily dose does not exceed 90 mg.

Nifedipine is highly sensitive to light, so it is advisable to take the tablet or capsule immediately after removing it from the packaging. While you can take nifedipine at any time of the day, it is recommended to do so at approximately the same time(s) daily.

Symptoms you should report to your healthcare team promptly include a fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat, lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting, rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet, and stomach pain or bloating, along with nausea, vomiting, or unexplained weight loss.

Hepatotoxicity, or liver toxicity, is a rare occurrence associated with nifedipine use. While mild and transient elevations in serum aminotransferase levels may occur during nifedipine therapy, these abnormalities typically resolve, even with continued medication use. Clinically apparent acute liver injury with jaundice resulting from nifedipine is infrequent and has only been documented in isolated case reports.

Serious side effects following nifedipine administration are infrequent and occur in fewer than 1 in 1,000 individuals. If you observe yellowing of the whites of your eyes or yellowing of the skin (although this may be less noticeable on individuals with brown or black skin), discontinue nifedipine use and seek immediate medical attention, as these symptoms can indicate liver issues.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur, especially when transitioning from a supine or seated position to a standing one. These symptoms are more likely to manifest when initiating nifedipine treatment or when the dosage is increased. Additionally, nifedipine may cause fluid retention (edema) in some patients.

Do not use nifedipine if you have a history of allergic reactions to nifedipine or any other medication, liver disease, any heart conditions (except for high blood pressure), including recent heart attacks, heart failure, or unstable angina, or if you have diabetes.

Avoid consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking nifedipine, as grapefruit can elevate the concentration of nifedipine in your body, potentially leading to side effects such as headache, flushing, dizziness, or fainting.

First-generation calcium channel blockers like nifedipine exclusively target L-type calcium channels and primarily dilate afferent arterioles, with a potential risk of glomerular hypertension and subsequent damage to the renal microcirculation.