Key facts about Nifedipine
What dosages is Nifedipine available in?
Nifedipine is available as a 30 mg, 60 mg, and 90 mg extended-release oral tablet.
What is Nifedipine used for?
Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker that is used to treat:
- Chest pain (angina)
- High blood pressure (hypertension) – extended-release tablets only
How does Nifedipine work?
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.
How do I take Nifedipine?
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.
Is it safe for me to take Nifedipine?
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.
Nifedipine Common Side Effects
Common side effects of Nifedipine:
- Swelling (edema) in the legs, feet, or hands
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
Nifedipine Serious Side Effects
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
Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on Nifedipine
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
Who makes Nifedipine?
Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers
Is Nifedipine safe in pregnancy?
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.













