Nidipine SR - Tablet Nifedipine - 20mg 10 Tablet(s) / Strip Square Pharmaceuticals PLC. Introduction: Nidipine SR is a medicine used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and to prevent angina (heart-related chest pain). It belongs to a class of medicines known as calcium channel blockers. It lowers blood pressure and reduces the workload of the heart. This helps prevent heart attacks and strokes. Nidipine SR may be prescribed alone or along with other medicines. The dose and how often you need it will be decided by your doctor so that you get the right amount to treat your condition. Your doctor may adjust the dose depending on how you respond to this medicine and... Uses of Nidipine SR: Hypertension (high blood pressure)Angina (heart-related chest pain) Side effects of Nidipine SR: Ankle swellingDizzinessEdema (swelling)FatigueFlushing (sense of warmth in the face, ears, neck and trunk)HeadachePalpitations How to use Nidipine SR: Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Nidipine SR may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time. How Nidipine SR works: Nidipine SR is a calcium channel blocker. In high blood pressure, it normalizes the blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels to reduce the pressure on them, thereby improving the blood flow in the body. The enhanced blood flow in the body further relaxes the heart muscles by reducing the workload on the heart. It also improves the oxygen flow in the body, thereby, preventing any heart-related chest pain. What if you forget to take Nidipine SR?: If you miss a dose of Nidipine SR, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose. Indication: Hypertension, Angina pectoris, Raynaud's syndrome, Stroke prevention Administration: Immediate-release: May be taken with or without food. Avoid grapefruit juice. Retard, GITS & OROS: May be taken with or without food. Avoid grapefruit juice. Swallow whole, do not chew/crush. Adult Dose: Oral Hypertension Adult: Immediate-release: Initially, 5 mg tid. Maintenance: 10-20 mg tid. Extended-release: Initially, 10-40 mg bid, or 20-90 mg once daily. Angina pectoris Adult: Immediate-release: Initially, 10 mg tid. Maintenance: 10-20 mg tid. Extended-release: 10-40 mg bid or 30-60 mg once daily. Raynaud's syndrome Adult: Immediate-release: 5-20 mg tid. Elderly: Dose reduction may be necessary. Hepatic impairment: Dose reduction may be necessary. Contraindication: Acute MI, cardiogenic shock, acute unstable angina, treatment of anginal attack in chronic stable angina. Mode of Action: Nifedipine prevents Ca ion from entering the slow channels of cardiac and smooth muscles during depolarisation, producing peripheral and coronary vasodilatation. It reduces afterload, peripheral resistance and BP; increases coronary blood flow and causes reflex tachycardia. It has little or no effect on cardiac conduction and rarely has negative inotropic activity. Precaution: Patients w/ hypotension, poor cardiac reserve, heart failure, severe aortic stenosis, DM, underlying severe GI narrowing (extended-release tab). Avoid abrupt withdrawal as it may casue rebound angina. Hepatic impairment. Elderly. Pregnancy and lactation. Patient Counselling Discontinue if ischaemic pain follows after admin. Monitoring Parameters Monitor BP, heart rate. Lactation: Drug is distributed into breast milk; manufacturer suggests discontinuing drug or refraining from nursing (however, American Academy of Pediatrics states that drug is safe for nursing) Side Effect: >10% Peripheral edema (10-30%),Dizziness (23-27%),Flushing (23-27%),Headache (10-23%),Heartburn (11%),Nausea (11%) 1-10% Muscle cramps (8%),Mood change (7%),Nervousness (7%),Cough (6%),Dyspnea (6%),Palpitations (6%),Wheezing (6%),Hypotension, transient (5%),Urticaria (2%),Pruritus (2%),Constipation (<2%),Chest pain (<2%) Frequency Not Defined Gingival hyperplasia,Agranulocytosis,Erectile dysfunction Interaction: Enhanced antihypertensive effects w/ other antihypertensives, aldesleukin, and antipsychotics. Concomitant use w/ fentanyl during surgery caused severe hypotension. May modify insulin and glucose responses. Attenuation of tachycardic effect when used w/ benazerpril. Prothrombin time may be increased w/ coumarin anticoagulants. Increased serum levels w/ CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g. azole antifungals, cimetidine, erythromycin, HIV-protease inhibitors, nefazodone, fluoxetine, quinupristin/dalfopristin). Potentially Fatal: Decreased bioavailability and efficacy w/ strong CYP3A4 inducers (e.g. rifampicin, phenytoin, carbamazepine).