IMPORTANT NOTE. We strongly recommend that you consult your doctor for proper advice before using any medications, including vitamins, supplements, herbals and products for the skin.
Brand Name, Dosage Format and Strength
Calcibloc OD 30 mg Coated Tablet
Therapeutic Category
Cardiovascular and Hematopoietic System
Class
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor, Diuretic, Angiotensin-II Receptor Blocker, Angiotensin-II Receptor Blocker, Diuretic, 3-Ketoacyl Coenzyme A Thiolase (3-KAT) Inhibitor, Nitrates Salicylate, Antiplatelet, Peripheral Vasodilator, Beta-Andrenoceptor Blocker, Calcium Channel Blocker, Direct-acting Inotropic Agent, Diuretic, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor, Diuretic, Angiotensin-II Receptor Blocker, Diuretic, Fibric Acid Derivative, HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor, Recombinant Human Erythropoietin, Hemostatics
UNDESIRABLE EFFECTS
In addition to the desired main activity, drugs can also have undesirable effects, so-called side effects. Side effects that have been observed in temporal connection with the use of nifedipine, but which need not necessarily occur in all patients, are mentioned below.
Headaches and flush with sensation of warmth (erythema, erythromelalgia) may occur, particularly at the beginning of treatment; they are usually transient.
An increase in the heart rate (tachycardia), palpitation and, due to dilation of the blood vessels, lower-leg edema (collection of fluid in the lower legs) may occasionally occur. There may also be dizziness and tiredness, plus a tingling sensation in the arms and legs (paresthesia), and a lowering BP to below the normal.
GI disturbances such as nausea, feeling of fullness, and diarrhea occur in rare instances under nifedipine. Skin hypertensive reactions such as itching (pruritus), urticaria, and rashes (exanthema) have been observed in rare instances. Blood picture changes such as anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and cutaneous and mucosal bleeding with thrombocytopenia (thrombocytopenic purpura) have been described in rare instances in connection with nifedipine medication. In rare cases in older men on long-term therapy an enlargement of the mammary glands (gynecomastia) has been observed, which so far has always regressed completely on withdrawal of the drug.
Gum alterations (gingival hyperplasia), which regress completely on withdrawal of the drug, may occur in extremely rare cases under longer-term treatment.
In isolated cases there have been reports of liver function disturbances (intrahepatic cholestasis, elevations of transaminases), a decrease in the numbers of certain blood cells (agranulocytosis), small punctuate hemorrhages in the skin and mucosa (purpura), squamous inflammation of the skin (exfoliative dermatitis), inflammation of the skin by sunlight and ultraviolet (photodermatitis), as well as acute systemic allergic reactions such as swelling of the skin and mucosa, edema of the glottis (serious angina), and bronchospasms up to life-threatening dyspnea, which are reversible on withdrawal of the treatment.
Elevation of the blood glucose (hyperglycemia) has been observed in isolated cases. This should be noted particularly when dealing with patients suffering from DM.
Muscles pains (myalgia), trembling of the fingers (tremor), and a slight and transient change in visual perception have also been observed in isolated cases, especially after high doses.
As with other antihypertensives, in isolated cases at the start of treatment with nifedipine the reduction of the BP may cause brief episodes of syncope.
A (“paradoxical”) increase in angina pectoris pains has been occasionally reported.
In kidney failure, there may be a transient deterioration of renal function under nifedipine. Care should be exercised in dialysis patients with high BP (malignant HTN) and a reduction in circulating blood volume (hypovolemia), since a marked fall in BP may occur as a result of vasodilation.
In the first few wks of the treatment there may also be an increase in the volume of urine passed each day.