NICARDIA RETARD 20mg Tablet

WHAT IS NIFEDIPINE?

Nifedipine is known as a calcium channel blocker drug which dilates (relaxes and widens) blood vessels (veins and arteries) making it easier for the heart to pump blood and lower its workload. This medicine is prescribed for the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure) and angina (chest pain). It may also be used for other purposes not listed here.

Nifedipine is sold under various trade names, some of which are Procardia, Myogard (made by UPM), Nicardia (made by Unique), Nifelat (made by Cipla), and Adalat Chrono (made by Bayer Healthcare).

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT NIFEDIPINE:

Do not take Nifedipine (Procardia, Myogard, Nicardia, Nifelat, and Adalat Chrono) if you are allergic to it. Before taking this medication, let your doctor know if you are allergic to it or to other drugs, if you have ever had heart disease (congestive heart failure), liver disease, a blockage in your digestive tract (stomach or intestines), a history of stomach surgery, coronary artery disease, or hypothyroidism.

Before having a surgery or any medical procedure, inform your doctor or other healthcare personnel that you are taking Nifedipine. This medication may make you dizzy. Do not drive or do any such activities which require a great deal of alertness until you are sure that you can do them safely. Limit or avoid alcohol consumption.

Nifedipine is classfied as an FDA pregnancy category C drug. It is not known whether this medication can harm an unborn baby if taken during pregnancy. This medication can pass into breast milk and harm a nursing baby. You must consult your doctor before using this medication if you are pregnant or breast feeding.

BEFORE TAKING NIFEDIPINE:

Prior to taking Nifedipine, you must tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions: kidney disease, liver disease (especially cirrhosis), a blockage in the digestive tract (stomach or intestines), inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, chronic constipation, a colostomy or a history of stomach surgery such as gastric bypass, colon cancer, hypothyroidism, coronary artery disease, or congestive heart failure. This is for the doctor to judge whether it is safe for you to take this medication.
Extended release tablets of Nifedipine may contain lactose. Let your doctor know if you are lactose intolerant.

HOW SHOULD I TAKE NIFEDIPINE?

Take Nifedipine strictly according to your doctor?s directions or according to the instructions on the medication label. Do not alter the dosage unless your doctor advises you to do so. Also, do not take this medication after the prescribed period is over. All medications come with a patient leaflet. Refer the instructions in them for detailed information on that particular medication. Nifedipine can be taken with or without food. Always store this medicine in a cool and dry place.

Do not break, crush, or chew an extended release tablet of Nifedipine. Instead, swallow it whole. Breaking, crushing, or chewing an extended release tablet may cause too much of the drug to be release in a short time. Let your doctor know if you have excessive sweating, vomiting or diarrhea. These conditions can cause severe low blood pressure.

Some tablet forms of Nifedipine are made with a shell that is not absorbed or melted in the body and gets excreted in the stool. This is normal and not a reason to worry.

WHAT IF I MISS A DOSE?

You should take all medication on time as prescribed. Missing even a single dose can be harful in certain cases. If you miss a dose of fo Nifedipine, then take it at the instant you remember it. However, you must skip the missed dose if the time to take the next scheduled dose is near.

WHAT IF I OVERDOSE?

In case of an overdose of Nifedipine, get emergency medical attention or call the Poison helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Overdose may lead to severe dizziness, pounding heartbeats, nausea, vomiting, or feeling like you might pass out.

THINGS AND ACTIVITIES TO AVOID WHILE TAKING NIFEDIPINE:

Alcoholic beverages must be avoided while taking this medicine as alcohol can further lower blood pressure. Also avoid activities which require a high level of mental awareness and reflexes (such as driving). Do not consume grapefruit or grapefruit based products as they can interact with Nifedipine and cause potentially dangerous effects.

SIDE EFFECTS OF NICARDIA RETARD 20MG:

SERIOUS

Swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, hands, arms, feet, ankles, or lower legs
Difficulty breathing or swallowing
Fainting
Rash
Yellowing of the skin or eyes
Increase in frequency or severity of chest pain (angina)

COMMON

Headache
Nausea
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Flushing
Heartburn
Fast heartbeat
Muscle cramps
Constipation
Cough
Decreased sexual ability

RARE

Pins and needles
Inflammation of the gums, tender or swollen gums, bleeding gums

NIFEDIPINE DOSING INFORMATION:

Nifedipine dosage may depend on a range of factors like age, sex, drug allergies, or seriousness of the condition among several other factors. Your dosage will be determined by your doctor after examining you properly. Remember to follow your doctor?s advice properly for best results.

