If you are also taking a beta-blocker (atenolol, carvedilol, labetalol, metoprolol, nadolol, nebivolol, propranolol, sotalol, and others) you should not stop using the beta-blocker suddenly or you could have serious heart problems that will not be prevented by nifedipine. If the starting dose is not working well enough (your blood pressure does not come down enough, or you are still getting symptoms), you may need to increase your dose. We clearly need more data.. Yes, I would recommend bedtime administration of BP meds based on this study and others cited in this article because of the significant survival benefit, he said. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. The tablets are used to treat either high blood pressure or angina. Rarely, some patients may experience an increase in the frequency or severity of angina or acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) when starting nifedipine. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Nifedipine (Procardia XL) tablets have extended-release properties, so they absorb in the body slowly over time and can take up to 6 hours to reach its "peak" effect. Nifedipine pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings, Drug class: calcium channel blocking agents. And you don't . If your liver isnt working right, the level of nifedipine in your blood may become too high. Nifedipine works by causing some of your blood vessels to relax and widen. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Dr. Kim Williams, the head of the division of cardiology at Rush University Medical Center and past president of the American College of Cardiology, says he feels its too soon to begin recommending that all patients take their medications at bedtime. Occasionally, it is used to treat the phenomenon of Raynaud and Chilblains. You may also wake with high blood pressure. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following: Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. The list of medications is seemingly endless, so it's very . answer the question why take nifedipine on empty stomach, which will help you get the most accurate answer. 1 / 90. This could result in dangerous side effects. Dizziness, light-headedness, flushing, headache, weakness, nausea, heartburn, and muscle cramps or tremor. It is time to leave this advice behind, and rather focus on good compliance and completion of the entire treatment cure. 4- Anti-failure (treatment of heart failure). Symptoms of an overdose of this drug can include: If you think youve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or local poison control center. Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice if youre taking nifedipine. Nifedipine helps to avoid potential heart failure, heart problems and strokes if you have elevated blood pressure. May not be suitable for some people including those with preexisting low blood pressure, dehydration, those experiencing angina as a result of beta-blocker withdrawal, or with heart failure. Some tablet forms of nifedipine are made with a shell that is not absorbed or melted in the body. The usual maximum doses of nifedipine are: If you forget to take a dose and you usually take nifedipine: Never take 2 doses to make up for a forgotten one. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 5 Feb 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 22 Feb 2023), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2023) and others. A third common symptom is abdominal pain caused by a combination of motor nerve and sensory nerve dysfunction. The amount of nifedipine that can lead to an overdose varies from person to person. Revision date: August 28, 2022. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345. All rights reserved. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them: Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine. A new program developed by a research team focuses on diet, exercise, and sleep as the keys to lowering your blood pressure without using drugs. Have your blood pressure checked regularly while taking this medication. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Do not crush, chew, or break a nifedipine extended-release tablet. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy. The nifedipine extended-release tablet may contain lactose. Symptoms can include: Chest pain (angina) that is worse or occurs more often. It rises higher during the day and falls at night when we sleep. Other mouth and throat symptoms sometimes occur, such as gum problems, bad breath, sore throat, hoarseness and a feeling of a lump in the throat. Dont store this medication in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Available for Android and iOS devices. Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Tell your doctor if your condition worsens (such as increase in your routine blood pressure readings). This drug should only be used if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. There is a problem with If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional. stomach discomfort, upset, or pain. Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare professional who knows your medical history. Non-dipping blood pressure is a problem because it is a major risk factor for several conditions, including heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease. Your doctor may advise you to take sublingual nitroglycerin during the initial administration of nifedipine. This medication must be taken regularly to be . It lowers blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels so the heart does not have to pump as hard. Dont chew, crush, or divide them. Portions of this document last updated: Feb. 01, 2023. If we combine this information with your protected If you stop taking the drug suddenly or dont take it at all: If you take this drug to treat high blood pressure, your blood pressure may increase. Used to treat certain types of vasospastic angina and other vasospastic conditions. Bhusri believes that better compliance may have been the reason that the patients in the study had better blood pressure control. Taking your medication at bedtime may help prevent this issue. Many also feel that it is easier to remember morning medications. (A spasm is a temporary, sudden narrowing of these arteries.). Swallow the tablets whole. Taking too much nifedipine can make you feel: If you go to A&E, do not drive yourself. unable to sleep. There is a problem with Talk with your doctor if you have frequent episodes of low blood pressure. Generally, if you are instructed to take your antibiotics on an empty stomach, then that means avoiding food with your medication creates the optimal environment for drug absorption. Nifedipine works by inhibiting the influx of calcium ions across cardiac (heart) and smooth muscle causing relaxation of these muscles and dilation (widening). The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Your doctor will tell you what dosage is right for you. This activity outlines the indications, mechanism of action, methods of . It also has other off-label indications. Swallow the extended release tablet whole. Severe chest pain develops in some cases (and . Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use nifedipine only for the indication prescribed. Second, they help prevent spasm of the coronary arteries. What to do if you miss a dose: Take your dose as soon as you remember. Drug information provided by: IBM Micromedex. Ask your doctor about this risk to see if nifedipine is right for you. Take nifedipine even if you feel well, as you will still be getting the benefits of the medicine. swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis). This is due to the refluxed acid irritating the windpipe (trachea). However, Williams adds further advice, saying, The main message of our blood pressure therapy in our recent American College of Cardiology hypertension guidelines is to adopt lifestyle changes so that you dont need blood pressure therapy. If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Animal studies report that nifedipine causes birth defects in rats and rabbits. Nifedipine is very sensitive to light, so make sure you take your tablet or capsule as soon as you take it out of the packet. Always carry the original prescription-labeled box with you. Nifedipine should not be used to rapidly drop blood pressure as this may be fatal and it should not be taken with grapefruit juice or grapefruit products. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet, fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse, shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet, trembling or shaking of the hands or feet, coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum, difficult, fast, or noisy breathing, sometimes with wheezing, pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck, dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position, increased urge to urinate during the night, large, hive-like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs, puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue, small clicking, bubbling, or rattling sounds in the lung when listening with a stethoscope, sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth, unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination, vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest, burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings, difficulty having a bowel movement (stool), excess air or gas in stomach or intestines, feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings, loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance, increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight, itching, pain, redness, swelling, tenderness, or warmth on the skin, redness or other discoloration of the skin, swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males. 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