Nifedipine

• The dose of nifedipine will be different for different people. Your healthcare provider will tell you which dose is right for you.  
• Always take your nifedipine exactly as your healthcare provider has told you. The pharmacy label on your medicine will tell you how much nifedipine to take, how often to take it, and any special instructions.

• Timing: Nifedipine tablets are usually taken once or twice a day. Try taking your nifedipine dose at the same times each day.  For doses that are taken 2 times a day, take it once in the morning and once in the evening. Ideally, these times should be 12 hours apart, for example, 8 am and 8 pm.
• Nifedipine is very sensitive to light: So take your tablet as soon as you take it out of the packet.
• Food: You can take nifedipine with or without food.
• Swallow your tablet whole with a glass of water: Don't break, crush or chew the tablets, as this releases all the medicine at once and increases your chance of side effects. 
• Missed dose: If you forget your dose, take it as soon as you remember. But, if it's nearly time for your next dose, just take the next dose at the usual time. Don't take double the dose. If you have trouble remembering when to take your medicines you might find a medication reminder app helpful.

Here are some things to know when you're taking nifedipine. Other things may be important as well, so ask your healthcare provider what you should know about.

• Other medicines: Nifedipine interacts with some medicines (eg, carbamazepine, fluoxetine), herbal supplements (eg, St John’s wort) and rongoā Māori, so check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting nifedipine and before starting any new products.
• Anti-inflammatories: Also check with your pharmacist before taking any over-the-counter anti-inflammatories such as diclofenac (eg, Voltaren Rapid) or ibuprofen (eg, Nurofen). These can also be found in cold and flu medicines.
• Alcohol: Limit alcohol while you’re taking nifedipine. It can increase your chance of side effects such as feeling dizzy.
• Driving: Nifedipine can make you feel tired and dizzy. Be careful when driving or using tools until you know how this medicine affects you.
• Keep taking nifedipine regularly: Treatment with nifedipine is usually long term. You should continue to take it unless you're advised by your doctor to stop. 
• Don't stop taking nifedipine suddenly: Talk to your doctor before stopping. You may need to stop taking nifedipine slowly to avoid symptoms coming back.
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding: Talk to your healthcare provider if you're pregnant, planning a pregnancy or want to breastfeed.
• Grapefruit, grapefruit juice or sour/Seville oranges: Avoid grapefruit, grapefruit juice or foods containing grapefruit while taking nifedipine. It can increase your chance of side effects. Read more about grapefruit and medicines(external link).
• Monitoring: You will have your blood pressure checked and blood tests to check how well your liver is working.

Like all medicines nifedipine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Often side effects improve as your body gets used to the new medicine.

Read more about medicines and side effects and reporting a reaction you think might be a side effect.