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Nifedipine
What is it? Overview Usage Side Effects and Warnings
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Nifedipine Overview

Written by FoundHealth.

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U.S. Brand Names

Adalat® CC; Afeditab® CR; Nifediac CC®; Nifedical XL®; Procardia XL®; Procardia®

Canadian Brand Names

Adalat® XL®; Apo-Nifed PA®; Apo-Nifed®; Gen-Nifedipine XL; Mylan-Nifedipine Extended Release; Nifedipine PA; Nu-Nifed; Nu-Nifedipine-PA; PMS-Nifedipine

Mexican Brand Names

Adalat; Cordilat; Nifar-GB; Nifedigel; Nifezzard; Noviken LP

Pharmacologic Category

Calcium Channel Blocker; Calcium Channel Blocker, Dihydropyridine

Reasons not to take this medicine

• If you have an allergy to nifedipine or any other part of this medicine.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

• Long-acting products: If you have a narrowing of the gastrointestinal tract or an intestinal blockage.

How does it work?

• Nifedipine relaxes blood vessels, lowering blood pressure.

• It works to decrease uterine contractions.

How is it best taken?

• Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.

• Adalat® CC, Afeditab™ CR, Nifediac™ CC: Take this medicine on an empty stomach. Take 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.

• Long-acting products: Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.

• Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare provider.

What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.

• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.

• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

• Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.

What should I monitor?

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• Check blood pressure and heart rate regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.

• Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store at room temperature.

• Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

General statements

• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Most medicines can be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.

• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

Created: 2006-10-13 14:34:32.0

Modified: 2010-03-25 11:48:18.0

Lexi-PALS TM © (1977)-(2007) Lexi-Comp, Inc. All rights reserved.

 
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