Felodipine MR tablets

High blood pressure affects millions of adults in the UK and, if left unmanaged, can significantly increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Felodipine tablets are a licensed prescription medicine used to treat hypertension and stable angina in adults. As a calcium channel blocker, felodipine works by relaxing the walls of blood vessels, making it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body. This page provides factual information about felodipine to help you understand your treatment options. A prescription can only be issued following a clinical consultation with a registered prescriber.

Felodipine tablets are prolonged-release tablets containing felodipine as the active ingredient. Felodipine belongs to the dihydropyridine class of calcium channel blockers. It is licensed in the UK for two indications: the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure) and the prophylaxis (prevention) of stable angina pectoris in adults.

The prolonged-release formulation means the tablet releases felodipine slowly over several hours after you take it. This provides a gradual and sustained blood pressure-lowering effect throughout the day from a single daily dose. The tablets must be swallowed whole and must not be crushed or chewed, as doing so would destroy the prolonged-release mechanism.

Felodipine is available as a generic medicine from several manufacturers. Your pharmacist or prescriber can advise on the specific product you have been prescribed. It is available in three strengths to allow dosing to be matched to each individual patient.

Felodipine is a selective calcium channel blocker with a high degree of specificity for vascular smooth muscle. Understanding how it works can help you feel more confident about your treatment.

Blocking Calcium Channels

Calcium plays an essential role in causing muscle cells to contract. In blood vessel walls, an influx of calcium into smooth muscle cells triggers the vessel to narrow (constrict). Felodipine blocks the voltage-dependent calcium channels in these smooth muscle cells, preventing calcium from entering.

Vasodilation and Blood Pressure Reduction

By reducing calcium entry, felodipine causes the smooth muscle in blood vessel walls to relax. This widens the blood vessels, a process called vasodilation. Wider blood vessels reduce the resistance against which the heart must pump, resulting in a lower blood pressure. This reduction in workload on the heart also helps relieve the chest pain associated with stable angina by improving blood flow.

Unlike some other calcium channel blockers, felodipine acts predominantly on peripheral blood vessels rather than directly on the heart muscle itself. This makes it particularly suited to managing high blood pressure and angina relief without significantly affecting heart rate in most patients.

Always take felodipine exactly as your prescriber instructs. The information below summarises the key points from the current UK SmPC. Read the Patient Information Leaflet supplied with your medicine before you start treatment.

• Take one tablet once daily in the morning.
• Swallow the tablet whole with a drink of water. Do not crush, break, or chew the tablet.
• Felodipine should be taken on an empty stomach or after a light meal that does not contain grapefruit. Do not take felodipine with grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit while taking this medicine (see interactions below).
• Try to take your tablet at the same time each morning to help maintain consistent blood pressure control throughout the day.
• If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember on the same day. If you do not remember until the following day, skip the missed dose and continue with your normal schedule. Do not take two doses on the same day.
• Do not stop taking felodipine without speaking to your prescriber first. Stopping suddenly can cause your blood pressure to rise or angina symptoms to return.
• Your prescriber will review your blood pressure response and may adjust your dose. Attend any follow-up appointments your prescriber recommends so that your treatment can be monitored properly.

Felodipine prolonged-release tablets are available in three strengths. The dose that is right for you will be determined by your prescriber based on your blood pressure readings, your response to treatment, and any other health conditions you have.

Felodipine 2.5 mg Tablets

The 2.5 mg strength is the lowest available dose. It is typically used as a starting dose in older patients, in patients who are more sensitive to the blood pressure-lowering effects of calcium channel blockers, or in patients with mild to moderate hypertension who require a low starting point. This allows the prescriber to assess tolerability before any dose increase is considered.

Felodipine 5 mg Tablets

The 5 mg strength is the standard starting dose for most adults with hypertension or stable angina. If blood pressure is not adequately controlled after four weeks of treatment at this dose, the prescriber may consider increasing to the 10 mg strength. This is the most commonly prescribed starting dose.

Felodipine 10 mg Tablets

The 10 mg strength is the maximum recommended daily dose. It is used in patients whose blood pressure or angina has not been sufficiently controlled on the 5 mg dose. Dose adjustments are a clinical decision to be made by your prescriber. Do not change your dose without medical advice.

The maximum recommended daily dose is 10 mg. The prolonged-release formulation means the full daily dose is taken once in the morning. There is no benefit to splitting the dose throughout the day and doing so is not recommended.

Like all medicines, felodipine tablets can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them. The information below is based on the current UK SmPC. Refer to the Patient Information Leaflet for the complete list of side effects.

Very Common Side Effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)

• Peripheral oedema (swelling of the ankles, feet, or lower legs). This is the most frequently reported side effect and is caused by the vasodilatory action of the medicine.

Common Side Effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

• Flushing or feeling of warmth, particularly in the face
• Headache
• Palpitations (awareness of your heartbeat) or increased heart rate
• Dizziness
• Fatigue

Uncommon Side Effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Skin reactions such as rash or itching
• Gum overgrowth (gingival hyperplasia) with prolonged use. Good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups are advisable.

