| Information for
patients
|
| Drug Information |
Nifedipine capsules contain nifedipine, which belongs to a group of medicines called calcium antagonists.
Nifedipine capsules are used to treat high blood pressure, angina (chest pain) or a condition called Raynaud’s phenomenon which causes discolouration (often whitening) of the fingers and toes.
For high blood pressure: Nifedipine capsules work by relaxing and expanding the blood vessels. This makes the blood flow more easily and lowers blood pressure. Lower blood pressure reduces the strain on your heart.
For angina: Nifedipine capsules work by relaxing and expanding the arteries supplying the heart.This allows more blood and oxygen to reach the heart and decreases the strain on it. Your angina attacks will be less severe and less frequent if there is less strain on the heart.
Nifedipine capsules can increase the risk of serious heart problems in patients with high blood pressure or angina. Because of this, Nifedipine capsules are only used in these patients if no other treatments are appropriate.
For Raynaud’s phenomenon: Nifedipine capsules work by relaxing and expanding the blood vessels in the fingers and toes. This helps ensure a good blood supply. |
| Drug Alert |
| Alert |
•If you have had a heart attack within the last month.
•If you get a sudden angina attack. Nifedipine capsules will not help relieve symptoms of angina quickly.
•If you have unstable angina
•If you are allergic to the active ingredient (nifedipine), to any other similar medicines (known as dihydropyridines) or to any of the other ingredients. The ingredients of Nifedipine capsules are listed in section 6.
•If you are pregnant.
•If you are breastfeeding.If you need to take Nifedipine capsules, you should stop breastfeeding before you start to take this medicine.
•If you are taking rifampicin, an antibiotic.
•If you have been told that you have a narrowing of the aortic heart valve (stenosis).
•If you have ever had a collapse caused by a heart problem (cardiogenic shock), during which you became breathless, pale and had a cold sweat and dry mouth.
•If your blood pressure continues to rise despite treatment (malignant hypertension).?Tell your doctor and do not take Nifedipine capsules if any of these apply to you. |
| Before Consuming
the Medicine
|
| Avoid Drug |
•If you have had a heart attack within the last month.
•If you get a sudden angina attack. Nifedipine capsules will not help relieve symptoms of angina quickly.
•If you have unstable angina
•If you are allergic to the active ingredient (nifedipine), to any other similar medicines (known as dihydropyridines) or to any of the other ingredients.
•If you are pregnant.
•If you are breastfeeding.If you need to take Nifedipine capsules, you should stop breastfeeding before you start to take this medicine.
•If you are taking rifampicin, an antibiotic.
•If you have been told that you have a narrowing of the aortic heart valve (stenosis).
•If you have ever had a collapse caused by a heart problem (cardiogenic shock), during which you became breathless, pale and had a cold sweat and dry mouth.
•If your blood pressure continues to rise despite treatment (malignant hypertension). |
| Drug Special Care |
•If you have low blood pressure. Your blood pressure may be decreased further by this treatment.
•If you have a heart condition where your heart cannot cope with increased strain (poor cardiac reserve).
•If you are a diabetic. The treatment for your diabetes may need to be adjusted. If you have any questions about this, ask your doctor.
•If you are on kidney dialysis. If you have a very high blood pressure and a low blood volume, you might experience a sudden drop in blood pressure when you take Nifedipine capsules.
•If your liver is not working properly. Your doctor may need to do some blood tests.You may also be given a lower dose of Nifedipine capsules.Talk to your doctor before you take Nifedipine capsules if any of these apply to you.
•If your chest pain (angina) gets worse (comes on more often or more severely) over a matter of hours or days. You may be advised not to take Nifedipine capsules.
•If you have chest pains after taking your first dose of Nifedipine capsules. Your doctor may wish to change your treatment.
•If you notice increased breathlessness.
•If you notice swelling of the ankles?Tell your doctor before you take the next dose if any of these apply to you.
Also tell your doctor:
•If you are giving a urine sample. Nifedipine capsules may interfere with the results of certain urine tests.
•If you are a man who has been unable to father a child by in vitro fertilisation. Drugs like Nifedipine capsules have been shown to impair sperm function. |
| Drug Drug Interactions |
Tell your doctor about any other medicines that you are taking, or took recently. This includes any products you bought without a prescription.Some medicines may affect the way Nifedipine capsules work. Tell your doctor if you are taking:
•Other medicines to treat high blood pressure.
•Rifampicin (an antibiotic)
•Cimetidine (to treat stomach ulcers).
•Digoxin, diltiazem, quinidine or beta-blockers (to treat heart conditions).
•Quinupristin/dalfopristin (a combination antibiotic).
•Phenytoin, carbamazepine or valproic acid (to treat epilepsy).
•Cisapride (to treat reduced movements of the gullet and stomach).
