CLASS and MECHANISM of Action
Generic Adalat-Nifedipine is a blocker for calcium-channel. Affecting the amount of calcium found in your heart and muscle cells, this medicine relaxes the blood vessels, which can reduce the amount of work done by heart. Generic Adalat-Nifedipine reduces attacks of chest pain.
Calcium is vital for the proper functioning of certain cells in the body. Generic Adalat-Nifedipine blocks the movement of calcium through cell walls preventing the calcium to enter into a cell and changing the way it works. In the case of the heart, blocking calcium reduces the contraction of the heart muscle and lowers the amount of electrical impulses generated within the heart to regulate the heartbeat.
Active Ingredients: Nifedipine
Inactive Ingredients: magnesium stearate, lactose, starch, hydroxypropylcellulose, silicon dioxide, crospovidone, microcrystalline cellulose and corn
What is Generic Adalat-Nifedipine PRESCRIBED For?
Generic Adalat-Nifedipine is used for the treatment and prevention of angina. Chest pain (angina) occurs because of insufficient oxygen delivered to the heart muscles. Insufficient oxygen may be a result of coronary artery blockage or spasm, or because of physical exertion which increases heart oxygen demand in a patient with coronary artery narrowing.
Generic Adalat-Nifedipine is also used for the treatment of high blood pressure.
How Should I Take Generic Adalat-Nifedipine?
Generic Adalat-Nifedipine should be administrated orally once per day on empty stomach, either 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Tablets should be swallowed whole with a drink of water, not bitten or divided.
Generic Adalat-Nifedipine should not be taken with grapefruit juice or grapefruit. Take your doses at regular intervals. Dosage should be administrated by the doctor to each patient according to his needs. Usually the treatment period takes 7-14 days beginning with 30 mg of medicine daily. Elderly patients over 65 years old may have a stronger reaction to this medicine and need smaller doses.
Keep Generic Adalat-Nifedipine out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open. Store at room temperature between 15 and 25 degrees C, avoid light and moisture. Throw away the medication if is outdated or no longer needed.
What are the CONTRAINDICATIONS for taking Generic Adalat-Nifedipine?
Generic Adalat-Nifedipine is cotraindicated to patients who are allergic to this medication or any other drugs. You should not take Generic Adalat-Nifedipine if you have ever had heart attack, liver or kidney disease. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking Generic Adalat-Nifedipine, call your doctor. Tell your doctor that you are taking Generic Adalat-Nifedipine if you had surgery, including dental surgery.
Generic Adalat-Nifedipine is avoided during pregnancy and in nursing mothers.
What Happens if I MISS A DOSE?
Take the missed dose as soon as possible. If it's time for the next dose, skip the missed one and take only that dose. Don't take double doses.
What happens if I OVERDOSE?
If you overdose with Generic Adalat-Nifedipine contact your local poison control center immediately.
What are the possible SIDE EFFECTS of Generic Adalat-Nifedipine?
Side effects of Generic Adalat-Nifedipine are reversible. The most common side effects of Generic Adalat-Nifedipine are: tiredness, flushing and weakness, headache.
However you should call your doctor immediately if you observe that you have one of the following side effects:
- redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
- dizziness
- difficulty breathing
- blood in the urine
- constipation
- skin rash
- swelling of the legs and ankles
- fainting spells, lightheadedness
- fast heartbeat, palpitations, irregular heartbeat, chest pain
- nausea
- reduced amount of urine passed
What other drugs can INTERACT with Generic Adalat-Nifedipine?
Other medicines that you may be taking can increase or decrease the effect of Generic Adalat-Nifedipine. These effects are called an interaction. Be sure to tell your doctor about every medicine and vitamin or herbal supplement that you are taking, so he or she can make you aware of any interactions.
The following are categories of medicines that can increase or decrease the effects of Generic Adalat-Nifedipine:
- Other medicines used to treat high blood pressure, especially beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors.
- Medicines to treat an irregular heartbeat (antiarrhythmics).
- Certain medicines for your eyes.
- Corticosteroids or any cortisone-like medicines.
- Large doses of calcium or Vitamin D supplements.
Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking Generic Adalat-Nifedipine. Taking other blood pressure medications in combination with Generic Adalat-Nifedipine may cause a sudden drop in blood pressure. Discuss with your doctor the best way to take the medication if you are taking other drugs. In patients with severe obstructive coronary artery disease, Generic Adalat-Nifedipine can increase the frequency and severity of angina or actually cause a heart attack on rare occasions.
Additional Information
Talk to your doctor about your medical history before you start taking Generic Adalat-Nifedipine. The risks of taking the medicine need to be weighed against its benefits.
While on Generic Adalat-Nifedipine, you should also avoid smoking. Smoking while you are on Generic Adalat-Nifedipine may cause a rapid heartbeat (tachycardia).