Felodipine

Calcium Antagonist · Calcium antagonist

Indications

Hypertension. Prophylaxis of chronic stable angina.

Dosage

Adults: Hypertension: Initially 5 mg once daily in the morning, maintenance 5-10 mg once daily; max 20 mg daily. Elderly: Initially 2.5 mg once daily in the morning, increased if required to 10 mg once daily. Prophylaxis of angina: Initially 5 mg once daily in the morning, maintenance 10 mg once daily; max 10 mg once daily. Elderly: Initially 2.5 mg daily in the morning, maintenance 5-10 mg once daily. Children: Not recommended.

Adverse Effects

Ankle oedema, dizziness, fatigue, headache, flushing, palpitations, rash, mild gingival enlargement, vomiting. Aggravation of angina.

Risk Factor (Pregnancy/Lactation)

Pregnancy: Contraindicated in pregnancy. Lactation: Caution advised or effect undetermined. Contraindications: Unstable angina, aortic stenosis, within 1 month of MI, cardiogenic shock, uncompensated heart failure, dynamic cardiac outflow obstruction, significant cardiac valvular obstruction. Precautions: Severe left ventricular dysfunction. Hepatic impairment. Risk of tachycardia.

Interactions

Cimetidine, erythromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, grape fruit juice, other inducers or inhibitors of CYP3A4, protease inhibitors, rifampicin, tacrolimus.

Advice to Patient

Take with a light meal or without meals. Do not chew or crush tablets, swallow whole. Contact prescriber if there is unrelieved headache; dizziness; vomiting; constipation; arm, leg or facial swelling; weight gain >5 lb per week; chest pain; palpitations or difficulty in breathing. Regularly check blood pressure and pulse rate. Avoid grapefruit juice during therapy. Maintain good oral hygiene, perform gum massage and visit a dentist every 6 months.

Pharmacokinetics

Onset of action: Antihypertensive: 2-5 hrs. Duration of antihypertensive effect: 24 hrs. Absorption: 100%; Absolute: 20% due to first-pass effect. Metabolism: Hepatic; extensive first-pass effect. Half-life elimination: Immediate release: 11-16 hrs. Time to peak: 2.5-5 hrs. Excretion: Urine (70%). Faeces (10%).

Brands with this active ingredient

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

Always consult a pharmacist or doctor.