Adalat (Nifedipine)

Common Use

This medication belongs to a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers—in simple terms, these are medicines that relax the blood vessels by preventing calcium from entering the cells of the heart and arteries. It works by decreasing the flow of calcium ions across the cell membranes of the heart muscle (myocardiocytes) and the smooth muscle cells lining the coronary and peripheral blood vessels.

Adalat is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and angina (chest pain). It widens the coronary arteries, which is particularly helpful during a coronary spasm, and also works on unchangeable vessel segments in areas of partial stenosis (narrowing). By reducing the tone of the smooth muscles in the coronary arteries, it prevents coronary spasms. This increases coronary perfusion (blood flow to the heart muscle) and improves the supply of oxygen to the myocardium (heart muscle). Essentially, it helps the heart pump blood more easily and reduces its workload.

Dosage and Direction

The usual dose for Adalat capsules is 10 to 20 mg taken three times daily. It is important to swallow capsules whole. Extended-release tablets should be taken once a day, with the usual daily dose being 30 or 60 mg. If necessary, the daily dose can be increased up to 120 mg. The tablets must be swallowed whole—do not crush, chew, or cut them in half. Adalat can be taken with or without food. For rapid relief of hypertensive crisis symptoms, a single dose of 10 mg is used; if needed, a second capsule may be taken after 30 minutes.

Precautions

Adalat is in the FDA pregnancy category C, meaning it has not been shown to cause harm to an unborn baby, but risks cannot be ruled out. If you are over 65 years of age, side effects are more likely to occur, so consult your doctor who may prescribe a lower dose. Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medication, as this fruit is known to increase the amount of the medicine in your bloodstream, potentially leading to dangerous side effects.

Contraindications Please consult a doctor before taking this medicine if you have:

An allergy to Adalat

Pregnancy or are breast-feeding

Cardiogenic shock (a condition where the heart suddenly can’t pump enough blood)

Concurrent use with Rifampicin (an antibiotic)

Acute hypotension (dangerously low blood pressure)

An ileostomy after proctocolectomy (a specific type of bowel surgery)

Age under 18 years (effectiveness and safety have not been established)

The medicine should be used with caution in cases of cardiac insufficiency, severe aortic stenosis, subaortic stenosis, acute myocardial infarction with left ventricular failure, acute bradycardia (abnormally slow heart rate), hepatic failure (liver failure), severe cerebrovascular disorders, mild to moderate arterial hypotension, stenosis (narrowing) of any gastrointestinal tract segment, advanced age, malignant arterial hypertension, and hypovolaemia (low blood volume) treated by hemodialysis.

Possible Side Effects

If any of the following severe adverse reactions occur, stop taking Adalat and contact your doctor or seek emergency medical help: allergic reactions, unusually fast or slow heartbeats, severe dizziness or fainting, psychosis (loss of contact with reality), jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), or edema (swelling) of the legs or ankles.

Less serious adverse reactions are more likely to happen. If these occur, do not stop taking Adalat but talk to your doctor: headache, fatigue or tiredness, flushing (redness and warmth of the face), insomnia, vivid or abnormal dreams, nausea, constipation, or increased urination. These effects may worsen if Adalat is taken with alcohol.

Drug Interaction

In rare cases, congestive heart failure has been associated with Adalat, usually in patients already taking a beta blocker such as propranolol (Inderal) or metoprolol (Lopressor). Hypotension (low blood pressure) during treatment with Adalat can occur, especially in patients already taking another blood pressure-lowering drug. Nifedipine (the active ingredient) decreases the elimination of digoxin (Lanoxin) by the kidneys, which increases the risk of digoxin toxicity.

Missed Dose Never take a double dose of this medication. If it is almost time for your next dose, simply skip the missed dose and continue on your regular schedule.

Overdose If an overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical attention immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include dizziness, weakness, chest pain, difficulty breathing, fainting, an unusually fast or slow heartbeat, coma, slurred speech, and confusion.

Storage Tablets should be stored at a temperature between 15-25°C (59-77°F). They should be protected from light, moisture, and humidity.

Disclaimer We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug interactions, or precautions. Information on this site cannot be used for self-treatment or self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed upon with your healthcare adviser or the doctor in charge of your case. We disclaim reliability of this information and any mistakes it may contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special, or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site, nor for the consequences of self-treatment.

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