CLASS and MECHANISM of Action
Generic Adalat is a calcium-channel blocker. It affects the amount of calcium found in your heart and muscle cells. Calcium is vital for the proper functioning of certain cells in the body. A blocker prevents calcium entering a cell and so changes the way it works. Generic Adalat reduces attacks of chest pain (angina). Remember: it is not a cure.
Active Ingredients: Nifedipine
Inactive Ingredients: crospovidone, microcrystalline cellulose, silicon dioxide, and magnesium stearate, hydroxypropylcellulose, lactose, corn starch.
What is Generic Adalat PRESCRIBED For?
Generic Adalat is used for the treatment and prevention of angina resulting from coronary artery spasm as well as from exertion. Chest pain (angina) occurs because of insufficient oxygen delivered to the heart muscles. Insufficient oxygen may be a result of coronary artery blockage or spasm, or because of physical exertion, which increases heart oxygen demand in a patient with coronary artery narrowing.
Generic Adalat is also used in the treatment of high blood pressure. It can be used to open the blood vessels which spasm, causing Raynaud's phenomenon.
How Should I Take Generic Adalat?
Generic Adalat should be taken by mouth, without food or 1-2 hours after a meal. The tablet should be swallowed whole, not bitten or divided. Generic Adalat should NOT be taken with grapefruit juice or grapefruit. Generic Adalat is taken usually once daily. Take your doses at regular intervals.
Each patient is individual; therefore dosage should be adjusted according to each patient’s needs. The usual maintenance dose is 30 mg to 60 mg once daily. Elderly patients over 65 years old may have a stronger reaction to this medicine and need smaller doses.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 25 degrees C (59 and 77degrees F)
Avoid light and moisture.
Throw away the medication if is outdated or no longer needed.
What are the CONTRAINDICATIONS for taking Generic Adalat?
Your health care professional should know about all prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially cimetidine (Tagamet); fentanyl (Duragesic); heart and blood pressure medications like beta-blockers, digoxin (Lanoxin), warfarin (Coumadin), and quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex); phenytoin (Dilantin); ranitidine (Zantac); and vitamins. - tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart, liver, or kidney disease.
Generic Adalat is contraindicated to patients that are allergic to Generic Adalat or any other drugs.
Women that are pregnant or plan to be pregnant should consult the doctor before taken Generic Adalat. It is contraindicated to women that are breast-feeding.
If you plan surgery, including dental surgery, your health care professional or dentist should be notified that you are taking Generic Adalat.
What Happens if I MISS A DOSE?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose.
Note: Do not take double or extra doses.
What happens if I OVERDOSE?
If you took Generic Adalat in excess, then it can have serious consequences. If you suspect an overdose with Generic Adalat, seek medical attention immediately.
What are the possible SIDE EFFECTS of Generic Adalat?
Side effects of Generic Adalat are generally mild, and reversible. Most side effects are expected consequences of the dilation of the arteries. The most common side effects of Generic Adalat include flushing and weakness, headache or tiredness.
If you observed that you have one of the below side effects contact your health care professional immediately:
- dizziness;
- nausea;
- constipation;
- fast heartbeat, palpitations, irregular heartbeat, chest pain;
- difficulty breathing;
- fainting spells, lightheadedness;
- blood in the urine;
- swelling of the legs and ankles;
- reduced amount of urine passed;
- redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth;
- skin rash;
What other drugs can INTERACT with Generic Adalat?
Before using this medication, tell your healthe care professional of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: magnesium sulfate, digoxin, fentanyl, drugs affecting liver enzymes that remove nifedipine from your body (azole antifungals including itraconazole, barbiturates including phenobarbital, cimetidine, cisapride, diltiazem, fluoxetine, HIV protease inhibitors including indinavir, macrolide antibiotics including erythromycin, nefazodone, quinupristin/dalfopristin, rifamycins including rifampin, St. Johns wort, certain anti-seizure medicines including carbamazepine/valproic acid, tacrolimus), alpha-blockers (e.g., doxazosin), warfarin, metformin, melatonin, phenytoin, quinidine, beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol, metoprolol).
Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products, diet aids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-NSAIDs for pain/fever reduction) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your blood pressure or heart rate (e.g., pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine, clemastine, ibuprofen, naproxen). Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.
Additional Information
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Keep container tightly closed and protect from moisture and humidity.
Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
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