|
||||
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|||||||
eHealth Recomends the Following Products & Services -
Medicine, Its Use And Remidies for Ailments - Adalat
Adalat contains Nifedipine. Nifedipine (Niff-ed-ip-een) is a medicine which is used in angina, hypertension and Raynaud's disease.
Nifedipine has been prescribed for your current medical problems and should not be used for other medical problems. Do not share your medicine with other people as it may not be suitable for them and could cause them harm. In the same way, you should not use medicines that belong to other people.
The pharmacy label on your medicine tells you how much medicine you should take. It also tells you how often to take your medicine. This is the dose that you and your prescriber have agreed you should take. Depending on your response to the medicine, how the medicine works and the goals of your treatment, your prescriber may vary your dose. You should not change the dose of your medicine unless you are told to do so by your prescriber.
Nifedipine works by relaxing blood vessels. This helps to maintain blood flow to the heart and reduce the frequency and severity of angina attacks. Nifedipine also reduces blood pressure.
Nifedipine will not give you immediate relief of your symptoms once an angina attack has started. Ask your prescriber or nurse for advice on what to do if you have an angina attack.
Other information about Nifedipine:
- your doctor may start you on a low dose of this medicine and then increase the dose depending on how you respond to treatment
If you feel that the medicine is making you unwell or you do not think it is working, then talk to your prescriber.
Is this medicine suitable for you
Nifedipine is not suitable for everyone and some people should never use it. Other people should only use it with special care. It is important that the person prescribing this medicine knows your full medical history.
Your prescriber may not prescribe this medicine if you:
- are a man who has been unsuccessful in fathering a child by in vitro fertilisation
- are a woman who could become pregnant
- are allergic to any of the ingredients in the medicine
- are allergic to dihydropyridines
- are breast-feeding
- are elderly
- are on dialysis
- are pregnant
- have diabetes
- have liver problems
- have or have had certain heart problems
Furthermore, the prescriber may not prescribe this medicine for a child.
Over time it is possible that Nifedipine can become unsuitable for some people, or they may become unsuitable for it. If at any time it appears that Nifedipine has become unsuitable, it is important that the prescriber is contacted immediately.
Side Effects
Some side-effects may be serious while others may only be a mild inconvenience. Very occasionally, certain side-effects can be beneficial.
Everyone's reaction to a medicine is different. It is difficult to predict which side-effects you will have from taking a particular medicine, or whether you will have any side-effects at all. The important thing is to tell your prescriber or pharmacist if you are having problems with your medicine.
Common: Between 1% and 10% of people who take Nifedipine
- dizziness
- headaches
- nausea
- oedema of the extremities
- vasodilatation
Uncommon: Between 0.1% and 1% of people who take Nifedipine
- a drop in blood pressure on standing or sitting up
- breathing difficulties
- chest pain - if you develop chest pain after taking the first dose of Nifedipine, seek medical help immediately
- constipation
- diarrhoea
- dry mouth
- eye or eyesight problems
- faster heart rate
- feeling agitated
- feeling nervous
- gastrointestinal problems
- general feeling of being unwell
- indigestion
- itching
- lethargy
- lowered blood pressure
- oedema
- palpitations
- skin rash or rashes
- sleeping problems
- stomach pain
- sweating
- tremors
- vertigo
- weakness
Rare: Between 0.01% and 0.1% of people who take Nifedipine
- allergic reactions
- difficulty sleeping
- enlarged stomach
- fainting or brief loss of consciousness
- flatulence
- hypersensitivity reactions including jaundice
- hypersensitivity to external stimuli such as light, noise and physical contact
- impotence
- increased blood sugar levels
- loss of appetite
- mood changes
- muscle pain or tenderness
- pain
- paraesthesiae
- passing much more urine than usual
- skin problems
- sleepiness
- vomiting
Very rare: Less than 0.01% of people who take Nifedipine
- abnormal laboratory test results
- bone marrow problems
- liver problems
- lowered blood pressure which may lead to other heart problems
- photosensitivity
- unexplained or unexpected bruising
- urticaria
The frequency of these side-effects is unknown
- blood sugar control changes in diabetics
- breast enlargement in men
- heart attack
- lowered blood pressure with a faster heart rate - this may lead to heart and circulation problems
- overgrowth of gums
- worsening of angina or other heart problems
If you feel unwell or if you have concerns about a side-effect, you will need to seek advice. If you feel very ill, get medical help straight away. Contact your prescriber, pharmacist, nurse or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
Taking other medicines
If you are taking more than one medicine they may interact with each other. At times your prescriber may decide to use medicines that interact, in other cases this may not be appropriate.
