Nifedipine is a calcium antagonist. It works by relaxing the blood vessels to reduce the workload of the heart. It also increases the blood supply and oxygen of the heart.
What is Nifedipine?
Nifedipine is used to treat the pressure in the chest and to control chest pain typical of angina.
Sometimes it is also used in cases of preterm labor and treatment of the Raynaud phenomenon.
How should Nifedipine be taken?
Typically, Nifedipine is assumed orally 3-4 times per day in the form of capsules or tablets. It also exists in extended release formulations that are to be taken only once a day, on an empty stomach (one hour before or two hours after a meal).
It is likely that your doctor will prescribe an initially low dose and then gradually increase it according to need.
Side effects associated with Nifedipine
Possible side effects of Nifedipine include the following:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Dizziness or feeling faint or lightheaded
- Feelings of warmth
- Heartburn
- Rapid heartbeat
- Muscle cramps
- Constipation
- Cough
- Difficulty performing sexually
You should immediately contact a doctor if you notice:
- Swelling of face, eyes, lips, tongue, hands, arms, feet, ankles or calves
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Fainting
- Skin rash
- Jaundice
- Increase in frequency or severity of angina
Contraindications and warnings associated with the use of Nifedipine
It is necessary to abstain from intake of grapefruit (fruit or juice) for three days before you start taking Nifedipine.
Before taking Nifedipine, it is important to inform your doctor:
- If you have any allergies to the active substance, its excipients or any other medication
- If you are taking any medicinal products, herbal remedies or supplements. Mentioning in particular: acarbose, anticoagulants, antifungals, beta-blockers, carbamazepine, cimetidine, digoxin, diltiazem, doxazosin, erythromycin, fentanyl, HIV medications, metformin, nefazodone, phenobarbital, phenytoin, quinidine, quinupristin and dalfopristin, rifampin, rifapentine, tacrolimus, valproic acid, verapamil and St. John's wort
- If you suffer (or have suffered) from obstructions of the digestive tract or other disorders that slow down the movement of food, heart disease, kidney or liver disease or if you have had a heart attack within the last two weeks, meningitis, trypanosomiasis, or disorders that alter the functioning of the immune system
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
It is important to inform surgeons and dentists about any ongoing treatment with Nifedipine.
