Nifedipine

Sounds like 'ni-fed-ih-peen'

Key points about nifedipine

  • Nifedipine is used to treat high blood pressure and to prevent angina (chest pain).
  • It belongs to a group of medicines called calcium channel blockers.
  • Nifedipine is also called Nyefax Retard®.
  • Find out how to take it safely and possible side effects.
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Nifedipine is used in adults to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and to prevent angina (chest pain). It belongs to a group of medicines called calcium-channel blockers.

Nifedipine works by relaxing your blood vessels so blood can flow more easily. This lowers your blood pressure. The improved flow of blood and oxygen to your heart may increase your ability to exercise and help prevent chest pain caused by angina. 

Nifedipine is also used to treat Raynaud's syndrome, a condition that causes painful and cold fingers and toes due to narrowing of the blood vessels in your hands and feet. 

In Aotearoa New Zealand, nifedipine is available in different strengths of slow-release tablets (10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg and 60 mg).  

  • 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.

Side effects What should I do?
  • Tiredness
  • Headache
  • Feeling flushed (red in the face)
  • Nausea (feeling sick)
  • Constipation (hard to poo)
  • These are quite common when you first start taking nifedipine, or when you increase the dose. They usually go away after the first few days.
  • Tell your doctor if these bother you or they continue.
  • Dizziness
  • Feeling lightheaded
  • Feeling faint when you stand up
  • These are common and more likely if you are also taking a beta-blocker medicine.
  • Be careful when getting up from either lying down or sitting to avoid falls. These effects put you at risk of falls and injuries, especially if you're an older adult.
  • Be careful when driving or using tools until you know how this medicine affects you.
  • Avoid drinking alcohol.
  • Tell your doctor if these bother you.
  • Swelling of the hands, legs, ankles or feet
  • This is common.
  • Raise your legs onto a low stool when you're sitting down.
  • Tell your doctor if this bothers you.
  • Worsening chest pain
  • Changes in your heartbeat (either too fast or irregular)
  • Tell your doctor immediately or ring Healthline on 0800 611 116.
  • Signs of problems with your liver (tummy pain, skin and eyes turn a yellow colour, itchy skin)
  • Signs of frequent infections (fever, sore throat)
  • Peeling skin or sores in the mouth
  • These are not common but are serious.
  • Tell your doctor immediately or ring Healthline on 0800 611 116.
  • Signs of an allergic reaction such as skin rashes, itching, swelling of the face, lips, mouth or have problems breathing
  • This is rare.
  • Tell your doctor immediately or ring Healthline on 0800 611 116.


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

Hypertension (Mate pēhanga toto)
Angina
Raynaud's syndrome
Calcium channel blockers

The following links have more information on nifedipine.

Nifedipine(external link) New Zealand Formulary Patient Information
Nyefax Retard(external link) Medsafe Consumer Information 


Brochures

Medicines and side effects(external link) Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ, 2024
5 questions to ask about your medications(external link) Health Quality and Safety Commission, NZ, 2019 English(external link), te reo Māori(external link)


Apps

Medication reminder apps


References

  1. Nifedipine(external link) New Zealand Formulary, NZ
  2. Nyefax Retard(external link) Medsafe datasheet, NZ 
  3. Medical management of stable angina pectoris(external link) BPAC, NZ, 2011
  4. Hypertension in adults – the silent killer(external link) BPAC, NZ, 2023 
  5. Calcium channel blockers and the possible risk of new-onset eczema(external link) Medsafe, NZ, 2024 
  6. Raynaud's phenomenon – a whiter shade to winter's pale(external link) BPAC, NZ, 2011

 

Brochures

Medicines and side effects
Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ, 2024

5 questions to ask about your medications

5 questions to ask about your medications

Health Quality and Safety Commission, NZ, 2019 English, te reo Māori

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Credits: Sandra Ponen, Pharmacist, Healthify He Puna Waiora. Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust.

Reviewed by: Stephanie Yee, Pharmacist, Auckland

Last reviewed:

Read more at: https://healthify.nz/medicines-a-z/n/nifedipine/
Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust