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What is Nifedipine
NifedipineThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryNifedipine, also known as BAY a 1040, is a medication used to treat high blood pressure. It belongs to the family of drugs known as calcium channel blockers and was developed by Bayer in 1972. Nifedipine is the first generation of this type of drug and has since been followed by second and third generation versions with longer-lasting effects. The most common third-generation calcium channel blocker is amlodipine. Nifedipine was approved by the FDA in 1981.
Procardiais the brand name
Nifedipine Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Procardia
Nifedipine
1981
355
Approved as Treatment by the FDA
Nifedipine, otherwise called Procardia, is approved by the FDA for 3 uses like Vasospastic Angina and Chronic Stable Angina Pectoris .Vasospastic Angina
Helps manage Vasospastic Angina
Chronic Stable Angina Pectoris
Helps manage Chronic Stable Angina Pectoris
Failed conventional therapy
Helps manage Failed conventional therapy
Effectiveness
How Nifedipine Affects PatientsNifedipine helps reduce blood pressure and give the heart more oxygen. It needs to be taken three times a day, typically with a dose of 10-120mg daily. It is important to be aware of the risks associated with taking nifedipine, such as very low blood pressure, chest pain, and heart attack.
How Nifedipine works in the bodyNifedipine works by stopping calcium from entering cells in the blood vessels and heart. This reduces the pressure in the vessels and increases oxygen supply to the heart, relieving angina.
When to interrupt dosage
The proposed portion of Nifedipine is contingent upon the identified disorder, for example Achalasia, Ureteral Calculus and Hypertensive disease. The measure differs, in function of the technique of delivery (e.g. Tablet, film coated, extended release or Capsule) enumerated in the table below.Condition
Dosage
Administration
Anal sphincter hypertonia
30.0 mg, 60.0 mg, 90.0 mg, , 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 20.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release - Oral
Proctalgia
30.0 mg, 60.0 mg, 90.0 mg, , 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 20.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release - Oral
Ureteral Calculus
30.0 mg, 60.0 mg, 90.0 mg, , 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 20.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release - Oral
Pulmonary Hypertension
30.0 mg, 60.0 mg, 90.0 mg, , 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 20.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release - Oral
Raynaud's Phenomenon
30.0 mg, 60.0 mg, 90.0 mg, , 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 20.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release - Oral
Pulmonary Edemas
30.0 mg, 60.0 mg, 90.0 mg, , 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 20.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release - Oral
Hypertensive disease
30.0 mg, 60.0 mg, 90.0 mg, , 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 20.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release - Oral
Premature Labour
30.0 mg, 60.0 mg, 90.0 mg, , 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 20.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release - Oral
Chronic Stable Angina Pectoris
30.0 mg, 60.0 mg, 90.0 mg, , 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 20.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release - Oral
Failed conventional therapy
30.0 mg, 60.0 mg, 90.0 mg, , 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 20.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release - Oral
Vasospastic Angina
30.0 mg, 60.0 mg, 90.0 mg, , 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 20.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release - Oral
Fissure;Anal
30.0 mg, 60.0 mg, 90.0 mg, , 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 20.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release - Oral
Other and unspecified effects of high altitude
30.0 mg, 60.0 mg, 90.0 mg, , 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 20.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release - Oral
Achalasia
30.0 mg, 60.0 mg, 90.0 mg, , 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 20.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release - Oral
Hypertensive Emergency
30.0 mg, 60.0 mg, 90.0 mg, , 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 20.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release - Oral
Warnings
Nifedipine ContraindicationsCondition
Risk Level
Notes
Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions
Do Not Combine
Nifedipine may interact with Pulse Frequency
Common Nifedipine Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Amitriptyline
Major
The metabolism of Amitriptyline can be decreased when combined with Nifedipine.
Amoxapine
Major
The metabolism of Amoxapine can be decreased when combined with Nifedipine.
Anagrelide
Major
The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Nifedipine is combined with Anagrelide.
Arsenic trioxide
Major
The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Nifedipine is combined with Arsenic trioxide.
Artemether
Major
The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Nifedipine is combined with Artemether.
Nifedipine Toxicity & Overdose RiskThe lowest toxic dose of this drug in rats has been found to be 1022mg/kg and in mice is 202mg/kg. Those who overdose may experience low blood pressure, abnormal heart rate or rhythm, and fast heartbeat. Treatment may involve monitoring vital signs, raising the patient's arms and legs, and administering medications to increase blood pressure, fluids, and calcium.
Nifedipine Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Nifedipine?
