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Introduction of
Felodipine
Felodipine is an oral calcium- channel blocker of the
dihydropyridine class. Other calcium channel blockers in the
DHP class include nifedipine, amlodipine, nisoldipine,
nicardipine, and isradipine. Calcium is necessary for muscle
cells to contract. Felodipine prevents calcium from being
released within the muscle cells of the small arteries and
thereby causes the muscles to relax and the arteries to dilate
or expand. Felodipine has little or no effect on the muscles
of veins or the heart. Felodipine is used to treat high blood
pressure. It may be used alone or in combination with other
agents. Felodipine also is used to treat patients with angina
and is being studied in patients with congestive heart
failure.
Felodipine Drug Interaction
Blood levels of digoxin can be increased by felodipine. This
could lead to digoxin-related side effects, such as vision
changes. Cimetidine can block the breakdown of felodipine,
resulting in higher blood concentrations of felodipine and
drops in blood pressure. Carbamazepine, phenobarbital, or
phenytoin can lower felodipine blood concentrations.
Therefore, higher doses of felodipine may be necessary in
patients receiving these medications.
Felodipine Side Effects
Although side effects from
felodipine are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if
any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
-
headache
-
flushing
(feeling of warmth)
-
dizziness or
lightheadedness
-
weakness
-
fast
heartbeat
-
heartburn
-
constipation
-
enlargement
of gum tissue around teeth
If you experience any of the
following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
-
swelling of
the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs
-
difficulty
breathing or swallowing
-
fainting
-
rash
Felodipine Storage
Keep
Felodipine
in the
container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of
children. Store
Felodipine
at room temperature and away from excess
heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any
medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your
pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
Disclaimer:
Information on this page is provided for general
information purposes. You should not make a clinical treatment
decision based on information contained in this page without
consulting other references including the package insert of
the drug, textbooks and where relevant, expert opinion. We
cannot be held responsible for any errors you make in
administering drugs mentioned on this page, nor for use of any
erroneous information contained on this page.
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