Nifedipine

From SEHK Wiki

Nifedipine(中文:硝苯地平) is a dihydropyridine calcium-channel blocker. It is used in the management of hypertension and angina.

Pronunciation

Nifedipine 20mg (ADALAT RETARD 20mg)

Nifedipine 5mg (ADALAT RETARD 5mg)

Generic Name: Nifedipine
Brand Name: ADALAT RETARD
Class: Cardiovascular Drug
Subclass: Calcium-channel Blocker, CCB
Legal Classification: P1S1S3

Drug Names

Generic Name 藥物化學名稱 HA Code 藥物代碼 Legal Classification法律藥物分類 Brand Name 品牌名稱
Nifedipine SR Tablet 20mg NIFE03 P1S1S3 ADALAT RETARD TABLET

Mechanism of Action:

Nifedipine relaxes and widens blood vessels. It does this by blocking calcium going into muscles in the heart and blood vessels. Muscles need calcium to contract, so when you block the calcium, it makes the muscle cells relax. This lowers your blood pressure and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body.

In angina, nifedipine works by improving the blood and oxygen supply to your heart. Angina is chest pain that comes on when not enough blood gets to the muscles of the heart. This usually happens because the arteries going to the heart become hardened and narrowed.

Route of Administration:

Nifedipine is given orally in a sustained-release formulation.

Dosage

Agina

  • BY MOUTH
  • Adult: 10 mg twice daily, adjusted according to response to 40 mg twice daily.

Hypertension

  • BY MOUTH
  • Adult: 10 mg twice daily, adjusted according to response to 40 mg twice daily.

Side Effects

The following definitions of frequencies are used:

Very common ≥ 1/10

Common ≥ 1/100 to < 1/10

Uncommon ≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100

Rare ≥ 1/10,000 to < 1/1,000

Very rare < 1/10,000

System Organ Class Frequency Adverse reactions
Nervous system disorder Common Headache
Cardiac disorders UnCommon Tachycardia, palpitations
Vascular disorders Common Flushing
Gastro-intestinal disorders UnCommon Abdominal pain, nausea, constipation
Very rare Gum hyperplasia
General disorders Common Peripheral oedema

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

After oral administration nifedipine is rapidly and almost completely absorbed. The systemic availability of orally administered nifedipine is 45 – 56% owing to a first pass effect. Maximum plasma and serum concentrations are reached at 1.5 to 4.2 hours with nifedipine. Simultaneous food intake leads to delayed, but not reduced absorption.

Distribution

Nifedipine is about 95% bound to plasma protein (albumin).

Metabolism

After oral administration, nifedipine is metabolized in the gut wall and in the liver.

Nifedipine is excreted in the form of its metabolites predominantly via the kidney and about 5 – 15% via the bile in the faeces.

Elimination

The terminal elimination half-life is 6 – 11 hours because of delayed absorption. No accumulation of the substance after the usual dose was reported during long-term treatment.


How long does nifedipine take to work?

Nifedipine (Adalat Retard) tablets have extended-release properties, so they absorb in the body slowly over time and can take up to 4 hours to reach its “peak” effect.

Drug Management

Drug Interaction:

Nifedipine (Adalat Retard) tablets have extended-release properties, so they absorb in the body slowly over time and can take up to 4 hours to reach its “peak” effect.