Nifedipine is an antihypertensive medication developed by the U.S. Food And Drug Administration. It was initially approved on October 20, 1981, for treating hypertension and angina.

Nifedipine helps to treat hypertension (raised blood pressure) and certain types of angina (chest pain) caused by coronary artery disease. In hypertension conditions, this medicine relaxes the blood vessels and makes the blood pass smoothly. In angina, it improves the blood supply, which prevents chest pain.

Take the Nifedipine Tablet as advised by your physician. Do not crush, chew, or open the medicine. Your physician will decide the correct dosage and duration based on age, body weight, and disease condition. Only stop taking the tablet if your doctor advises you to stop.

The side effects known to occur commonly during the treatment with Nifedipine are headache, peripheral edema, dizziness, fatigue, constipation, and swelling particularly of the ankles and legs.

Nifedipine should not be used in individuals with known hypersensitivity or allergic reactions to this drug or its components. This tablet is contraindicated in patients with acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) and during the initial recovery phase. It may worsen cardiovascular function in these individuals. This drug should be cautiously used in patients with heart conditions, such as heart failure or certain conduction abnormalities. Close monitoring is required in these individuals, and dosage adjustments are necessary.

It is important to note that sudden drops in blood pressure can occur when taking Nifedipine, mainly in individuals with very high blood pressure and low blood volume. This sudden drop in blood pressure is known as orthostatic hypotension (a condition with a significant decrease in blood pressure upon standing up or changing positions). So it is necessary to monitor blood pressure during the treatment with this drug.

If you take Nifedipine regularly, try to take it simultaneously daily. It can help maintain steady levels of the medication in your body. Grapefruit juice can interact with this medicine and increase the medication's levels in your body. It's advisable to avoid consuming grapefruit or its juice while taking this drug. This medicine is prescribed specifically for your condition, and it is highly advised not to share it with others, even if they have related symptoms. Talk to your physician if you develop any symptoms that worsen, or it does not improve after taking this drug. They may need to reassess your condition and adjust your treatment if necessary. 

1. Morningside Healthcare Ltd, Electronic medicines compendium (EMC), [ Revised on June 2022] [ Accessed on 3 June 2023],  https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.12305.pdf
2. Package leaflet: Information for the user - Nifedipine. www.hpra.ie. [Revised on March 2018], Available at: https://www.hpra.ie/img/uploaded/swedocuments/PIL-2206287-04052018094255-636610237772812500.pdf (Accessed on 3 June 2023).
3. Goodman & Gilman's, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Treatment of Myocardial Ischemia and Hypertension, 12th edition, 2011, 755.
4. KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Cardiovascular drugs, 7th edition, 2013, 546.

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice; it is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you are eligible to receive this treatment.