Nifedipine Adalat, Adalat PA, Adalat XL, Apo-Nifed, Nu-Nifed
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Nifedipine Adalat, Adalat PA, Adalat XL, Apo-Nifed, Nu-Nifed Information for patients and families Why am I taking this drug? Nifedipine helps to: Control high blood pressure (hypertension) Reduce how often you have chest pains (angina) How does nifedipine work? Nifedipine belongs to a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers. It relaxes the muscles in your blood vessels so that they will open wider. This lowers your blood pressure and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood. Nifedipine also opens the blood vessels in your heart (coronary arteries) wider so that more blood and oxygen can get to the heart muscle. This is helpful for angina, which happens when the heart muscle is not getting enough blood and oxygen for the amount of work it is doing. How should I take this medicine? Never chew or crush nifedipine tablets. It is best to take nifedipine on an empty stomach. Avoid taking it with grapefruit juice. Take your pills at the same time every day. Do not stop taking this drug unless you check with your doctor first. You may need to gradually take less and less instead of stopping all at once. What should I do if I miss a dose? If you are late taking a dose and it is almost time for the next one, skip the late dose then follow your regular schedule. Never take more than 1 dose at a time. If you do not know what to do, ask your pharmacist, doctor or nurse practitioner. What should I expect from this medicine? Nifedipine usually starts to work within 30 to 60 minutes after you take it. Nifedipine will not cure your high blood pressure, but will help to control it. To keep your blood pressure under control you must keep taking it as directed. What side effects can this medicine cause? Call your doctor right away if you have any of these side effects: An allergic reaction—Itching, hives or skin rash, swelling of the face or hands, swelling or tingling in the mouth, tightness in chest, trouble breathing Fast, irregular or pounding heartbeat Swelling in hands, ankles or feet Light-headedness, dizziness or fainting Chest pain (this may be related to your disease and not a side effect) Common side effects are: Headache—Goes away with time Flushing—Usually goes away with time Feeling tired or weak—Tell your doctor if it is severe Constipation Tell your doctor if you have any of these rare side effects: Swollen or tender gums Nausea or loss of appetite—Tell your doctor if it does not go away Leg cramps—Tell your doctor if they are severe Precautions Do not take nifedipine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to it. Avoid driving or operating machinery if you feel dizzy or light-headed. Limit how much alcohol you drink while taking nifedipine. It may make you dizzy and light-headed or make these side effects worse. If you are taking any other medicines, tell your doctor and pharmacist. They can watch for any drug interactions. Tell your doctor if you have recently had a heart attack, or if you have aortic stenosis (narrowing of a valve in your heart). Before you take nifedipine, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have heart failure, stomach problems, liver disease, kidney disease or coronary artery disease. Can I take other medicines while I am taking nifedipine? Before you start taking nifedipine, tell your doctor about all prescription, non- prescription and herbal drugs you are taking. You should not take nifedipine if you are taking: Digoxin. Nifedipine can increase the concentration of digoxin in your blood and lead to nausea, vomiting or an irregular heartbeat. Quinidine. Nifedipine can make quinidine less effective. Cimetidine. It can increase the concentration of nifedipine in your body and give you headaches, swelling in your arms and legs, low blood pressure or fast heart beat. Tips for taking your medicine Take medicines at around the same time every day. This will make it easier to remember to take them. Any time you see your doctor or go to the hospital, bring a list of your medicines with you, or the bottles they came in. Remember to bring everything, including prescription, non-prescription and herbal drugs. To avoid confusion, do not mix different medicines in the same container. Carefully read and follow the instructions on your prescriptions. If you are not sure what you should do, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Never give your medicine to other people. Even if their symptoms seem to be the same as yours they may not have the same condition. Take good care of your teeth and gums. Brush and floss every day and visit your dentist regularly. This will reduce the chance that nifedipine will cause your gums to swell. Keep this medicine out of the reach of children. St. Michael’s cares about your health. For reliable health information, visit our Patient and Family Learning Centre, or find us online at www.stmichaelshospital.com/learn This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Ask your healthcare provider about this information if you have questions. 66777 Rev. Aug12 2019 V2 .