Nifedipine is in a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers. Nifedipine relaxes (widens) your blood vessels (veins and arteries), which makes it easier for the heart to pump and reduces its workload.

Nifedipine is used to lower hypertension (high blood pressure) and to treat angina (chest pain).

Nifedipine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Take nifedipine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Adalat CC should be taken on an empty stomach.

Do not crush, chew, or break any form of nifedipine. Swallow the pills whole.

Do not consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment with nifedipine. Nifedipine can interact with grapefruit and grapefruit juice, and the interaction may have dangerous effects. You should discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor.

Occasionally, the Procardia XL tablet shell may be seen in the stool. This is not harmful. The medicine has been absorbed by the body and the tablet shell is designed to be eliminated in the stool.

Do not stop taking nifedipine without first talking to your doctor, even if you begin to feel better. If you stop taking the medication, your condition could become worse.

Store nifedipine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Before taking nifedipine, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:

• another heart medication to treat the same or another condition;

• cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB);

• erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Eryc, Ery-Tab, others);

• itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral);

• carbamazepine (Tegretol);

• phenytoin (Dilantin); or

• rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane) or rifabutin (Mycobutin).

You may not be able to take nifedipine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with nifedipine or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.

Do not consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment with nifedipine. Nifedipine can interact with grapefruit and grapefruit juice, and the interaction may have dangerous effects. You should discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor.

Follow any recommendations your doctor makes about diet or exercise.

Use caution when you stand or sit up from a lying position, especially if you wake up during the night. You may become dizzy when changing positions.

Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may further lower blood pressure and increase drowsiness or dizziness while taking nifedipine.

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a nifedipine overdose include dizziness, weakness, chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, an unusually fast or slow heartbeat, coma, slurred speech, and confusion.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

Do not stop taking nifedipine without first talking to your doctor, even if you begin to feel better. If you stop taking the medication, your condition could become worse.

Do not crush, chew, or break any form of nifedipine. Swallow the pills whole.

Do not consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment with nifedipine. Nifedipine can interact with grapefruit and grapefruit juice, and the interaction may have dangerous effects. You should discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor.

Before taking nifedipine, tell your doctor if you have

• kidney disease;

• liver disease;

• another disease of the heart or blood vessels such as sick sinus syndrome, aortic stenosis, heart failure, low blood pressure, or coronary artery disease.

You may not be able to take nifedipine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Nifedipine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether nifedipine will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take nifedipine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

Nifedipine passes into breast milk. Do not take nifedipine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

If you are over 65 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from nifedipine. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of this medication.

Your pharmacist has additional information about nifedipine written for health professionals that you may read.

Nifedipine is available with a prescription generically and under the brand names Adalat, Adalat CC, Procardia, and Procardia XL. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Adalat 10 mg—orange, soft-gelatin capsules

• Adalat 20 m —orange/light brown, soft-gelatin capsules

• Adalat CC 30 mg—round, pink, film-coated tablets

• Adalat CC 60 mg—round, salmon-colored, film-coated tablets

• Adalat CC 90 mg—round, dark-red, film-coated tablets

• Procardia 10 mg—orange, soft-gelatin capsules

• Procardia 20 mg—orange/light-brown, soft-gelatin capsules

• Procardia XL 30 mg—round, rose-pink, biconvex, film-coated tablets

• Procardia XL 60 mg—round, rose-pink, biconvex, film-coated tablets

• Procardia XL 90 mg—round, rose-pink, biconvex, film-coated tablets