Prescription Required
Description
Procardia XL is an oral tablet consisting of a calcium channel blocker called nifedipine. We carry the generic alternative of this medication in 10mg and 20mg!
Procardia is used to treat hypertension and angina. Hypertension is another word for high blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force of the blood against the walls of your blood vessels and when that force is high, it causes your heart to have to work harder which can cause damage. A big factor of high blood pressure is narrow blood vessels; when blood vessels are narrow, less blood can flow through, which makes blood flow less smoothly. If hypertension goes untreated for too long, a person risks health conditions such as heart attack, stroke, and kidney problems. Angina, a fancy name for chest pain, can be a result of high blood pressure, as hypertension can cause damage to the coronary arteries, leading to blockages and abnormal blood flow to the heart, resulting in angina.
Procardia XL is effective at treating both hypertension and angina because as a calcium channel blocker, Procardia is able to relax the blood vessels so blood can flow more easily, which results in lower blood pressure and reduced symptoms of angina.
Directions
Your doctor will tell you before prescribing you Procardia XL (nifedipine) exactly how to take this medication. Follow his or her directions, they can usually be found on the prescription label if you forget.
Procardia XL is a medication that is swallowed whole on an empty stomach and requires potential dose changes and frequent blood pressure tests. Ensure you are taking this medication regularly to get the most benefit. Do not discontinue use if you begin feeling well; hypertension symptoms don’t always show.
Store Procardia XL at room temperature. This medication should be protected from heat, moisture, and light to avoid nullifying the medication.
Cautions
Do not use Procardia XL (nifedipine)
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to nifedipine.
Procardia XL is not approved for the use of children or adolescents under the age of 18.
Dose adjustment or special precautions may be required
It is important you tell your doctor if your heart cannot pump blood properly. You may not be able to use this medication, however, your doctor will be able to determine the safety and effectiveness of this drug for your use.
You may need a dose adjustment if you also use St.John’s Wort, rifabutin, rifampin, or seizure medications. Tell your doctor if you take any of these medications as well as any others you may be taking.
Tell your doctor, before using Procardia XL, if you have ever had a heart attack, very low blood pressure, severe narrowing of the aortic valve in your heart, congestive heart failure, cirrhosis or other liver disease, kidney disease, or diabetes.
Risks
Older patients may find themselves more sensitive to the side effects of this drug.
It is not known if this medication is harmful for unborn babies. If you are pregnant, consult your doctor about the risks and benefits.
You should avoid breast feeding throughout the duration of treatment with Procardia XL.
These tablets may contain lactose. Tell your doctor if you have a galactose intolerance, or severe problems with lactose.
Side Effects
Common side effects of Procardia XL (nifedipine) may include:
swelling; flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling); headache, dizziness; nausea, heartburn; or feeling weak or tired.
The above side effects should not alarm you.
Serious side effects of Procardia XL (nifedipine) may include:
worsening chest pain; pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest; a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; swelling in your hands or lower legs; or upper stomach pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
If you have any of the above side effects, contact your doctor right away.
Contact your doctor if you notice signs of…
severe skin reaction: fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling; or
allergic reaction: sneezing and an itchy, runny or blocked nose (allergic rhinitis), itchy, red, or watering eyes (conjunctivitis), wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, cough, a raised itchy, red rash (hives) or swollen lips, tongue, eyes or face.
FAQs
What should I avoid while using Procardia?
Avoid grapefruit products during the time of treatment as they may interact with Procardia and result in unwanted side effects. You may also want to avoid standing up too quickly to avoid lightheadedness.
What does the XL stand for?
XL stands for extended release. This means the tablet coating has been designed to slowly disperse medicine into the body over a certain amount of time. Regular release tablets disperse the medications almost immediately. With XL medications, your relief period will be extended so you will not need to take as many tablets throughout the day.
Is this product safe for children?
No. This medication should not be taken by anyone who is not at least 18 years old. Consult your doctor about medications appropriate for children with high blood pressure.
What is the initial dose recommendation for an adult with angina?
The initial dose for an adult with angina would be 10mg per dose at 3 doses per day.
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