American Pharmacy

Adalat (Generic)

Adalat (Nifedipine) is one of the best researched blood-lowering drugs. Clinical studies along the lines of, INSIGHT and ACTION have clearly shown that nifedipine can help optimize blood pressure control and prevent long-term cardiovascular damage. Adalat also marketed as: Adapine, Adapress, Nifedipine, Procardia.

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Uses for This Medication

This drug contains the active ingredient this medication, which is a version of medication called a calcium channel blocker. This form of drug acts on the heart and blood vessels. This drug works by slowing the movement of calcium through the muscle cells that are found in the walls of blood vessels. It does this by blocking 'calcium channels' in these muscle cells. Calcium is indispensable by muscle cells in order for them to contract, so by depriving them of calcium, this medicine causes the muscle cells to relax.

How to take

Nifedipine could be taken with or without food. This medicine is metabolized mainly by the liver and dosages possibly will need to be lowered in patients with liver dysfunction. The dosage should be adjusted according to each patient's needs. It is recommended that this drug be administered orally once every day on an empty stomach. This medication is an extended release dosage form and tablets ought to be swallowed whole, not bitten or divided. In general, titration should proceed over a 7-14 day period starting with 30 mg once on a daily basis. Upward titration must be based on therapeutic efficacy and safety. The usual maintenance dose is 30 mg to 60 mg once on a daily basis. Titration to doses above 90 mg on a daily basis is not recommended.

Side effects

This drug will probably cause dizziness and lightheadedness especially during the first few days. Avoid activities requiring alertness. When you sit or lie down for a while, get up slowly to minimize dizziness and allow your body to adjust. You can also experience bloating, heartburn, nausea, blurred vision, muscle cramps, headache, flushing, sweating and sleep disturbances. These effects could disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Notify your medical doctor if they become bothersome. Notify your health care provider if you develop: swelling of hands or feet, irregular heartbeat. In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to this drug, seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your health care provider or pharmacist.

Precaution

Hypotension: Because This medication decreases peripheral vascular resistance, careful monitoring of blood pressure during the initial administration and titration of This drug is suggested. Close observation is especially suggested for patients already taking meds that are known to lower blood pressure.

Peripheral Edema: Immediate-Release Capsules: Mild to moderate peripheral edema, typically related to arterial vasodilatation and not due to left ventricular dysfunction, occurs in about 1 in 10 patients treated with this drug. This edema occurs primarily in the lower extremities and typically responds to diuretic therapy. With patients whose angina is complicated by congestive heart failure, care must be taken to differentiate this peripheral edema from the effects of increasing left ventricular dysfunction. Extended-Release Tablets: Mild to moderate peripheral edema occurs in a dose dependent manner with an incidence ranging from approximately 10% to about 30% at the highest dose studied (180 mg). It is a localized phenomenon thought to be associated with vasodilatation of dependent arterioles and small blood vessels and not due to left ventricular dysfunction or generalized fluid retention. With patients whose angina or hypertension is complicated by congestive heart failure, care ought to be taken to differentiate this peripheral edema from the effects of increasing left ventricular dysfunction.

Additional Information for Extended-Release Tablets: As with any other non-deformable material, caution ought to be used when administering this drug in patients with preexisting severe gastrointestinal narrowing (pathologic or iatrogenic). There have been rare reports of obstructive symptoms in patients with known strictures in association with the ingestion of this drug.

Drug interactions

This medication is mainly eliminated by metabolism and is a substrate of CYP3A. Inhibitors and inducers of CYP3A4 can impact the exposure to this medication and consequently its desirable and undesirable effects. In vitro and in vivo data indicate that this medicine can inhibit the metabolism of medicines that are substrates of CYP3A, thereby increasing the exposure to other medicines. This medicine is a vasodilator, and co-administration of other meds affecting blood pressure might result in pharmacodynamic interactions.

Missed dose

If you miss a dose, take as soon as remembered; do not take if it is almost time for the next dose, instead, skip the missed dose and resume your ordinary dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store at room temperature, avoid light and moisture.