Nifedipine

Nifedipine 5mg Capsules Manufactured by Apotex Incorporated	100 - $38.61 USD 200 - $64.83 USD
Nifedipine 10mg Tablets (Sustained-Release) Manufactured by Apotex Incorporated	100 - $36.52 USD 200 - $60.64 USD
Nifedipine 10mg Capsules Manufactured by Apotex Incorporated	100 - $32.36 USD 200 - $52.32 USD
Nifedipine 20mg Tablets (Sustained-Release) Manufactured by Apotex Incorporated	100 - $54.30 USD 200 - $96.20 USD

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Nifedipine Prescription Drug Information

Nifedipine (By mouth)
Nifedipine (nye-FED-i-peen)

Treats high blood pressure and chest pain (angina). Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker.

Brand Name(s):Nifedical XL, Nifediac CC, Afeditab CR, Procardia XL, Adalat CC, Procardia
There may be other brand names for Nifedipine.

When Nifedipine Should Not Be Used:
You should not use Nifedipine if you have had an allergic reaction to nifedipine or to similar medicines such as diltiazem, verapamil, Lotrel®, or Norvasc®, or if you have a shock caused by heart attack. Do not use Nifedipine together with carbamazepine (Tegretol®), phenobarbital (Luminal®), phenytoin (Dilantin®), rifabutin (Mycobutin®), rifampin (Rifadin®, Rimactane®), or St. John's Wort.

How to Use Nifedipine:
Capsule, Liquid Filled Capsule, Long Acting Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of Nifedipine to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• It is best to take Nifedipine on an empty stomach.
• Swallow the capsule or tablet whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it.
• While taking the extended-release form of Nifedipine, part of the tablet may pass into your stools. This is normal and is nothing to worry about.

If a dose of Nifedipine is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of Nifedipine:

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid While Taking Nifedipine:
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using other medicine to lower blood pressure (such as benazepril, diltiazem, doxazosin, propranolol, timolol, verapamil, Cardura®, Cardizem®, Inderal®, Isoptin®, or Lotensin®), digoxin (Digitek®, Lanoxin®), medicine for heart rhythm problems (such as flecainide, quinidine, Cardioquin®, Quinaglute®, or Tambocor®), a diuretic or "water pill" (such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, or Lasix®), or a blood thinner (such as warfarin, Coumadin®).
• Tell your doctor if you are using a medicine to treat a fungus infection (such as fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, Diflucan®, Nizoral®, or Sporanox®), a stomach medicine (such as cimetidine, omeprazole, pantoprazole, ranitidine, Aciphex®, Prilosec®, Protonix®, Tagamet®, or Zantac®), or medicine to treat an infection (such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, quinupristin/dalfopristin, Biaxin®, Cipro®, E-mycin®, Ery-tab®, Rifadin®, or Synercid®).
• Tell your doctor if you are using medicine to treat HIV or AIDS (such as amprenavir, atazanavir, delavirdine, fosamprenavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, Agenerase®, Lexiva®, Norvir®, Rescriptor®, Reyataz®, Telzir®, or Viracept®), fluoxetine (Prozac®), nefazodone (Serzone®), valproic acid (Depakote®), tacrolimus (Prograf®), or diabetes medicine (such as acarbose, metformin, miglitol, pioglitazone, rosiglitazone, repaglinide, Actos®, Avandia®, Diabeta®, Glucophage®, or Precose®).
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using Nifedipine.
• Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using Nifedipine.

Warnings While Using Nifedipine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, stomach problems, heart failure, or coronary artery disease.
• Tell your doctor if you have recently had a heart attack, or if you have a heart condition called aortic stenosis (narrowing of a valve in your heart).
• Low blood pressure (hypotension) may occur while taking Nifedipine. Check with your doctor right away if you have the following symptoms: blurred vision; confusion; severe dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly; sweating; or unusual tiredness or weakness.
• Nifedipine may make you dizzy or lightheaded. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
• If you stop using Nifedipine, your blood pressure may go up or you may have chest pain. High blood pressure usually has no symptoms. Even if you feel well, do not stop using the medicine without asking your doctor.
• Do not stop using Nifedipine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.
• Your doctor will need to check your blood at regular visits while you are using Nifedipine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
• Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using Nifedipine. You may need to stop using Nifedipine several days before having surgery or medical tests.

Possible Side Effects While Using Nifedipine:
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Chest pain.
• Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat.
• Lightheadedness or fainting.
• Shortness of breath, cold sweat, and bluish-colored skin.
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
• Unusual tiredness or weakness.

If you notice these less serious side effects while taking Nifedipine, talk with your doctor:

• Change in how much and how often you urinate.
• Difficulty having a bowel movement (stool).
• Headache.
• Leg pain.
• Nausea.
• Runny or stuffy nose.
• Warmth or redness in your face, neck, arms, or upper chest.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by Nifedipine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088