Adalat

Nifedipine (brand name Adalat) belongs to a class of medications called calcium channel blockers. By relaxing coronary arteries, it is useful in treating and preventing chest pain (angina) that result from coronary artery spasm.

Generic name: Nifedipine

Product Brand Name: Adalat - Gits ®, Adalat ®, Procardia ®

1. Prescribed For: Chest pain (angina) occurs due to insufficient oxygen delivered to the heart muscles. Inadequate oxygen may be a result of coronary artery blockage or spasm, or because of physical exertion that increases heart oxygen demand in a patient with coronary artery narrowing. Adalat is used for the treatment and prevention of angina resulting from coronary artery spasm as well as from exertion. It is also used to open the blood vessels which spasm, causing Raynaud's phenomenon. The medication is also used in the treatment of high blood pressure.
2. Dosing: Adalat can be taken with or without food. Mainly Adalat is metabolized by the liver. So in patients with liver dysfunction, dosages may need to be lowered.

3. Drug Interactions: In patients with severe obstructive coronary artery disease, Adalat can increase the frequency and severity of angina or actually reason a heart attack on rare occasions. Usually this phenomenon occurs when first starting Adalat, or at the time of dosage increase. Especially in patients already taking another blood pressure lowering medication, too much lowering of blood pressure during initiation of Adalat treatment can occur. In rare cases, congestive heart failure has been related with this drug, usually in patients already on a beta blocker.

Adalat administration with digoxin can enhance digoxin blood levels. Therefore, to avoid toxicity, blood levels of digoxin are usually monitored. Concurrent administration of cimetidine (Tagamet) interferes with the liver breakdown of Adalat, and considerably increases Adalat blood levels. So, careful dosing is essential when both medications are administered. Generally, Adalat is avoided in children.

4. Nursing Mothers: Usually, Adalat is avoided in nursing mothers.
5. Side Effects: Generally side effects of Adalat are mild and reversible. The majority side effects are expected consequences of the dilation of the arteries. The most common side effects include dizziness, headache, flushing, and edema (swelling) of the lower extremities. Dizziness, nausea and constipation are less common side effects.
6. Storage: Store the medicine at room temperature, away from light and moisture.
Caution! Before taking this medicine, it is very important that you should consult your doctor! Do not use it on your own initiative, without medical advice.
Adalat
Adalat is an effective drug prescribed for the treatment of severe chest pain known as Angina. Available with the product brand name: Procardia ®, the medication works by relaxing the coronary arteries, thus helping to put off chest pains that are caused as a result of coronary artery spasm. As coronary artery blockage or spasm is caused due to the inadequate supply of oxygen to the heart, Adalat prevents the physical exertion and also controls high blood pressure. It also aids in the opening of blood vessels that are affected by the spasm caused by Raynaud's phenomenon.
Patients affected by liver dysfunction should avoid the medicine since adalat is metabolized primarily by liver. Consuming grapefruit together with this drug should also be avoided to prevent adalat grapefruit interaction that can increase the effect of the medication. Taking this medicine during pregnancy is also prohibited. Moreover, it is prohibited to take alcohol while taking this drug because of the side effect connected to adalat and alcohol. It may increase the drowsiness and dizziness in conjunction with the decrease of blood pressure.

You should also be aware of different side effects associated with this medicine. That includes dizziness, headache, flushing, edema (swelling) of the lower extremities, dilation of the arteries etc. In rare case it is found that it can increase the severity and frequency of angina. So people suffering from obstructive coronary artery disorder should also avoid taking this drug. But in certain people, reduction of blood pressure may occur in the initial stages. Therefore, it is suggested to use the drug only after proper medical consultation.