Nifedipine

AVAILABLE FORMS:
capsul:10 mg, 20mg tablets (extended-released):30 mg, 60mg, 90mg

INDICATIONS & DOSAGES:

• Vasospastic angina (prinzmental's or variant angina), classic chronic stable angina pectoris.
• Hypertension

MECHANISM OF ACTION:

Unknown. Thought to inhibit calcium ion influx across cardiac and smooth-muscle cells, decreasing contractility and oxygen demand. Also may dilate coronary arteries and arterioles.

ADVERSE REACTION:

CNS: dizziness, light-headedness, headache, weakness, syncope, nervousness.

CV: peripheral edema, hypotension, palpitation, heart failure, MI, pulmonary edema, flushing.

EENT: nasal congestion

GI: nausea, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal discomfort

Metabolic: hypokalemia

Musculoskeletal: Muscle cramps

Respiratory: dyspnea, cough

Skin: Rash, pruritus

EFFECTS ON LAB TEST RESULTS:

May increase ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase and LDH levels. May decrease potassium level.

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Contraindicated in patients hypersensitive to drug.

NURSING CONSIDERATIONS:

1. Use cautiously in patients with heart failure or hypotension and in elderly patients.
2. Don't give immediate-release form within 1 week of acute MI or in acute coronary syndrome.
3. Watch for symptoms of heart failure.
4. Tell patient that angina may worsen briefly when beginning drug oor when dosage is increased.
5. Advise patient to avoid taking drug with grapefruit juice.
6. Tell patient to protect capsules from direct light and moisture and to store at room temperature.