INTERACTION WITH OTHER DRUGS:

Many other drugs can interact with Nifedipine. Let your doctor know in advance if you use any other drugs or related products (OTC vitamin pills or other medicines, or herbal products), especially cemitidine, conivaptan, digoxin, fentanyl, imatinib, isoniazid, laxatives, levothyroxine, nefazodone, NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, or others), cold or allergy medications, tizanidine, St.John?s Wort, HIV/AIDS medicines, antibiotics (clartithromycin, erythromycin, or others), or seizure medicines. Remember that the information provided here is very limited. There may be other interacting drugs. Do not start or stop any medications without proper medical advice.

PRODUCT INTRODUCTION

most common side effects

USES OF NICARDIA TABLET SR

• Treatment of Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Prevention of Angina (heart-related chest pain)
• Prevention of Heart attack
• Prevention of Stroke

BENEFITS OF NICARDIA TABLET SR

In Treatment of Hypertension (high blood pressure)

Nicardia Retard 20 Tablet SR works by relaxing the blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily around your body. This lowers your blood pressure and reduces your risk of having a stroke, a heart attack, or kidney problems in the future. You do not usually feel any direct benefit from taking this medicine, but it works in the long term to keep you well. Take regularly, as prescribed for this medicine to be most effective, even if you feel better.

In Prevention of Angina (heart-related chest pain)

Nicardia Retard 20 Tablet SR works by relaxing blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily around your body. This means that more oxygen gets to your heart and reduces the risk of getting chest pain (angina). This medicine should not be used to treat chest pain which is already happening. It is used to prevent or reduce the frequency of angina attacks. This medicine needs to be taken regularly as prescribed for it to work effectively. So, it is important to keep taking it even if you feel well and have no symptoms.

In Prevention of Heart attack

Nicardia Retard 20 Tablet SR helps lower your blood pressure and make it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body. This reduces the chances of you having a heart attack. It can also reduce the risk of dying if it is given immediately after a heart attack. This medicine needs to be taken regularly to be effective, so keep taking it even if you feel well. Do not stop without talking to your doctor.

In Prevention of Stroke

Nicardia Retard 20 Tablet SR reduces the risk of future strokes. It helps lower your blood pressure and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body. This reduces the chances of you having a stroke. Take it as advised by the doctor to get the maximum benefit.

SIDE EFFECTS OF NICARDIA TABLET SR

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Nicardia

• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Flushing (sense of warmth in the face, ears, neck and trunk)
• Headache
• Peripheral edema

HOW TO USE NICARDIA TABLET SR

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Nicardia Retard 20 Tablet SR may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

HOW NICARDIA TABLET SR WORKS

Nicardia Retard 20 Tablet SR is a calcium channel blocker. In high blood pressure, it normalizes the blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels to reduce the pressure on them, thereby improving the blood flow in the body. The enhanced blood flow in the body further relaxes the heart muscles by reducing the workload on the heart. It also improves the oxygen flow in the body, thereby, preventing any heart-related chest pain.

SAFETY ADVICE

Alcohol

CAUTION

Caution is advised when consuming alcohol with Nicardia Retard 20 Tablet SR. Please consult your doctor.

Pregnancy

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Nicardia Retard 20 Tablet SR may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.

Breast feeding

SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Nicardia Retard 20 Tablet SR is probably safe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug does not represent any significant risk to the baby.

Driving

CAUTION

Nicardia Retard 20 Tablet SR may cause dizziness or weakness due to low blood pressure. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.
Nicardia Retard 20 Tablet SR may make you feel dizzy, faint, extremely tired or have visual disturbances. This may affect your ability to drive.

Kidney

SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Nicardia Retard 20 Tablet SR is safe to use in patients with kidney disease. No dose adjustment of Nicardia Retard 20 Tablet SR is recommended.
However, talk to your doctor if you have any underlying kidney disease.

Liver

CAUTION

Nicardia Retard 20 Tablet SR should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Nicardia Retard 20 Tablet SR may be needed. Please consult your doctor.

WHAT IF YOU FORGET TO TAKE NICARDIA TABLET SR?

If you miss a dose of Nicardia Retard 20 Tablet SR, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.