Procardia

Procardia is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker known as nifedipine used primarily as a treatment for angina pectoris(severe chest pain). It works by slowing down the muscle contractions of the heart and relaxing an widening blood vessels. It also has found alternative use as treatment for Reynaud’s phenomenon, premature labor, and other painful muscle spasms. Procardia is manufactured by Pfizer and comes in 10mg and 20mg capsules.

The usual starting dosage is 10mg three times a day. Since Procardia is designed to be gradually released in the body, do not crush or chew on the capsule as you swallow it. They may or may not be taken with food. Dosage is then tailored to fit your needs as you response to the therapy. Some patients with liver disease may need to have lowered dosage as Procardia is processed in the liver. Some patients, who suffer from coronary artery spasm, may only respond with higher doses or a more frequent intake of Procardia. In such cases 20-30mg doses up to four times a day might be necessary. However, seldom will the dose exceed 120mg a day and should not be more than 180mg a day.

Avoid grapefruit juice while taking Procardia, as grapefruit juice may increase nifedipine levels in the bloodstream. If you have recently taken grapefruit juice, its effects may still be noticeable after 3 days.

Inform you doctor if you suffer from congestive heart failure or aortic stenosis as Procardia may possibly worsen these conditions. While Procardia is commonly used as hypertension treatment, it is not advised to do so as it may cause a sudden dangerous drop in blood pressure. Procardia is still primarily an anti-angina medication. It is also important to inform doctors if you are on Procardia if you are expecting a surgery, as certain anesthetics may also affect blood pressure. Inform doctors as well if you are already under some form of blood pressure medication, as their effects may compound if taken together with Procardia. For this same, reason, alcohol should be avoided as it can also lower blood pressure.

Do not administer Procardia within a week or two after a heart attack as this may increase their risk for subsequent attacks. There is also a rare chance of experiencing angina upon taking Procardia. Please consult your doctor immediately if this happens.

You may feel dizzy and lightheaded for the first few days you take this drug, so much care should be taken when driving or operating machinery. Move slowly when getting up from a sitting or lying position to minimize dizziness from moving. Cramps, bloating, nausea, blurry vision, headaches and sweating are also normal while the body tries to get used to Procardia, but if these do not subside ort you develop a severe allergic reaction (rashes, difficulty in breathing, swelling) consult your doctor immediately.

More serious side effects that require more medical attention include fainting, irregular heartbeat, persistent nausea and vomiting, chest pain, bruising or bleeding, abnormal stools and vomit, or yellowing of the eyes and skin.