The following information is a summary about Procardia. It is not intended to replace a doctor's instructions.
Why is this Procardia medication prescribed?
Procardia/Nifedipine is used to treat high blood pressure. Procardia relaxes your blood vessels so your heart does not have to pump as hard. Procardia also increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart to control chest pain (angina). If taken regularly, Procardia/nifedipine controls chest pain, but Procardia does not stop chest pain once it starts. Your doctor may give you a different medication to take when you have chest pain.
This Procardia medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or Procardia pharmacist for more Procardia information.
How should this Procardia medicine be used?
Procardia/Nifedipine comes as a capsule and an extended-release tablet (long-acting) to take by mouth. Procardia is usually taken one or three times a day. The extended-release Procardia tablet should be taken on an empty stomach, either 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal, and should be swallowed whole. Do not chew, divide, or crush the tablet. Follow the Procardia directions on your Procardia prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or Procardia pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take Procardia/nifedipine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of Procardia or take Procardia more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Procardia/Nifedipine controls high blood pressure and chest pain (angina) but does not cure them. Continue to take Procardia/nifedipine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking Procardia/nifedipine without talking to your doctor.
Additional Procardia Information
Procardia/Nifedipine also is used to treat migraine headaches, Raynaud's syndrome, congestive heart failure, and cardiomyopathy. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this Procardia drug for your condition.
Procardia Precautions
Before taking Procardia/nifedipine,
tell your doctor and Procardia pharmacist if you are allergic to Procardia/nifedipine or any other drugs.
tell your doctor and Procardia pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially cimetidine (Tagamet); fentanyl (Duragesic); heart and blood pressure medications like beta-blockers, digoxin (Lanoxin), warfarin (Coumadin), and quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex); phenytoin (Dilantin); ranitidine (Zantac); and vitamins.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart, liver, or kidney disease.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking Procardia/nifedipine, call your doctor.
if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking Procardia/nifedipine.
What special Procardia dietary instructions should I follow?
Procardia/Nifedipine capsules may be taken with or without food, but the Procardia/nifedipine extended-release tablets should be taken on an empty stomach, either 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.
Avoid drinking grapefruit juice or eating grapefruit 1 hour before or for 2 hours after taking Procardia/nifedipine.
Do not drink alcoholic beverages while taking this Procardia medication.
Talk to your doctor before using salt substitutes containing potassium. If your doctor prescribes a low-salt or low-sodium diet, follow these directions carefully.
Procardia Side Effects
Although side effects from Procardia/nifedipine are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these Procardia/symptoms are severe or do not go away:
headache
upset stomach
dizziness or lightheadedness
excessive tiredness
flushing (feeling of warmth)
heartburn
fast heartbeat
muscle cramps
enlargement of gum tissue around teeth
constipation
nasal congestion
cough
decreased sexual ability
If you experience any of the following Procardia symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs
difficulty breathing or swallowing
fainting
rash
yellowing of the skin or eyes
increase in frequency or severity of chest pain (angina)
Procardia Misc
Good dental hygiene decreases the chance and severity of gum swelling. Brush your teeth regularly and schedule dental cleanings every 6 months.
The extended-release Procardia tablet does not dissolve in the stomach after being swallowed. It slowly releases Procardia medicine as it passes through your small intestines. It is not unusual to see the Procardia tablet shell in the stool.
In case of Procardia emergency/overdose
In case of Procardia overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Other uses for this Procardia medicine
This Procardia medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more Procardia information.
What should I do if I forget a Procardia dose?
Take the missed Procardia dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next Procardia dose, skip the missed Procardia dose and continue your regular Procardia dosing schedule. Do not take a double Procardia dose to make up for a missed one.
What storage conditions are needed for Procardia?
Keep Procardia in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store Procardia at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any Procardia medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your Procardia medication.
What other Procardia information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests before and during treatment to check your response to Procardia.
Do not let anyone else take your Procardia medication. Ask your Procardia pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your Procardia prescription.
