Cilnidipine

Calcium Antagonist · calcium channel blockers

Indications

Hypertension.

Dosage

Adults: Initially, 5-10 mg once daily. May increase dose to 20 mg once daily, if needed.

Adverse Effects

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, heartburn, abdominal pain/distention/discomfort, constipation, epigastric distress, headache, dizziness, angina, MI, reflex tachycardia, peripheral oedema (dose dependent). Rarely, symptomatic hypotension (with or without syncope). Thrombocytopenia, AV block, extrasystoles, dry eye syndrome, eye pain, gingival hyperplasia, lethargy, malaise, shivering, jaundice, abnormal creatine kinase levels, ECG abnormality, abnormal LFTs, insomnia, amnesia, proteinuria, urinary frequency, urine sedimentation abnormality, rash, pruritus, rubor, photosensitivity, hyperaemia, facial flushing.

Risk Factor (Pregnancy/Lactation)

Contraindications: Heart failure. Precautions: Severe aortic stenosis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, outflow tract obstruction. Avoid abrupt withdrawal. Severe hepatic impairment. Elderly. Assess for signs of peripheral oedema. Monitor blood pressure and heart rate.

Interactions

Cimetidine. Azole antifungal agents (e.g. miconazole, itraconazole).

Advice to Patient

Avoid grapefruit juice during treatment. Avoid tasks that require mental alertness such as driving and operating machinery due to risk of dizziness.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Absorbed from the small intestine. Metabolism: Hepatic. Half-life elimination: 7.5 hrs. Time to peak, plasma: 1.8-2.2 hrs. Excretion: Faeces (80%). Urine (20%).

Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →

Always consult a pharmacist or doctor.