Nifedipine Dosage
Generic name: nifedipine
Class: Calcium channel blocking agents
What is Nifedipine
Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker. The structural formula of nifedipine is a 3,5-pyridine dicarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(2-nitrophenyl)-dimethyl ester, C17H18N2O6
Nifedipine is a yellow crystalline molecule that is essentially water-insoluble but ethanol soluble. It has a 346.3 molecular weight.
Precautions and warnings
- It is vital that your doctor examine your progress regularly to ensure that the medicine is functioning correctly and to monitor for any adverse side effects.
- It is not recommended to take this medication if you are also taking any other medications, including
- Combining these medications could cause serious issues. Check with your physician about the exact medications you’re taking.
- Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting can occur, particularly when you suddenly get up from a sitting or lying posture. These signs tend to be more common as you begin to take this medication, or if you increase the dose.
- This medication may create swelling of the limbs (edema) in certain patients. Inform your doctor immediately when you experience swelling or bloating on the arms, face or hands, feet or lower legs or feet; tingling in the feet or hands, or an unusual weight loss or gain.
- Don’t discontinue taking this medication without first consulting with your physician. Your doctor may advise you to reduce gradually the amount of medication you’re taking before stopping all at once.
- Be sure that the dentist or doctor who treats you is aware that you’re using this medication. It is possible that you will have to stop taking this medication a few days prior to performing any medical or surgical procedures. This medication can influence the results of some medical tests.
- Grapefruits and grapefruit juice can enhance its effects on Nifedipine by increasing the quantity of this medication within the body. It is not recommended to eat wine or grapefruit juice when you take this medication.
- Do not take any other medications in the absence of discussing with your physician. This includes prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter OTC) medicine, herbal and vitamin supplements.¶
Nifedipine Dosage
This article is applicable to the following Nifedipine Dosage of 10 mg, 20 mg 30 mg 60 mg 90 mg
Common Adult Dose used for:
Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension
Extended-release tablets:
- Initial dose: 30-60 mg taken orally, once per day
- Dose for maintenance 30-90 mg taken orally every day
- Maximum dose: Up to 120 mg/day
Comments:
Doses can be gradually increased from between 7 and 14 days.
Some extended-release tablet makers advise a maximum dosage of 90 mg/day.
Comments:
This drug should be utilized in conjunction with a complete program to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (e.g. cholesterol control diabetic management, antithrombotic treatment, smoking quit and exercise, and sodium intake restrictions).
The most significant benefit that was observed with the use of the drug is the decrease in stroke risk. However, there were also decreases in myocardial infarctions as well as mortality from cardiovascular causes.
Use: Treatment for hypertension to decrease the chance of death and nonfatal cardiovascular events particularly myocardial infarctions, strokes, and strokes.
Usual Adult Dose for Angina Pectoris Prophylaxis
Immediate-release capsules:
- Initial dosage: 10 mg taken orally three times a day.
- Maintenance dose of 10-30 mg taken orally, 3 to 4 times a day.
- Maximum doe: 180 mg/day
Extended-release tablets:
- Initial dosage: 30-60 mg once orally every day
- Dose for maintenance 30 to 90 mg once orally, every day
- Maximum dose: Up to 120 mg/day
Comments:
Doses may be gradually increased every between 7 and 14 days.
Doses that are immediate-release and above 120 mg/day are rarely required.
Certain extended-release tablets manufacturers advise a maximum dosage of 90 mg/day.
Tests that last up to 8 weeks have demonstrated decreased angina frequency and a higher endurance to exercise; however, the safety and effectiveness beyond eight weeks are not known.
Uses:
Treatment of vasospastic gina is identified by the classic pattern of angina at rest, accompanied with ST-segment elevation and angina, or the coronary artery spasm caused by ergonovine OR angiographically documented coronary artery spasm
The clinical presentation suggests a vasospastic cause, but vasospasm hasn’t been proven (e.g. the pain is an undetermined threshold of the exertion, or when angina appears to be not responsive to nitrates, or to sufficient levels of beta-blockers)
-Management of chronic stable angina/effort-associated angina without evidence of vasospasm in patients who remain symptomatic despite adequate doses of beta blockers and/or organic nitrates or who cannot tolerate those agents
Usual Adult Dose for Angina Pectoris
Immediate-release capsules:
- Initial dosage: 10 mg orally three times a day.
