Procardia XL

• Nifedipine is used alone or in combination with other drugs to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks and kidney problems.
• This medication is also used for certain types of chest pain (angina). It may help increase your ability to exercise and decrease the frequency of chest pain attacks. It should not be used to treat chest pain when it occurs. Use other medications (such as sublingual Nitroglycerin) to relieve attacks of chest pain as directed by your medical provider. Consult your medical provider or pharmacist for more details.
• This medication is a calcium channel blocker that works by relaxing and widening blood vessels so blood can flow more easily.

• Take this medication by mouth, with or without food, usually once daily or as directed by your medical provider. Swallow the tablets whole. Do not crush or chew the tablets, as it can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk of side effects.
• Your medical provider may gradually increase your dose. Follow their instructions carefully. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.
• Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while being treated with this medication unless your medical provider instructs you otherwise. Grapefruit juice can increase the amount of certain medications in your bloodstream. Consult your medical provider or pharmacist for more details.
• Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to take it at the same time each day. Keep taking this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick.
• Do not suddenly stop taking this medication without consulting your medical provider. Your condition may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.
• Tell your medical provider if your condition worsens—for example, you experience an increase in your routine blood pressure readings.

• Headache, dizziness, nausea, flushing, constipation, leg/muscle cramps or sexual problems may occur. To reduce dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your medical provider or pharmacist right away.
• An empty tablet shell may appear in your stool. This is harmless, as your body has already absorbed the medication.

• Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your medical provider has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not experience serious side effects. Tell your medical provider right away if you experience any serious side effects, including:

  • Swelling of the ankles or feet
  • Shortness of breath
  • Unusual weakness or tiredness
  • Fast, slow or irregular heartbeat
  • Fainting
  • Mental or mood changes
  • Swollen or tender gums
  • Vision changes
  • Severe constipation
  • Severe stomach or abdominal pain
  • Black stools
• Although this medication is effective at preventing chest pain (angina), some people who already have severe heart disease may, in rare cases, develop worsening chest pain or a heart attack after starting this medication or increasing the dose. Get medical help right away if you experience worsening chest pain or symptoms of a heart attack such as chest/jaw/left arm pain, shortness of breath or unusual sweating.

• A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:

  • Rash
  • Itching or swelling, especially of the face/tongue/throat
  • Severe dizziness
  • Trouble breathing

• This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, request a callback for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

• Before taking this medication, tell your medical provider or pharmacist if you are allergic to it, other calcium channel blockers (such as Amlodipine and Felodipine) or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Go to your patient dashboard and request a callback for more details.

• Before using this medication, tell your medical provider or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

  • Galactose intolerance
  • Heart diseases, such as congestive heart failure, aortic stenosis and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
  • Liver problems
  • Esophagus, stomach or intestine problems, such as narrowing/stricture, motility disorders, obstruction, colon cancer, intestinal surgeries, weight loss surgeries, including gastric bypass
  • Kidney problems
  • The metabolic disorder porphyria
• Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use—including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs and herbal products.
• This drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can exacerbate the effect. Do not drive, use machinery or do anything that requires alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your medical provider if you are using marijuana.
• During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when there is a clear need. Discuss the risks and benefits with your medical provider.
• Nifedipine passes into breast milk. While there have been no reports of harm to nursing infants, consult your medical provider before breastfeeding.

• Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. 
• Keep a list of all the products you use—including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products—and share it with your medical provider and pharmacist. 
• Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicines without your medical provider's approval.

• Some products that may interact with this drug include:

  • Alpha blockers such as Doxazosin
  • Calcium or Magnesium Sulfate received through a vein
  • Dantrolene
  • Digoxin
  • Fentanyl
  • Melatonin

• Other medications can affect the removal of Nifedipine from your body, which may affect how it works. Examples include:

  • Apalutamide
  • Cimetidine
  • Enzalutamide
  • Mitotane
  • Quinupristin/Dalfopristin
  • St. John's wort
  • Rifamycins such as Rifabutin and Rifampin
  • Drugs used to treat seizures, such as Carbamazepine and Phenytoin

• Some products have ingredients that could raise your heart rate or blood pressure. Tell your pharmacist what products you are using, and ask how to use them safely—especially cough-and-cold products, diet aids or NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen and Naproxen.

• Do not share this medication with others.
• Lifestyle changes such as stress reduction programs, exercise and dietary changes may increase the effectiveness of this medicine. Talk to your medical provider or pharmacist about lifestyle changes that might benefit you.
• Lab and/or medical tests such as liver/kidney function and EKG should be performed while you are taking this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your medical provider for more details.
• Have your blood pressure checked regularly while taking this medication. Learn how to monitor your own blood pressure at home, and share the results with your medical provider.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

• Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom.
• Keep all medications away from children and pets.
• Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more information.