Nifedipine

Anal sphincter hypertonia, Proctalgia, Altitude Sickness + 12 more

Treatment

3 FDA approvals

20 Active Studies for Nifedipine

What is Nifedipine

Nifedipine

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Nifedipine, 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.

Procardia

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

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 Angina, Stable and Failed conventional therapy .

Angina, Stable

Helps manage Chronic Stable Angina Pectoris

Failed conventional therapy

Helps manage Failed conventional therapy

Vasospastic Angina

Helps manage Vasospastic Angina

Effectiveness

How Nifedipine Affects Patients

Nifedipine 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 body

Nifedipine 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

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

Tablet, film coated, extended release, Oral, , Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release, Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, Tablet

Ureteral Calculi

30.0 mg, 60.0 mg, 90.0 mg, , 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 20.0 mg/mL

Tablet, film coated, extended release, Oral, , Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release, Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, Tablet

Angina, Stable

30.0 mg, 60.0 mg, 90.0 mg, , 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 20.0 mg/mL

Tablet, film coated, extended release, Oral, , Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release, Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, Tablet

Fissure in Ano

30.0 mg, 60.0 mg, 90.0 mg, , 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 20.0 mg/mL

Tablet, film coated, extended release, Oral, , Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release, Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, Tablet

Vasospastic Angina

30.0 mg, 60.0 mg, 90.0 mg, , 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 20.0 mg/mL

Tablet, film coated, extended release, Oral, , Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release, Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, Tablet

Proctalgia

30.0 mg, 60.0 mg, 90.0 mg, , 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 20.0 mg/mL

Tablet, film coated, extended release, Oral, , Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release, Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, Tablet

Pulmonary Edema

30.0 mg, 60.0 mg, 90.0 mg, , 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 20.0 mg/mL

Tablet, film coated, extended release, Oral, , Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release, Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, Tablet

Altitude Sickness

30.0 mg, 60.0 mg, 90.0 mg, , 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 20.0 mg/mL

Tablet, film coated, extended release, Oral, , Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release, Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, Tablet

Raynaud Disease

30.0 mg, 60.0 mg, 90.0 mg, , 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 20.0 mg/mL

Tablet, film coated, extended release, Oral, , Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release, Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, Tablet

Hypertensive disease

30.0 mg, 60.0 mg, 90.0 mg, , 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 20.0 mg/mL

Tablet, film coated, extended release, Oral, , Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release, Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, Tablet

Hypertensive Emergency

30.0 mg, 60.0 mg, 90.0 mg, , 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 20.0 mg/mL

Tablet, film coated, extended release, Oral, , Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release, Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, Tablet

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

Tablet, film coated, extended release, Oral, , Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release, Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, Tablet

Obstetric Labor, Premature

30.0 mg, 60.0 mg, 90.0 mg, , 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 20.0 mg/mL

Tablet, film coated, extended release, Oral, , Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release, Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, Tablet

Esophageal Achalasia

30.0 mg, 60.0 mg, 90.0 mg, , 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 20.0 mg/mL

Tablet, film coated, extended release, Oral, , Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release, Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, Tablet

Pulmonary Hypertension

30.0 mg, 60.0 mg, 90.0 mg, , 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 20.0 mg/mL

Tablet, film coated, extended release, Oral, , Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release, Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet, delayed release; Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, Tablet

Warnings

Nifedipine Contraindications

Condition

Risk Level

Notes

Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions

Do Not Combine

Nifedipine may interact with Pulse Frequency

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Nifedipine.

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 Risk

The 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.

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

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

Obstetric Labor, Premature

2 Actively Recruiting

Not Applicable

Pulmonary Edema

0 Actively Recruiting

Hypertensive disease

27 Actively Recruiting

Not Applicable, Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3

Angina, Stable

0 Actively Recruiting

Esophageal Achalasia

0 Actively Recruiting

Altitude Sickness

0 Actively Recruiting

Raynaud Disease

1 Actively Recruiting

Phase 4

Pulmonary Hypertension

33 Actively Recruiting

Phase 2, Phase 3, Not Applicable, Phase 1, Early Phase 1

Proctalgia

0 Actively Recruiting

Hypertensive Emergency

1 Actively Recruiting

Phase 4

Fissure in Ano

0 Actively Recruiting

Vasospastic Angina

1 Actively Recruiting

Phase 2, Phase 3

Anal sphincter hypertonia

0 Actively Recruiting

Ureteral Calculi

0 Actively Recruiting

Failed conventional therapy

0 Actively Recruiting

Nifedipine Reviews: What are patients saying about Nifedipine?

5

Patient Review

11/17/2015

Nifedipine for High Blood Pressure

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.

5

Patient Review

5/1/2016

Nifedipine for High Blood Pressure

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!

4.7

Patient Review

8/20/2017

Nifedipine for High Blood Pressure

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.

3.7

Patient Review

1/6/2014

Nifedipine for High Blood Pressure

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.

3.3

Patient Review

4/9/2015

Nifedipine for High Blood Pressure

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.

3

Patient Review

6/1/2022

Nifedipine for High Blood Pressure

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.

3

Patient Review

10/12/2020

Nifedipine for High Blood Pressure

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.

2.7

Patient Review

4/15/2015

Nifedipine for High Blood Pressure

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.

