Nifecard
Generic Name: Nifedipine
Product Name: Nifecard
Indication
Nifecard is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).
Action
- Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker. It inhibits the slow inward calcium ion channels.
- It is a relaxant of vascular smooth muscle and an inhibitor of coronary artery spasm thus improving myocardial oxygen supply.
- It inhibits the influx of calcium ions causing relaxation and peripheral vasodilatation, which in turn reduces the afterload against which the heart works.
- It directly decreases myocardial oxygen consumption.
- Reduction in blood pressure is mediated by relaxation of vascular smooth muscle and resultant decrease in peripheral vascular resistance.
Dose advice
Hypertension: Initial dose is 10-20 mg twice daily. Dose can be increased to 40 mg twice daily if needed.
- Recommended dose interval is about 12 hours.
- Patients with hepatic impairment should commence therapy at 10 mg twice daily with careful supervision.
- In cases of severe overdosage: disturbances of consciousness, drop in blood pressure, tachycardic/bradycardic rhythm disturbance, hyperglycaemia, metabolic acidosis, cardiogenic shock with pulmonary oedema can occur.
Schedule
S4
Common side effects
- Peripheral oedema
- Hypotension
- Dizziness
- Flushing
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Tiredness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Heartburn
- Dyspepsia
- Headache
Uncommon side effects
- Auditory: tinnitus.
- Cardiovascular: tachycardia, chest pain, ischaemia.
- Gastrointestinal: abdominal pain, diarrhoea, gum alterations.
- Dermatological: exfoliative dermatitis, pruritus, urticaria
- Nervous system: acute psychosis, tremor, myalgia,
- Others: allergic hepatitis, hyperglycaemia, thrombocytopaenia, anaemia, leucopenia, gynaecomastia, transaminase increases, intrahepatic cholestasis, polyuria, glomerulonephritis, nephrotic syndrome, increased asthmatic symptoms after cessation of therapy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
For further information talk to your doctor.
Dates
Posted On: 22 July, 2003
Modified On: 19 March, 2016
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