Pronunciation: nye-FED-i-peen
Generic Name: Nifedipine
Brand Name: Examples include Adalat CC and Procardia XL
Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets are used for:
Treating high blood pressure. Some brands of Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets may also be used to manage certain kinds of angina (chest pain). It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets are a calcium channel blocking agent. It works by dilating (widening) blood vessels.
Do NOT use Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets
- you have very low blood pressure or shock due to heart problems
- you have had a heart attack within the past 2 weeks
- you are taking a barbiturate (eg, phenobarbital), carbamazepine, a hydantoin (eg, phenytoin), a rifamycin (eg, rifampin, rifabutin), or St. John's wort
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets:
Some medical conditions may interact with Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have a history of angina, heart blood vessel problems, or other heart problems (eg, aortic stenosis; congestive heart failure; heart attack; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat); high or low blood pressure; liver problems (eg, cirrhosis); kidney problems; swelling of the arms or legs; esophageal, stomach, or bowel narrowing (stricture); or fluid in your lungs
- if you have recently had or will be having surgery, or have recently stopped taking a beta-blocker (eg, propranolol)
- if you take other medicines to lower your blood pressure
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Alpha-blockers (eg, doxazosin), beta-blockers (eg, propranolol), diuretics (eg, hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide), methyldopa, or phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors (eg, sildenafil, tadalafil) because the risk of low blood pressure may be increased
- Acarbose because high blood sugar may occur
- Azole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole, fluconazole), calcium channel blockers (eg, diltiazem, verapamil), cimetidine, fluoxetine, HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir, saquinavir), imatinib, macrolide antibiotics (eg, erythromycin, clarithromycin), nefazodone, streptogramins (eg, quinupristin/dalfopristin), or valproic acid because they may increase the risk of Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets's side effects
- Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), carbamazepine, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), rifamycins (eg, rifampin, rifabutin), or St. John's wort because they may decrease Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets's effectiveness
- Cyclosporine, digoxin, ketanserin, lithium, tacrolimus, theophylline, or vinca alkaloids (eg, vincristine) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets
- Quinidine, theophylline, or vinca alkaloids (eg, vincristine) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets:
Use Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to take Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets with food.
- Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you use Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets.
- Swallow Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.
- Do not suddenly stop taking Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets without checking with your doctor. If you need to stop Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets, your doctor may gradually lower your dose.
- If you miss a dose of Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets.
Important safety information:
- Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets may cause dizziness or light-headedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
- Rarely, there have been reports of esophageal, stomach, or bowel blockage in patients taking Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets. The risk may be greater if you have constipation, diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), obesity, stomach or bowel problems (eg, blockage, ileus, narrowing), an underactive thyroid, or a history of stomach or bowel surgery (eg, colostomy, gastric bypass) or colon cancer. The risk may also be greater if you take Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets with certain other medicines (eg, anticholinergics, H2 histamine blockers, laxatives, levothyroxine, opiates, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs]). Cases of ulcers caused by Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets getting stuck in the stomach or bowels have also been reported in patients using Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets. Tell your doctor if you experience bloating, severe constipation, stomach pain or cramps, difficult or painful swallowing, fever, loss of appetite, or vomiting. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
- Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even though you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.
- If you have high blood pressure, do not use nonprescription products that contain stimulants. These products may include diet pills or cold medicines. Contact your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
- Proper dental care is important while you are taking Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets. Brush and floss your teeth and visit the dentist regularly.
- You may notice undissolved parts of Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets in your stool with some brands of Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets. This is normal and not a cause for concern.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- If your doctor has instructed you to check your blood pressure regularly, be sure to do so.
- Use Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets should be used with extreme caution CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets while you are pregnant. Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets are found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets.
Possible side effects of Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Constipation; cough; dizziness; flushing; giddiness; headache; heartburn; heat sensation; light-headedness; muscle cramps; nausea; nervousness; tiredness; weakness.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); fainting; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; mental or mood changes; new or worsening chest pain (eg, longer, more often, more severe); red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe or persistent dizziness or light-headedness; shortness of breath; slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat; sudden, unusual weight gain; swelling of the arms or legs; symptoms of heart attack (eg, chest, jaw, or left arm pain; numbness of an arm or leg; sudden, severe headache or vomiting); tender, bleeding, or swollen gums; tremors; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness; vision problems; wheezing; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Procardia XL side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include fainting; loss of consciousness; rapid, slow, or irregular heartbeat; severe dizziness or light-headedness.
Proper storage of Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets:
Store Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets at room temperature, below 86 degrees F (30 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets are to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Procardia XL Sustained-Release Tablets. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Procardia XL resources
- Procardia XL Side Effects (in more detail)
- Procardia XL Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Procardia XL Drug Interactions
- Procardia XL Support Group
- 2 Reviews for Procardia XL - Add your own review/rating
Compare Procardia XL with other medications
- High Blood Pressure
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