2.7

Patient Review

1/4/2014

Nifedipine for High Blood Pressure

1.7

Patient Review

3/7/2018

Nifedipine for High Blood Pressure

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.

1.7

Patient Review

6/25/2018

Nifedipine for High Blood Pressure

My blood pressure dropped significantly, which is great. However, I started experiencing a lot of negative side effects like heartburn, chest pain, and lethargy.

1.3

Patient Review

7/24/2019

Nifedipine for High Blood Pressure

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.

1

Patient Review

2/12/2019

Nifedipine for High Blood Pressure

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.

1

Patient Review

9/20/2019

Nifedipine for High Blood Pressure

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.

1

Patient Review

8/30/2017

Nifedipine for High Blood Pressure

I had a really bad headache and started vomiting.
image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

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

Clinical Trials for Nifedipine

Image of Miles Square Health Center Chicago in Chicago, United States.

Food is Medicine for High Blood Pressure and Obesity

Any Age
All Sexes
Chicago, IL

The goal of this clinical trial is to treat both hypertension and obesity in adults using a food is medicine framework. Participants will be randomized 1:1 to FIM+DASH or usual-care control. The 24-week trial includes a 12-week FIM+DASH intervention followed by a 12-week maintenance period and leverages existing partnerships with community-based organizations for home food delivery and culinary skill-skill building. The main questions it aims to answer are: (1) What is the effect of FIM+DASH vs. usual care control on blood pressure? (2) What is the effect of FIM+DASH vs. usual care control on DASH diet adherence (diet quality), body weight, and waist circumference? (3) How to identify factors associated with the sustainability and scalability of FIM+DASH in real-world settings?

Phase 2
Waitlist Available

Miles Square Health Center Chicago (+3 Sites)

Image of U Health in Miami, United States.

Cuffless PPG Monitor for High Blood Pressure

18+
All Sexes
Miami, FL

This study aims to validate the accuracy and reliability of blood pressure (BP) estimates obtained over 24 hours using a PPG-based chest-patch device compared to the gold standard ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) method using an upper arm cuff-based oscillometric BP device, in both hypertensive and normotensive individuals referred by their provider to undergo a 24-hours ABPM for clinical indication. The Awake/Asleep test, which is the primary test recommended for automated wearable cuffless BP devices that are cuff-calibrated (based on the 2023 European Society of Hypertension (ESH) recommendations for the validation of cuffless blood pressure measuring devices), will be conducted in this study. The secondary aim of the study is to assess the feasibility and convenience of the PPG-based device.

Waitlist Available
Has No Placebo

U Health (+1 Sites)

Ziad Zoghby, M.D., M.B.A.

Biobeat Technologies Ltd.

Image of UPMC Presybeterian in Pittsburgh, United States.

Telaglenastat for Pulmonary Hypertension

18 - 75
All Sexes
Pittsburgh, PA

The research study is being conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a drug called Telaglenastat in adults diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension (PH). PH is a progressive condition that affects the arteries in the lungs, specifically the pulmonary arteries, which carry blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs. Telaglenastat is not currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of PH. However, the study investigators believe that Telaglenastat may help lower blood pressure in the lungs and improve both heart and lung function. It is important to note that the drug will not be available to participants once the study concludes.

Phase 1 & 2
Waitlist Available

UPMC Presybeterian

Michael Risbano, MD

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Image of University of Alabama at Birmingham in Birmingham, United States.

Dietary Interventions for Hypertension

18+
All Sexes
Birmingham, AL

Natriuretic peptides (NPs) are hormones produced by the heart and play an important role in maintaining cardiovascular health and have favorable metabolic benefits. Low NP levels are associated with an increased likelihood of the development of cardiometabolic diseases like diabetes and hypertension. NP levels are known to be highly heritable, with up to half of the differences in NP levels being explained by genetics. The investigators aim to describe the genetic architecture of NPs by examining the genetic variants associated with NPs, and generate and validate a polygenic score (PGS) for NPs. The investigators will use this NP PGS to examine the association of genetically determined NP levels with cardiometabolic and cardiovascular outcomes. The investigators will conduct a genotype-guided physiological clinical trial that aims to assess the genetic factors affecting NP levels and their impact on blood pressure and NP response to saline infusion, high-salt diet, and low-salt diet. These findings will help support personal medicine approaches to lower the increasing burden of hypertension in the United States.

Waitlist Available
Has No Placebo

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Pankaj Arora, MD, FAHA

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PF-07868489 for Pulmonary Hypertension

18+
All Sexes
San Francisco, CA

The purpose of this study is to learn about the long-term safety, tolerability and effects of the study medicine (PF-07868489) for the possible treatment of PAH. PAH is a condition in which there is high blood pressure in the arteries that carry blood from the heart to the lungs. This high pressure makes it harder for the heart to pump blood through those lungs, potentially damaging the right side of the heart. This is an open-label study. Which means that both the healthcare providers and the study participants are aware of the medicine being given. This study is also an extension study with study medicine (PF-07868489). An extension study allows patients from an earlier clinical study (also called as qualifying study) to continue participating to assess long-term benefits and safety of the medicine.

Phase 2
Recruiting

UCSF Health St. Mary's Hospital (+6 Sites)

Pfizer CT.gov Call Center

Pfizer

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We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Nifedipine, we think they might fit your search criteria.
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