Serious Side Effects: Seek Urgent Medical Attention

Contact your healthcare professional or go to your nearest accident and emergency department promptly if you experience any of the following:

• Severe or worsening chest pain, which may indicate a worsening of angina in the early stages of treatment
• Signs of a severe allergic reaction such as sudden swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, or a severe skin rash
• Severe dizziness or fainting due to low blood pressure

Report any suspected side effect to your prescriber, pharmacist, or the MHRA Yellow Card scheme at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk.

Felodipine Tablets May Be Suitable If You:

• Are an adult aged 18 or over with a confirmed diagnosis of hypertension or stable angina pectoris
• Require ongoing antihypertensive medication as part of your cardiovascular therapy
• Are already taking felodipine and need a repeat prescription through an online prescribing service

Felodipine Tablets Are Not Suitable If You:

• Are pregnant or breastfeeding. Felodipine is contraindicated in pregnancy. If you are planning a pregnancy or become pregnant while taking felodipine, contact your prescriber immediately.
• Have unstable angina or angina that occurs at rest
• Have had a heart attack within the last four weeks
• Have uncompensated heart failure
• Have clinically significant aortic stenosis
• Have a known allergy or hypersensitivity to felodipine, other dihydropyridines, or any of the excipients listed in the SmPC
• Are under 18 years of age

Tell your prescriber about all medicines you are currently taking, including over-the-counter products and herbal supplements. The following interactions are of particular clinical importance:

• Grapefruit and grapefruit juice: grapefruit significantly increases the blood levels of felodipine by inhibiting its breakdown in the gut wall. Avoid grapefruit entirely during treatment.
• CYP3A4 inhibitors such as itraconazole, ketoconazole, erythromycin, clarithromycin, and HIV protease inhibitors can substantially increase felodipine levels. Your prescriber will assess whether these combinations are appropriate.
• CYP3A4 inducers such as rifampicin, phenytoin, carbamazepine, and phenobarbitone can reduce felodipine levels and may reduce its effectiveness.
• Other antihypertensive medicines, including ACE inhibitors and diuretics, may enhance the blood pressure-lowering effect of felodipine.
• Tacrolimus: felodipine may increase tacrolimus blood levels. Monitoring may be required.

This is not a complete list of interactions. Your prescriber will carry out a full clinical assessment before issuing any prescription.

Felodipine is a Prescription Only Medicine. The clinical consultation is the first and essential step in this process. A prescription will only be issued if a registered prescriber determines, through their individual assessment of your situation, that felodipine is clinically appropriate for you.

When you complete a consultation through Pharmacy Planet, a registered prescriber will review your submitted medical information. This includes your blood pressure history, current medicines, relevant medical conditions, and any other clinical details you provide. Based on this assessment, the prescriber will decide whether felodipine tablets are appropriate, whether a different medicine or dose would better suit your needs, or whether you should be directed to see a GP or specialist in person.

Not every consultation will result in a prescription being issued. The prescriber may request further clinical information or suggest an alternative medicine. This process is designed to protect your safety and to ensure that any prescription issued is appropriate for your individual circumstances.

If you are currently under the care of your GP or a cardiologist for blood pressure management or heart health, we strongly encourage you to keep them informed of all medicines you are taking, including any prescribed through online services.

• Store below 30°C.
• Keep the tablets in their original packaging to protect from light and moisture.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not use felodipine tablets after the expiry date printed on the packaging.
• Do not dispose of medicines via household waste or wastewater. Return unused or out-of-date medicines to your pharmacist for safe disposal.
• Full storage instructions are provided in the Patient Information Leaflet included with your medicine.

The table below compares calcium channel blocker tablets. Dihydropyridines (such as amlodipine and nifedipine) act mainly on blood vessels. Non-dihydropyridines (verapamil and diltiazem) also slow the heart rate and have antiarrhythmic properties.

Important: This comparison is for general information only and does not replace medical advice. A prescriber will decide which treatment is suitable for you following an online consultation.

Pharmacy Planet is a GPhC-registered online pharmacy providing access to prescription medicines through a clinically led consultation process. Our team of registered pharmacists and prescribers is committed to patient safety and responsible medicine supply.

Every prescription issued through our service is reviewed by a qualified prescriber and dispensed by our GPhC-registered pharmacy team. We follow all relevant GPhC guidance and MHRA regulations to ensure that the information and services we provide are safe, accurate, and patient-centred.

Our service is designed to complement your existing NHS care. If you have questions about felodipine, other antihypertensive medication, or any aspect of your cardiovascular therapy, our pharmacy team is available to help. We are committed to providing clear, honest information so that you can make informed decisions about your health.

References

1. Electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC). Felodipine prolonged-release tablets — Summary of Product Characteristics. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc. Accessed May 2026.
2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Hypertension in adults: diagnosis and management. NICE guideline NG136. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng136. Accessed May 2026.
3. NHS. High blood pressure (hypertension). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-pressure-hypertension. Accessed May 2026.
4. Joint Formulary Committee. British National Formulary (BNF). Felodipine. BMJ Group and Pharmaceutical Press. https://bnf.nice.org.uk. Accessed May 2026.
5. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Yellow Card — report a side effect. https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk. Accessed May 2026.