Nifedipine (Adalat, Nifedical, Procardia)
A class II calcium antagonist used for the prevention of angina and the treatment of hypertension. It is also used to treat Raynaud’s phenomenon (pallor and numbness of the fingers). A prescription only medicine, it is available as capsules or tablets, some of which are modified-release formulations.
Precautions: nifedipine should not be used to treat unstable angina and should not be given to patients who have had a heart attack in the previous month.
Interactions with other drugs:
Digoxin: its plasma concentration may be increased by nifedipine.
Phenytoin: its plasma concentration is increased by nifedipine.
Quinidine: its plasma concentration is reduced by nifedipine.
Rifampicin: reduces the effects of nifedipine.
Proprietary preparations: Adalat (capsules); Adalat LA (modified-release tablets); Adalat Retard (modified-release tablets); Adipine MR (modified-release tablets); Angiopine MR (modified-release tablets); Calanif (capsules); Cardilate MR (modified-release tablets); Coracten (modified-release tablets); Coroday MR (modified-release tablets); Fortipine LA 40 (modified-release tablets); Hypolar Retard 20 (modified-release tablets); Nifedipress MR (modified-release tablets); Nifedotard 20 MR (modified-release tablets); Nifelease (modified-release tablets); Nimodrel MR (modified-release tablets); Nivaten Retard (modified-release tablets); Slofedipine XL (modified-release tablets); Tensipine MR (modified-release tablets); Unipine XL (modified-release tablets); BETA-ADALAT (combined with atenolol); TENIF (combined with atenolol).