Nifedipine: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

What drug is Nifedipine?

What is nifedipine for?

Nifedipine or nifedipine is a drug used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and chest pain (angina).

This drug belongs to the class of drugs calcium channel blocker . The way it works is by relaxing the blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily.

Nifedipine is a drug that is also given for preterm labor and Raynaud's syndrome.

How do I use nifedipine?

Here are the rules for using sulfamethoxazole drugs that you need to pay attention to:

• This medicine should be taken on an empty stomach (one hour before food or two hours after eating).
• Try not to crush or crush the tablets. This is because crushed drugs without doctor's instructions can affect the performance of the drug.
• Do not use this medication for more than the recommended dose, for less, or for longer than the recommended dosage.
• Don't stop taking nifedipine without your doctor knowing it, even if your condition is getting better. Stopping using the drug suddenly will actually make your condition worse.
• If your condition gets worse or shows no change, consult a doctor immediately.

How to store this drug?

Pay attention to the procedures for storing this drug:

• Nifedipine or nifedipine is a drug that is best stored at room temperature, which is below 30 degrees Celsius.
• Keep away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it.
• Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
• Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist.

If you are no longer using this medicine or if the medicine has expired, discard this medicine immediately according to the procedure for disposing of the medicine.

One of them, do not mix this drug with household waste. Do not also throw this drug in drains such as toilets.

Ask the pharmacist or staff from the local waste disposal agency about the proper and safe way to dispose of drugs for environmental health.

Do not flush medication down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about how to safely dispose of your medicine.

Nifedipine dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of nifedipine for adults?

Dosage for Hypertension in Adults

Initial dosage:
Extended release tablet: 30 to 60 mg orally once a day
The dose can be increased gradually every 7 to 14 days.

Dosage for Migraine Prophylaxis in Adults

Initial dosage:
Extended release tablet: 30 mg orally once a day
Immediate release capsule: 10 mg orally 3 times a day

Dosage for Angina Pectoris Prophylaxis in Adults

Initial dosage:
Extended release tablet: 30 to 60 mg orally once a day
Immediate release capsule: 10 mg orally 3 times a day
Maintenance dosage:
Immediate release capsule: 10 to 30 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day

Dosage for Congenital Heart Failure in Adults

Initial dosage:
Procardia XL (R): 30 to 60 mg orally once a day
Adalat (R) CC: 30 mg orally once a day

Dosage for Preterm Birth in Adults

The tocolitic ability of nifedipine has been evaluated in several studies. The doses used in the study ranged from 10 to 20 mg every 6 to 8 hours as needed and were tolerated to delay birth.

What is the dose of nifedipine for children?

Dosage for Hypertension Emergency in Children

Children:
Immediate release capsule: 0.25 to 0.5 mg / kg / dose (maximum 10 mg / dose) repeated every 4 to 6 hours as needed.
Maximum dose: 1 to 2 mg / kg / day

Dosage for Hypertension in Children

Extended Release Tablets:
Children: 0.25 to 0.5 mg / kg / day in 1 to 2 divided doses; the dose must be titrated to take effect.

Maximum dose: 3 mg / kg / day to 120 mg / day (or 180 mg / day in some areas)

Dosage for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in Children

Children: 0.6 to 0.9 mg / kg / 24 hours in 3 or 4 divided doses

In what dosage is nifedipine available?

Tablet, ER: 30 mg, 60 mg, 90 mg

Capsule, oral: 10 mg

Nifedipine side effects

What side effects can nifedipine experience?

Call your doctor right away if you experience serious side effects of nifedipine, such as:

• angina that gets worse
• constipation and severe cramps, severe stomach or heartburn, coughing up blood
• feeling like he wanted to pass out
• feeling of difficulty breathing, swelling of the hands or feet
• rapid heart rate and beating fast
• numbness or tingling sensation
• jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin)
• chest pain or heaviness, pain radiating to the arms and shoulders, nausea, sweating, feeling unwell

Less serious side effects include:

• headache, dizziness
• drowsiness, feeling tired
• nausea, constipation, diarrhea, or mild stomach pain
• sleep disorders (insomnia)
• rash or mild itching
• joint pain, cramps in the legs
• feeling warm, tingling, or have redness on your skin
• urinating more frequently

Stop using this medication if there is a severe allergic (anaphylactic) reaction with the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• difficulty breathing
• swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat

Not everyone experiences the above side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above.

If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Nifedipine Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using nifedipine?

Before using nifedipine, here are the things you need to pay attention to:

• Tell your doctor about any medications you are currently using, whether prescription, non-prescription, supplements, or herbal medicines. This is because some drugs may interact with nifedipine.
• In addition, it is also important to inform your doctor about any diseases or other health conditions that you are currently suffering from. It is possible that this drug can trigger interactions with certain diseases or health conditions.
• If you have severe coronary heart disease, or have had a heart attack in the past 2 weeks, tell your doctor.
• Before giving nifedipine to seniors 65 years and over, consult your doctor first about its safety.
• If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking nifedipine.

Is this drug safe for pregnant and lactating women?

This medicine is considered a pregnancy risk category C according to the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A: It's not risky
• B: No risk in some studies
• C: It might be risky
• D: There is positive evidence of risk
• X: Contraindicated
• N: Not known

Nifedipine passes through breast milk and can harm a nursing infant. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

Nifedipine Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with nifedipine?

Nifedipine or nifedipine can interact with drugs that you are taking, which can change how the drug works or increase the risk of serious side effects.

According to MedlinePlus, the following drugs may interact with nifedipine:

• anticoagulant or blood thinning drugs (warfarin)
• antifungal drugs (fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole)
• drug beta-blockers (atenolol, labetalol, metoprolol, propanolol)
• carbamazepine
• digoxin
• diltiazem
• HIV medicine (amprenavir, ritonavir)
• diabetes medication (metformin)
• rifampin
• verapamil
• valproic acid

Can food or alcohol interact with nifedipine?

Certain drugs should not be used when eating certain foods because drug-food interactions can occur.

Smoking tobacco or consuming alcohol with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur.

Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

Avoid eating grapefruit (grapefruit) or drinking red grapefruit juice while using the medicine unless your doctor allows it.

Grapefruit and grapefruit drugs can increase the risk of interactions. Consult your doctor and pharmacist for more info.

What health conditions can interact with this drug?

The presence of other health problems can affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, specifically:

• aortic stenosis (narrowing of the valves in the heart)
• severe obstruction of the digestive tract
• congenital heart failure
• heart attack
• hypotension (low blood pressure)
• cardiogenic shock (shock caused by a heart attack)
• lactose intolerance
• kidney problems
• liver problems (including cirrhosis)

Nifedipine overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose due to nifedipine, call an ambulance (118 or 119) or go to the nearest hospital emergency department immediately.

Symptoms of an overdose can be in the form of hypoglycemia symptoms and the following:

• dizzy
• fast heart rate
• skin flushed and feels warm
• restless
• nausea
• gag
• swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or calves
• blurred vision
• passed out

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if you just remember when it's time for the next dose, just ignore the missed dose, and continue taking it as scheduled. Do not double your dose.

The reason is, double doses do not guarantee that you can recover faster. In addition, using excessive doses actually increases the risk of side effects and the risk of overdose. It is better to use the dosage as specified on the drug packaging for safe use.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical consultation, diagnosis or treatment.