* Generic Name: nifedipine
* Brand Name: Procardia
* What is nifedipine?
* What are the possible side effects of nifedipine?
* What is the most important information I should know about
nifedipine?
* What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
nifedipine?
* How should I take nifedipine?
* What happens if I miss a dose?
* What happens if I overdose?
* What should I avoid while taking nifedipine?
* What other drugs will affect nifedipine?
* Where can I get more information?
What is nifedipine?
Nifedipine is in a group of drugs called calcium channel
blockers. It works by relaxing the muscles of your heart and blood
vessels.
Nifedipine is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure)
and angina (chest pain).
Nifedipine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication
guide.
What are the possible side effects of nifedipine?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction:
hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or
throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
* worsening angina;
* a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
* pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
* chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the jaw or
shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
* swelling in your ankles or feet; or
* upper stomach pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Common side effects may include:
* mild dizziness;
* flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);
* weakness, headache, mood changes;
* heartburn, nausea;
* tremors, muscle cramps; or
* cough, wheezing, sore throat, stuffy nose.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about nifedipine?
You should not use nifedipine if you have severe coronary artery
disease, or if you have had a heart attack within the past 2 weeks.
Procardia Patient Information including How Should I Take
Heart Disease:The No. 1 Killer in the U.S.
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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking nifedipine?
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to nifedipine, if
you have severe coronary artery disease, or if you have had a heart
attack within the past 2 weeks.
To make sure nifedipine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
* severe COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease);
* kidney disease;
* congestive heart failure; or
* if you take other medications, especially an antibiotic or
antifungal medicine, an antidepressant, heart or blood
pressure medicine, or drugs to treat HIV/AIDS or
hepatitis C.
It is not known whether nifedipine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your
doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Nifedipine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Tell
your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
The nifedipine extended-release tablet may contain lactose. Talk to
your doctor before using this form of nifedipine if you have
galactose intolerance, or severe problems with lactose (milk
sugar).
How should I take nifedipine?
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may
occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do
not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than
recommended.
You may need to take an extended-release tablet on an empty stomach.
Follow the directions on your medicine label about taking this
medication with or without food.
Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow it
whole.
Your blood pressure will need to be checked often and you may need
other blood tests at your doctor's office.
Some tablet forms of nifedipine are made with a shell that is not
absorbed or melted in the body. Part of the tablet shell may appear in
your stool. This is a normal side effect of nifedipine and will not
make the medication less effective.
If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are
using nifedipine. You may need to stop using the medicine at least 36
hours before surgery.
You may have very low blood pressure while taking this medication.
Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, or if
you are sweating more than usual.
If you are also taking a beta-blocker (atenolol, carvedilol,
labetalol, metoprolol, nadolol, nebivolol, propranolol,
sotalol, and others) you should not stop using the beta-blocker
suddenly or you could have serious heart problems that will not be
prevented by nifedipine. Follow your doctor's instructions about
tapering your beta-blocker dose.
You should not stop using nifedipine suddenly. Stopping suddenly may
make your condition worse.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this
medication even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no
symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of
your life.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
Procardia Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
Heart Disease:The No. 1 Killer in the U.S.
Heart Disease Slideshow Pictures
RxList
Medical Illustrations of the Heart Image Collection
RxList
Take the Heart Disease Quiz!
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if
it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra
medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking nifedipine?
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with nifedipine and
lead to unwanted side effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products
with your doctor.
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may
feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
What other drugs will affect nifedipine?
Other drugs may interact with nifedipine, including prescription and
over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of
your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any
medicine you start or stop using.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about nifedipine.
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