- Maintenance dose 10-30 mg taken orally 3-4 times per day.
- Maximum dose: 180 mg/day
Extended-release tablets:
- Initial dosage: 30-60 mg taken orally, once per day
- Maintenance dose 30-90 mg taken orally every day
- Maximum dose: Up to 120 mg/day
Comments:
Doses can be gradually increased every between 7 and 14 days.
Doses that are immediate-release and above 120 mg/day are typically not required.
Certain extended-release tablets manufacturers suggest a dosage of 90 mg per day.
Tests lasting up to eight weeks have revealed a decrease in angina frequency and a higher tolerance to exercise. However, the safety and effectiveness beyond eight weeks are not known.
Uses:
Management of vasospastic angina as demonstrated by the classical pattern of angina that is not accompanied with ST-segment elevation and angina, or coronary artery spasm caused by ergonovine OR angiographically-proven coronary artery spasm
The clinical presentation suggests a vasospastic component, however, vasospasm is not confirmed (e.g. pain is an undetermined threshold of the exercise or when angina is resistant to nitrates or sufficient dosages of beta-blockers)
-Management of chronic stable angina/effort-associated angina without evidence of vasospasm in patients who remain symptomatic despite adequate doses of beta-blockers and/or organic nitrates or who cannot tolerate those agents
Renal Dose Adjustments
The data is are not available
Liver Dose Adjustments
Capsules with immediate release Information not readily available
Extended-release tablets:
- Mild liver dysfunction: Data not available
Moderate in severe liver impairment Use with care; regular monitoring advised. The doctor should think about starting patients with the lowest dose.
Dose Adjustments
Immediate-release capsules:
Rapid titration for patients who are under constant examination:
Day 1 10 mg orally, 3 times per day.
Day 2 20 mg orally three times per day.
Day 3 and beyond 30 mg taken orally 3 times per day.
Patients who are hospitalized under strict supervision Patients under close supervision: Increase dose in increments of 10 mg (maximum one dose of 30 mg) every 4 to 6 hours in order to manage arrhythmias and pain.
Extended-release tablets:
Moving from capsules that are immediate-release:
Switch to the closest equivalent daily dose (e.g. 30 mg taken orally three times per every day (in IR capsules] could be changed to 90 mg once per each day (in ER tablets[in ER tablets])
Refusal of treatment:
Doses should be reduced gradually and patients must be monitored for adverse reactions.
Dialysis
Information is are not available
Other Comments
Administration tips:
- The capsules that are immediate-release should be taken whole and can be consumed in conjunction with food or not.
- Modified-release formulations should be taken in conjunction with meals.
- Extended-release formulations must be swallowed whole and must be consumed with a full stomach.
- Extended-release formulations should not be broken, crushed, or chewed.
- Grapefruit juice must be avoided.
Storage needs:
Instant-release capsules: Protect them from moisture and light and avoid freezing.
Extended-release tablets protect against water and light.
General:
Patients can be taking sublingual nitroglycerin in conjunction with acute angina.
Prolonged/modified/extended-release formulations may not be bioequivalent to immediate-release formulations.
Monitoring:
Cardiovascular The heart rate, blood pressure, rate, and symptoms of angina, particularly during the time of initiation and titration
Patient advice:
Inform patients that this drug could cause dizziness, drowsiness blindness, lethargy nausea, or headache and that they should not drive or use machinery till effects of this drug are evident.
Inform patients to report any symptoms or signs of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, hepatitis/jaundice, hypersensitivity reactions.
Patients who are taking extended-release tablets are advised not to be worried if they discover tablets inside their stool.
Patients are advised to seek out a medical professional in the event of becoming pregnant, planning to be pregnant, or nursing.
Patients are advised to inform their doctor of any other medications, both prescription and nonprescription, or herbal supplements they take.
Additional details
Always consult your doctor to make sure the information presented on this site is appropriate to your specific situation.