Nifedipine Capsules

NIFEDIPINE (nye FED i peen) prevents and treats chest pain (angina). It works by relaxing blood vessels, which decreases the amount of work the heart has to do. It belongs to a group of medications called calcium channel blockers.

Take this medication by mouth. Take it as directed on the prescription label at the same time every day. You can take it with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food. Keep taking it unless your care team tells you to stop.

Do not take this medication with grapefruit juice.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Heart attack—pain or tightness in the chest, shoulders, arms, or jaw, nausea, shortness of breath, cold or clammy skin, feeling faint or lightheaded
• Heart failure—shortness of breath, swelling of the ankles, feet, or hands, sudden weight gain, unusual weakness or fatigue
• Low blood pressure—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurry vision
• Worsening chest pain (angina)—pain, pressure, or tightness in the chest, neck, back, or arms

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Facial flushing, redness
• Headache
• Heart palpitations—rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
• Nausea
• Stomach pain

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 25 degrees C (59 and 77 degrees F). Protect from light and moisture. Keep the container tightly closed.Throw away any unused medication after the expiration date.

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Heart attack
• Heart disease
• Heart failure
• High blood pressure
• Low blood pressure
• An unusual or allergic reaction to nifedipine, other medications, foods, dyes or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

• Certain medications for seizures like carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin
• Lumacaftor; ivacaftor
• Rifabutin
• Rifampin
• Rifapentine
• St. John's Wort

This medication may also interact with the following:

• Antiviral medications for HIV or AIDS
• Certain medications for blood pressure
• Certain medications for diabetes
• Certain medications for erectile dysfunction
• Certain medications for fungal infections like ketoconazole, fluconazole, and itraconazole
• Certain medications for irregular heart beat like flecainide and quinidine
• Certain medications that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin
• Clarithromycin
• Digoxin
• Dolasetron
• Erythromycin
• Fluoxetine
• Grapefruit juice
• Local or general anesthetics
• Nefazodone
• Orlistat
• Quinupristin; dalfopristin
• Sirolimus
• Stomach acid blockers like cimetidine, ranitidine, omeprazole, or pantoprazole
• Tacrolimus
• Valproic acid

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.

Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Check your blood pressure as directed. Ask your care team what your blood pressure should be. Also, find out when you should contact them.

Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds, or pain while you are using this medication without asking your care team for advice. Some medications may increase your blood pressure.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medication affects you. Do not stand up or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.