•Magnesium sulphate injections during pregnancy (may cause a severe fall in blood pressure).
•Erythromycin (an antibiotic).
•Ketoconazole, itraconazole or fluconazole (anti-fungal medicines).
•Indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir or amprenavir (to treat HIV).
•Fluoxetine or nefazodone (to treat depression).
•Tacrolimus (to prevent the rejection of transplanted organs).
•Phenobarbital (usually used to treat insomnia or anxiety). |
| Drug Pregnancy Interaction |
Do not take Nifedipine capsules if you are pregnant. If you are pregnant, think you might be
pregnant or are planning a family, tell your doctor before taking Nifedipine capsules. You may be able to use Nifedipine capsules after week 20 of your pregnancy, but only after special consideration and agreement by your doctor |
| Drug Breast feeding Interaction |
Do not take Nifedipine capsules if you are breastfeeding. If you need to take Nifedipine capsules, you should stop breastfeeding before you start taking the tablets. |
| Drug Machinery Interaction |
Nifedipine capsules may make you feel dizzy, faint, extremely tired or have visual disturbances. Do not drive or operate machinery if you are affected in this way. This may be more likely when you first start treatment, if you change tablets, or if you have drunk alcohol |
| Drug More Information |
|
| How to take the
Medicine
|
| Consumption Info |
|
| Drug quanitty |
•The recommended starting dose is one 5 mg capsule every 8 hours. This allows your doctor to monitor how you are responding so that the best long-term dose can be identified.
•The dose can be increased to a maximum of 20 mg every 8 hours.
•Lower doses may be prescribed for elderly patients or for patients who have liver problems. |
| Drug Dose |
•Swallow the capsules whole with a little water.
•Continue to take the capsules for as long as your doctor has told you to.
Do not take them with grapefruit juice.You can take Nifedipine capsules either with or without food |
| Excess Drug Consumption |
Get medical help immediately. If possible, take your capsules or the box with you to show the doctor.Taking too many capsules may cause your blood pressure to become too low and your heartbeats to speed up or slow down. It may also lead to an increase in your blood sugar level or an increase in the acidity of your blood, swelling in the lungs, low blood oxygen levels and disturbances in consciousness, possibly leading to unconsciousness. |
| Forgot Drug Consumption |
Take your normal dose immediately and continue taking your capsules as prescribed, waiting 8 hours before taking your next dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose. |
| Stop Drug Consumption |
|
| Possible Side
Effects
|
| General Information |
•severe, sudden generalised allergic reaction including very rarely life-threatening shock (e.g. difficulty in breathing, drop of blood pressure, fast pulse) or swelling (including potentially life-threatening swelling of the airway)
•other allergic reactions causing swelling under the skin (possibly severe and including swelling of the larynx that may result in a life-threatening outcome)
•fast heart beat (tachycardia)
•shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
•mild to moderate allergic reactions
•itching (possibly severe), a rash or hives
Contact your doctor immediately and do not take the next dose as these may be the first signs of allergic reaction which may become severe.
Less serious side effects
Apart from the side effects listed above, these are the other side effects of Nifedipine capsules, starting with the more common ones: |
| Common Drug Side Effects |
•headache
•flushing
•general feeling of being unwell
•constipation
•swelling, particularly of the ankles and legs |
| Rare Drug Side Effects |
•pins and needles
•inflammation of the gums, tender or swollen gums, bleeding gums |
| Very Rare Drug Side Effects |
•vomiting
•stomach pain (abdominal pain)
•unspecific pain
•chills
•low blood pressure when standing up (symptoms include fainting, dizziness, light headedness, occasional palpitations, blurred vision and sometimes confusion)
•fainting
•irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
•dry mouth
•indigestion or upset stomach
•wind (flatulence)
•feeling sick (nausea)
•muscle cramps
•joint swelling
•sleep disorders
•anxiety or nervousness
•reddening of the skin
•nose bleeds
•nasal congestion
•sensation of spinning or whirling motion (vertigo)
•migraine
•dizziness
•trembling
•increase in the need to pass water (urinate)
•painful or difficult urination
•inability to achieve or maintain an erection (impotence)
•blurred vision
•temporary increase in certain liver enzymes |
| Drug Side Effects Symptoms |
•vomiting |
| How to Store the
Medicine
|
| How to Store the Medicine |
Keep this medicine out of the reach and sight of children.Store your medicine in its original container. Protect from strong light and only remove the capsule from the blister strip when you are about to take it.Do not store above 25ºC. Do not use after the expiry date which is marked on both the outer carton and on each blister strip of capsules.Do not dispose of medicines in household rubbish. Any unused Nifedipine capsules should be returned to a pharmacist (chemist) who will dispose of them properly. This helps the environment |
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