GENERIC NAME: nifedipine
BRAND NAMES: Adalat, Procardia
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Nifedipine belongs to a class
of
medications called calcium channel blockers. These medications
block the
transport of calcium into the smooth muscle cells lining the
coronary
arteries and other arteries of the body. Since calcium is
important in
muscle contraction, blocking calcium transport relaxes artery
muscles and
dilates coronary arteries and other arteries of the body. By
relaxing
coronary arteries, nifedipine is useful in treating and
preventing chest
pain (angina) resulting from coronary artery spasm. Relaxing
the muscles
lining the arteries of the rest of the body lowers the blood
pressure,
which reduces the burden on the heart as it pumps blood to the
body.
Reducing heart burden lessens the heart muscle's demand for
oxygen, and
further helps to prevent angina in patients with coronary
artery disease.
For more detailed information related to coronary artery
disease, please
visit the Chest
Pain,
Cholesterol, and
Heart Attack
articles.
PRESCRIPTION: yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: yes
PREPARATIONS: 10mg and 20mg capsules. Also available in extended release forms
(Procardia XL, Adalat CC)
in 30, 60,
and 90mg capsules
STORAGE: Store at room temperature, avoid light and
moisture.
PRESCRIBED FOR: Chest pain (angina) occurs because of
insufficient oxygen delivered to the heart muscles.
Insufficient oxygen
may be a result of coronary artery blockage or spasm, or
because of
physical exertion which increases heart oxygen demand in a
patient with
coronary artery narrowing. Nifedipine is used for the treatment
and
prevention of angina resulting from coronary artery spasm as
well as from
exertion. Nifedipine is also used in the treatment of high
blood pressure.
It is also used to open the blood vessels which spasm, causing
Raynaud's
phenomenon.
DOSING: Nifedipine can be taken with or without food.
Nifedipine
is metabolized mainly by the liver and dosages may need to be
lowered in
patients with liver dysfunction.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: In patients with severe obstructive
coronary
artery disease, nifedipine can increase the frequency and
severity of
angina or actually cause a heart attack on rare occasions. This
phenomenon
usually occurs when first starting nifedipine, or at the time
of dosage
increase. Excessive lowering of blood pressure during
initiation of
nifedipine treatment can occur, especially in patients already
taking
another blood pressure lowering medication. In rare instances,
congestive
heart failure has been associated with nifedipine, usually in
patients
already on a beta blocker.
Administration of nifedipine with digoxin can increase digoxin
blood
levels. Therefore, blood levels of digoxin are usually
monitored to avoid
toxicity. Concurrent administration of cimetidine (Tagamet)
interferes
with the liver breakdown of nifedipine, and significantly
increases
nifedipine blood levels. Therefore, cautious dosing is
necessary when both
medications are administered. Generally, nifedipine is avoided
in
children.
PREGNANCY: Generally, nifedipine is avoided during
pregnancy.
NURSING MOTHERS: Generally, nifedipine is avoided in
nursing
mothers.
SIDE EFFECTS: Side effects of nifedipine are generally
mild, and
reversible. Most side effects are expected consequences of the
dilation of
the arteries. The most common side effects of nifedipine
include headache,
dizziness, flushing, and edema (swelling) of the lower
extremities. Less
common side effects include dizziness, nausea and constipation.
Last Editorial Review: 12/31/1997
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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