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What is Nifedipine?
Nifedipine is a prescription medication used for the treatment of high blood pressure and helps in preventing heart attacks and strokes in the future. The blood pressure medication is often used to treat chest pain or angina and may be indicated for Raynaud's phenomenon and chilblains.
How Does Nifedipine Work?
Nifedipine belongs to the class of drugs known as calcium channel blockers which work by blocking calcium from going into the muscles found in the heart and blood vessels. Since calcium is used by muscles to contract, blocking calcium can relax these muscles. Once the muscles in the blood vessels are relaxed, it gets easier for the heart to pump blood, thus lowering your blood pressure.
Nifedipine is also used to relieve chest pain caused by Angina. This chest pain occurs when the muscles of the heart do not get enough blood due to hardening or narrowing of the arteries to the heart. To relieve angina, Nifedipine works to widen these arteries, allowing more oxygen to reach the heart.
As expansion and relaxation of blood vessels can increase blood flow to the toes and fingers, this medicine may also be indicated for the treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon and chilblains.
What Are the Benefits of Taking Nifedipine?
Having high blood pressure can damage the brain, heart, blood vessels, kidneys and other vital organs. Extensive damage to these organs can become the cause of fatal medical conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure. Medications like Nifedipine can reduce this damage by maintaining blood pressure levels in individuals with hypertension.
Nifedipine also helps patients of angina with chest pain so they can go about their lives without discomfort.
How Do I Use Nifedipine?
Nifedipine tablets are an oral medication that need to be taken exactly as directed by your doctor. This medicine can be taken at any time of the day, but it is recommended to take it at the same time daily.
Nifedipine is known to be highly sensitive to light and may not work properly if taken out of the pack for a long time. Ensure to take the tablet as soon as it is out of the blister pack.
The tablet needs to be swallowed whole with a glass of water. Nifedipine tablets should not be chewed or crushed unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Both short acting and long acting tablets can be taken with or without food.
Nifedipine is not a cure to blood pressure and should be taken even if you feel well. Most people with a high blood pressure may not notice any symptoms. Do not stop the intake of Nifedipine without your doctor’s supervision.
Nifedipine Tablets Dosage
Nifedipine’s dosage depends on your medical prescription. Your doctor will decide your dosage according to your condition, severity of condition, age and several other factors.
Nifedipine has two types of tablets, namely” short acting or immediate-release tablets and long acting or slow-release tablets. The typical starting dose of Nifedipine short acting tablets is 5mg 3 times a day after every 8 hours and for the long acting tablets it is 10mg 2 times a day every 12 hours or 20-30 mg one time a day every 24 hours.
However, your dosage may vary and entirely depends upon your unique condition and your doctor’s prescription.
Nifedipine Precautions and Side Effects
Side Effects
Nifedipine has certain side effects on some individuals. these side effects may not occur at all or may be nonserious in most cases. However, if they persist or worsen, you should contact your doctor right away.
Some common side effects of Nifedipine include:
- Dizziness
- Flushing
- Weakness
- Swelling ankles/feet
- Constipation
- Headache
Nifedipine may also have some more serious but uncommon side effects including:
- Irregular, pounding or fast heartbeat
- fainting
If you notice any of the above side effects or more serious ones such as vision changes or a serious allergic reaction to the medicine, get immediate medical attention.
People with severe heart disease may notice worsening chest pain or angina while on this medication. Call your nearest healthcare provider immediately if you feel any symptoms of a heart attack including chest/jaw/left arm pain, shortness of breath, and unusual sweating.
Since everyone reacts to medicines differently, this may not be a complete list of all possible side effects. If you notice other effects not mentioned above, contact your pharmacist or physician for more information.
Warnings
Before taking Nifedipine you should:
- Tell your doctor about all past allergies especially if you are allergic to Nifedipine or other inactive ingredients in the medicine.
- Inform your doctor about all prescription and non-prescription drugs you have been taking including over the counter medication like vitamins and supplements. Also inform your doctor of any herbal products that you may be using.
- Discuss your extensive medical history with your doctor especially if you have or have had a blockage or narrowing of the digestive system, or medical conditions such as heart, kidney or liver disease.
- Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning for a baby or currently breast-feeding an infant.
- Discuss alternatives with your doctor if you are above the age of 65.
Precautions
While taking Nifedipine you should follow some precautions such as:
- Do not drive, operate machinery or engage in activities that require full alertness while on this medicine. Nifedipine may cause dizziness which is worsened by substances such as alcohol and marijuana. Discuss your alcohol intake with your doctor and consult them about using marijuana while on Nifedipine.
- Inform your doctor or dentist about your Nifedipine intake before a surgical procedure.
- Take extra care if you are older since you may be more prone to Nifedipine’s side effects such as, constipation, dizziness, and swelling in ankles or feet.
- Tell your doctor if you become pregnant on Nifedipine. Discuss the risks and benefits of taking Nifedipine during pregnancy with your doctor.
- Avoid consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice while on Nifedipine. Grapefruit may worsen side effects by increasing the amount of Nifedipine in your body.
High-Risk Groups
High-risk groups for Nifedipine include:
- People allergic to Nifedipine
- Women who are currently pregnant, planning to be pregnant in the future or are breastfeeding an infant.
- People with liver disease
- Individuals who suffer from heart ailments such as heart attack, heart failure or unstable angina
- Diabetic people
Nifedipine Indications
Nifedipine is indicated in the treatment of:
- Hypertension
- Angina
- Raynaud's phenomenon and chilblains.
How Do I Buy Nifedipine Online?
Nifedipine tablets can be bought online in the UK from [this website] after filling out an online prescription form. This high blood pressure medication should be taken exactly as directed by your physician in the prescription. Any misuse of the drug can have potentially harmful effects on your health. For more information, refer to the patient leaflet provided or contact your doctor.
