High Blood Pressure medication Nifedipine, what are the side effect?
Hi, i am on Nifedipine 20 mg twice a day on morning and evening for my high blood pressure. Nifedipine is a belong a to group of high blood pressure medication calcium blocker, on a long term usage will it has any serious side effect on the body and will it effect my bone density on long run? thanks
Nifedipine is generic for Adalat or Procardia or Procardia XL
What should I avoid while taking nifedipine?
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.
What are the possible side effects of nifedipine?
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking nifedipine and contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:
an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
unusually fast or slow heartbeats;
severe dizziness or fainting;
psychosis;
yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice); or
swelling of the legs or ankles.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take nifedipine and talk to your doctor if you experience
headache, fatigue, or tiredness;
flushing;
insomnia;
vivid or abnormal dreams;
nausea or constipation; or
increased urination.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect nifedipine?
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.
Now, here comes the numerous controversies. A lot of articles stated that pts on CCB (calcium channel blockers) such as Nifepidine(Procardia) , Verpamil,(Calan) Diltiazem (Cardizem) shouldn't be taking calcium supplements. Calcium supplements ( may contain lead) may also decrease the efficacy of calcium channel . However, other studies suggested that Inadequate calcium intake may contribute to accelerated bone loss and density. .There is an ongoing debate whether these calcium channel blockers increase the risks of heart attacks.; as these meds block the transport of calcium across the muscle cell membrane.
Calcium. Calcium regulates the tone of the smooth muscles lining blood vessels, and population studies have found that people who have sufficient dietary calcium have lower blood pressure than those who do not. Hypertension itself increases calcium loss from the body. The effects of extra calcium on blood pressure, however, are mixed with some even showing higher pressure.
Effects of Anti-Hypertensive Drugs on Exercise. Certain anti-hypertensive medications, including diuretics and beta-blockers, can interfere with exercise capacity. ACE inhibitors or calcium-channel blockers are the best drugs for active individuals. However, patients who must take drugs that interfere somewhat with exercise capability should still adhere to an exercise program and consult a physician on how best to balance medications with exercise.
Dash Diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) is rcommended for Hypertensive pts. It's low salt to avoid more potassium loss. It's rich in fruits and vegetables. and nutrients and calcium obtained from foods naturally. They also contain other nutirents such as potassium and magnesium which help in the absorption of Ca.
The site below also mentioned no bone loss:
Times Leader | 01/23/2007 | Blood pressure medicine will not cause bone ...
Blood pressure medicine will not cause bone loss Ask Dr. H ... Norvasc is in the class of blood pressure medications called "calcium channel blockers. ...www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/living/16523308
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