At present, 101 active trials are exploring the potential of Nifedipine to alleviate Achalasia, Hypertensive Emergency and Anal Fissure.Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Fissure;Anal
0 Actively Recruiting
Anal sphincter hypertonia
0 Actively Recruiting
Vasospastic Angina
0 Actively Recruiting
Raynaud's Phenomenon
1 Actively Recruiting
Phase 4
Chronic Stable Angina Pectoris
1 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable
Failed conventional therapy
0 Actively Recruiting
Pulmonary Hypertension
26 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 3, Phase 1, Phase 4, Not Applicable, Early Phase 1
Hypertensive Emergency
1 Actively Recruiting
Phase 4
Proctalgia
0 Actively Recruiting
Pulmonary Edemas
0 Actively Recruiting
Ureteral Calculus
0 Actively Recruiting
Achalasia
7 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Not Applicable, Phase 4
Other and unspecified effects of high altitude
0 Actively Recruiting
Premature Labour
4 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 2
Hypertensive disease
19 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3
Nifedipine Reviews: What are patients saying about Nifedipine?
5Patient Review
11/17/2015 I switched to this treatment after 10 years of taking amlodipine, and I'm really happy with the results. My gums and legs had been swelling from the previous medication, but that's not an issue anymore.
5Patient Review
5/1/2016 This drug has been a lifesaver for me. I have chronic kidney disease, so there are a lot of blood pressure medications I can't take. When my doctor started me on this medication, my blood pressure immediately dropped into the "safe zone." I average 100-110/65-75 with this medicine, along with a few other medicines. I haven't had any side effects while taking this medicine. I would highly recommend this medication to those who have high blood pressure!
4.7Patient Review
8/20/2017 I've been on blood pressure medication since 2005 with no avail; my blood pressure would stay at a steady 170/100. However, when I went to see a doctor out of town, he prescribed me nifedipine and wow- after just 30mg a day, my BP lowered to 135/80! If I take 60mg a day, it gets even better to 117/71. Although there's a little bit of a headache that comes along with it, I'm willing to deal with it because finally my blood pressure is controllable. Perhaps there's also a cure for the headaches somewhere down the line.
3.7Patient Review
1/6/2014 I didn't see the results I wanted with this medication. My blood pressure only lowered from 180 to 160, which isn't enough. It also caused headaches, depression and fatigue. I tried taking an additional 30 mg, but the headaches got worse and I started feeling nauseous.
3.3Patient Review
4/9/2015 My daughter, who is an RN, just informed me that the symptoms I am experiencing are a severe allergic reaction to this medication. These include a severe headache, sore throat, and a rash on my torso. Be aware of these side effects and consult with your doctor if you experience them.
3Patient Review
6/1/2022 Almost immediately after starting this medication, I began experiencing a whole host of unpleasant side effects. These include: headaches, dizziness, tingling in my limbs, fatigue, and shortness of breath. If you're someone who is sensitive to medications, I would recommend steer clear of this one.
3Patient Review
10/12/2020 Nifedipine was lowering my blood pressure as intended, but the side effects were really bad. I felt terrible all the time, and my eyes were always irritated. I stopped taking it a few days ago and feel so much better already.
2.7Patient Review
4/15/2015 I didn't have a good experience with this medication. It gave me headaches and made my feet swell, only slightly lowered my numbers. I'm going to ask my doctor for something else as soon as possible.
2.7Patient Review
1/4/20141.7Patient Review
3/7/2018 I got a lot of unpleasant side effects from this drug, including swelling in my legs and feet, neck pain, chest pain, and vision problems. My doctor still wanted me to take it, but I refused because the side effects were too much for me to handle.
1.7Patient Review
6/25/2018 My blood pressure dropped significantly, which is great. However, I started experiencing a lot of negative side effects like heartburn, chest pain, and lethargy.
1.3Patient Review
7/24/2019 I am having a bad reaction to this medication. My bones are aching terribly and I think it might be giving me diabetes. I'll update soon after I figure out which pill is causing the problem.
1Patient Review
2/12/2019 I had a really severe reaction to this medication after only taking one dose. I was extremely hot, my blood pressure and heart rate shot up, and I had a terrible headache. When I called my doctor, they told me to double the dosage! Needless to say, I won't be taking this again.
1Patient Review
9/20/2019 Though this medication did help to lower my blood pressure, I've been experiencing some really severe headaches. My doctor says they'll eventually go away, but in the meantime, I'm just feeling really sick and uncomfortable.
1Patient Review
8/30/2017 I had a really bad headache and started vomiting.
Patient Q&A Section about nifedipine
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.When should you not take nifedipine?
"Nifedipine capsules (Procardia) should not be taken immediately after a heart attack."
Answered by AI
Why is nifedipine no longer used?
"The hypertension medication nifedipine, a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, was once widely used but is now less so due to concerns about safety and tolerability, the introduction of new classes of hypertension medications, and data showing that other classes of medications may be more effective."
Answered by AI
What is the drug nifedipine used for?
"UK
Nifedipine is medication used to treat high blood pressure. It belongs to a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers."
Answered by AI
What are the side effects of taking nifedipine?
"Bloating or swelling in the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet, difficulty breathing, dizziness, fainting, a fast or irregular heartbeat, feeling hot, headaches, muscle cramps, or shaking in the legs, arms or feet."
Answered by AI