Nifedipine (Adalat CC, Procardia XL) – What You Should Know

Generic Name: Nifedipine
Brand Name: Adalat CC, Procardia XL

 

What is Nifedipine (Adalat CC, Procardia XL)?

The Information about Nifedipine (Adalat CC, Procardia XL) contained herein is a compilation of materials available from drugs.com and simplified for the average consumer.

Calcium channel blockers prevent calcium from entering cells of the heart and blood vessel walls, resulting in lower blood pressure. Calcium channel blockers, also called calcium antagonists, relax and widen blood vessels by affecting the muscle cells in the arterial walls.

Nifedipine also known by the brand names Adalat CC and Procardia XL is an calcium channel blocker. Some calcium channel blockers have the added benefit of slowing your heart rate, which can further reduce blood pressure, relieve chest pain (angina) and control an irregular heartbeat.

There are drug free alternatives to lowering your blood pressure that may be effective for you. Read about them here.

How to use Nifedipine (Adalat CC, Procardia XL)

• Take Nifedipine (Adalat CC, Procardia XL) as prescribed on your medication bottle. Do not take more or less or for longer than recommended by your doctor.
• Swallow Nifedipine (Adalat CC, Procardia XL) whole. Do not crush, chew, or break  extended-release tablet.
• You may need to have frequent blood pressure tests when taking Nifedipine (Adalat CC, Procardia XL)
• Some tablet forms of Nifedipine (Adalat CC, Procardia XL)  are made with a shell that is not fully absorbed and  may appear in your stool. This is normal and is not a problem.
• You may need to discontinue use up to 36 hours before surgery.
• Do not stop taking Nifedipine (Adalat CC, Procardia XL) or a beta blocker suddenly. Follow your doctor’s instructions about tapering your beta-blocker dose.
• Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
• If you miss a dose of Nifedipine (Adalat CC, Procardia XL), use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Nifedipine (Adalat CC, Procardia XL).

What to know before using Nifedipine (Adalat CC, Procardia XL):

If you are using any of the medications below, discuss with your doctor before using Nifedipine (Adalat CC, Procardia XL):

• Do not take with grapefruit or grapefruit juice.
• Tell your doctor about all medications you use, including prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

If any of the following conditions apply to you, discuss with your doctor before taking or changing your dosage of Nifedipine (Adalat CC, Procardia XL):

• pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• have severe COPD
• have kidney disease
• have or had congestive heart failure
• are lactose intolerant

• or if you take other medications, especially an antibiotic or antifungal medicine, an antidepressant, heart or blood pressure medicine, or drugs to treat HIV/AIDS or hepatitis C.

Side effects of Nifedipine (Adalat CC, Procardia XL):

Stop using Nifedipine (Adalat CC, Procardia XL) and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet cough difficult or labored breathing dizziness or lightheadedness fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse feeling of warmth headache muscle cramps rapid weight gain shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet shortness of breath tightness in the chest tingling of the hands or feet trembling or shaking of the hands or feet unusual weight gain or loss weakness wheezing Blue lips and fingernails chest congestion chest pain chills coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum decreased urine output difficult, fast, or noisy breathing, sometimes with wheezing dilated neck veins extreme fatigue fever increased sweating irregular breathing nausea pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck pale skin severe unusual tiredness or weakness sweating troubled breathing vomiting Black, tarry stools bleeding gums blood in the eyes blood in the urine or stools bloody stools bluish color blurred vision body aches or pain changes in skin color cold sweats dark urine difficulty with swallowing dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position dry mouth dryness or soreness of throat

ear congestion or pain extra heartbeats eye pain feeling unusually cold general tiredness and weakness headache, severe and throbbing hoarseness increased urge to urinate during the night irritation in the mouth itching hyperventilat large, hive-like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs light-colored stools nasal congestion neck pain nervousness no blood pressure or pulse noisy breathing pain pain in the groin or genitals pain or burning while urinating painful or difficult urination pinpoint red spots on the skin puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue redness and swelling of the gums redness in the whites of the eyes runny nose shakiness and unsteady walk sharp back pain just below ribs shivering skin rash small clicking, bubbling, or rattling sounds in the lung when listening with a stethoscope sneezing sore throat sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth stopping of heart swelling around the eyes swollen glands tenderness tender, swollen glands in the neck troubled breathing with exertion unconsciousness unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination unusual bleeding or bruising upper right abdominal or stomach pain vision changes voice changes vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds waking to urinate at night yellow eyes and skin

Less serious side effects may include:

Belching feeling of indigestion mood changes pain in the chest below the breastbone redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest Abnormal ejaculation bloody nose burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, “pins and needles”, or tingling feelings decreased interest in sexual intercourse decreased sexual performance or desire diarrhea difficulty having a bowel movement (stool) excess air or gas in stomach or intestines feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings full feeling general feeling of discomfort or illness inability to have or keep an erection increased need to urinate joint stiffness leg cramps or pain loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance nervousness passing gas passing urine more often sneezing stuffy nose trouble sleeping Acid or sour stomach ankle, knee, or great toe joint pain cracks in the skin difficulty with moving discouragement

excessive muscle tone fear or nervousness feeling sad or empty hair loss or thinning of the hair heartburn increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight irritability itching, pain, redness, swelling, tenderness, or warmth on the skin lack of appetite lack or loss of strength loss of heat from the body loss of interest or pleasure loss of strength or energy loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance lower back or side pain muscle pain or weakness muscle stiffness muscle tension or tightness pain or burning in the throat red, swollen skin redness or other discoloration of the skin scaly skin severe sunburn sleepiness or unusual drowsiness sleeplessness stomach discomfort, upset, or pain swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males tiredness trouble concentrating unable to sleep

The information about Nifedipine (Adalat CC, Procardia XL) comes from drugs.com

Nifedipine (Adalat CC, Procardia XL) Natural Alternatives:

If you are taking Nifedipine (Adalat CC, Procardia XL) or other Calcium Channel blockers, the various ingredients  in Tikva have been proven through either clinical trials or other research to lower your blood pressure naturally by dilating (widening) the arteries. Tikva has several natural ingredients that help to widen the arteries, so they do not become too narrow.

Several of the ingredients in Tikva can also increase circulation, dissolve plaque that is already in the arteries and reduce new plaque from forming. In addition, there are ingredients in Tikva to help reduce stress that often increases blood pressure without all of the side effects.

Read more about the natural ingredients in Tikva on our research and ingredients page, by clicking here.