What is Generic Adalat (Nifedipine)?
Generic Adalat (Nifedipine) is a calcium-channel blocker. It affects the amount of calcium found in your heart and muscle cells. This results in relaxation of blood vessels, which can reduce the amount of work the heart has to do. Nifedipine reduces attacks of chest pain (angina). It is not a cure.
What Is Generic Adalat (Nifedipine) Used For?
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. Nifedipine is used for the treatment and prevention of angina resulting from coronary artery spasm as well as from exertion.
Nifedipine is also used in the treatment of high blood pressure. It is also used to open the blood vessels which spasm, causing Raynaud's phenomenon.
Generic Adalat (Nifedipine) Facts
Active Ingredients: Nifedipine
Other Ingredients: hydroxypropylcellulose, lactose, corn starch, crospovidone, microcrystalline cellulose, silicon dioxide, and magnesium stearate.
Generic Adalat (Nifedipine) extended release tablets are supplied as 30 mg round film coated tablets. It has pink color and it is marked as 30 on one side and ADALAT CC on the other side.
Class and Mechanism: Nifedipine works by blocking the movement of calcium through cell walls. Calcium is vital for the proper functioning of certain cells in the body. A blocker prevents calcium entering a cell and so changes 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. Calcium channel blockers also relax the tone of the muscle in blood vessels so that they dilate (widen).
Generic Adalat (Nifedipine) Storage
Store at room temperature between 15 and 25 degrees C (59 and 77degrees F), avoid light and moisture. Throw away the medication if is outdated or no longer needed.
How to take Generic Adalat (Nifedipine)?
It is recommended that Generic Adalat (Nifedipine) be administered orally once daily on an empty stomach, either 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Generic Adalat (Nifedipine) an extended release dosage form and tablets should be swallowed whole, not bitten or divided. Swallow the capsules with a drink of water. Avoid taking Generic Adalat (Nifedipine) with grapefruit juice or grapefruit. Take your doses at regular intervals.
Dosage should be adjusted according to each patient’s needs.In general, titration should proceed over a 7-14 day period starting with 30 mg once daily. Upward titration should be based on therapeutic efficacy and safety. The usual maintenance dose is 30 mg to 60 mg once daily. Titration to doses above 90 mg daily is not recommended. Elderly patients over 65 years old may have a stronger reaction to this medicine and need smaller doses.
If OVERDOSE is suspected call the local emergency service immediately.
What to do if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
Who should not take Generic Adalat (Nifedipine)?
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to nifedipine or any other drugs.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially cimetidine (Tagamet); fentanyl (Duragesic); heart and blood pressure medications like beta-blockers, digoxin (Lanoxin), warfarin (Coumadin), and quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex); phenytoin (Dilantin); ranitidine (Zantac); and vitamins. - tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart, 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 nifedipine, call your doctor.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking nifedipine.
FOR WOMEN: - Generic Adalat (Nifedipine) is avoided during pregnancy and in nursing mothers.
What side effects may occur?
Side effects of Nifedipine are generally mild, and reversible. Most side effects are expected consequences of the dilation of the arteries. The most common side effects of Nifedipine include headache, flushing and weakness or tiredness. If you observed that you have one of the below side effects contact your doctor immediately:
- blood in the urine
- fast heartbeat, palpitations, irregular heartbeat, chest pain
- difficulty breathing
- fainting spells, lightheadedness
- reduced amount of urine passed
- redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
- skin rash
- swelling of the legs and ankles
- dizziness
- nausea
- constipation
Generic Adalat (Nifedipine) Drug Interactions
In patients with severe obstructive coronary artery disease, nifedipine can increase the frequency and severity of angina or actually cause a heart attack on rare occasions. This phenomenon usually occurs when first starting nifedipine, or at the time of dosage increase. Excessive lowering of blood pressure during initiation of nifedipine treatment can occur, especially in patients already taking another blood pressure lowering medication. In rare instances, congestive heart failure has been associated with nifedipine, usually in patients already on a beta blocker.
Additional Information
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