The decision to use medicines that interact depends on your specific circumstances. Your prescriber may decide to use medicines that interact, if it is believed that the benefits of taking the medicines together outweigh the risks. In such cases, it may be necessary to alter your dose or monitor you more closely.
Tell your prescriber the names of all the medicines that you are taking so that they can consider all possible interactions. This includes all the medicines which have been prescribed by your GP, hospital doctor, dentist, nurse, health visitor, midwife or pharmacist. You must also tell your prescriber about medicines which you have bought over the counter without prescriptions.
The following medicines may interact with Nifedipine:
- amprenavir
- carbamazepine
- cimetidine
- cisapride
- dalfopristin/quinupristin
- digoxin
- diltiazem
- erythromycin
- fluconazole
- fluoxetine
- indinavir
- intravenous magnesium sulphate
- itraconazole
- ketoconazole
- nefazodone
- nelfinavir
- phenobarbital
- phenytoin
- quinidine
- rifampicin
- ritonavir
- saquinavir
- tacrolimus
- valproic acid
The following types of medicine may interact with Nifedipine:
- antihypertensives
- beta-blockers
- cytochrome P450 enzyme inducers
- cytochrome P450 enzyme inhibitors
If you are taking Nifedipine and one of the above medicines or types of medicines, make sure your prescriber knows about it.
Complementary preparations and vitamins
Medicines can interact with complementary preparations and vitamins. In general, there is not much information available about interactions between medicines and complementary preparations or vitamins.
Make sure you tell your prescriber the names of all the complementary preparations and vitamins that you are taking or are planning to take.
Your prescriber can then advise whether it is appropriate for you to take combinations that are known to interact. They can also discuss with you the possible effect that the complementary preparations and vitamins will have on your condition.
- there are no known interactions between Nifedipine and any complementary preparations or vitamins
If you experience any unusual effects while taking this medicine in combination with complementary preparations and vitamins, you should tell your prescriber.
Driving and operating machinery
When taking any medicine you should be aware that it might interfere with your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.
- this medicine may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery and this may be worsened if Nifedipine is taken with alcohol
You should see how this medicine affects you before you judge whether you are safe to drive or operate machinery. If you are in any doubt about whether you should drive or operate machinery, talk to your prescriber.
Diet
Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your prescriber may advise you to avoid certain foods.
- this medicine interacts with grapefruit juice. Grapefruit juice increases the level of Nifedipine in your blood. Do not take Nifedipine with grapefruit juice
If your diet includes any of the above, speak to your prescriber or pharmacist for further advice.
Alcohol
Alcohol can interact with certain medicines.
- there are no known interactions between alcohol and Nifedipine
Family planning and pregnancy
Most medicines, in some way, can affect the development of a baby in the womb. The effect on the baby differs between medicines and also depends on the stage of pregnancy that you have reached when you take the medicine.
- do not take this medicine during pregnancy
- if you become pregnant, or think you have become pregnant while taking Nifedipine, you must contact your prescriber
- this medicine may impair sperm function
This medicine is not suitable during pregnancy. It is essential that you seek urgent medical advice if you become pregnant while taking this medicine.
If you are planning to become pregnant, you should discuss your personal circumstances with your doctor so that together you can make a decision about what treatment you may need during your pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
Certain medicines can pass into breast milk and may reach your baby through breast-feeding.
- women who are breast-feeding must not take this medicine
Before you have your baby you should discuss breast-feeding with your doctor or midwife. If you wish to breast-feed you should discuss with your prescriber whether there are any other medicines you could take which would also allow you to breast-feed. You should not stop this medicine without taking advice from your doctor.
Ingredients
Medicines contain active ingredients. They may also contain other, additional ingredients that help ensure the stability, safety and effectiveness of the medicine. They are also added to improve the medicine's taste and appearance and to make it easier to take. Some may be used to prolong the life of the medicine.
This medicine contains nifedipine.
Disclaimer - eHealth Treats does not endorse or recommend any commercial products, processes, or services. Consulting a Qualified Medical Practitioner is always recommended. eHealth Treats does not and should not be taken as a substitute for a Qualified Medical Practitioner.
eHealth eZine - Your Daily Dose of Good Health -
Get your Daily dose of Good Health Absolutely Free. The eZine will keep you up-to-date on Health issues and will motivate you to Live a Happy Healthy Life. Additionally you will receive Great Health Freebies..
|
