Generic name: felodipine (fe LOE di peen)
Brand name: Plendil
Dosage forms: oral tablet, extended release (10 mg; 2.5 mg; 5 mg)
Felodipine is a calcium channel blocker that is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) in adults. Lowering blood pressure can help lower your risk of a stroke or heart attack.
Felodipine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use felodipine if you are allergic to it.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- liver disease; or
- congestive heart failure.
Felodipine may harm an unborn baby or cause problems with labor and delivery. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
You should not breast-feed while using felodipine.
Felodipine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
How should I take felodipine?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
You may take felodipine with or without food, but take it the same way each time.
Swallow the tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break it.
Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.
You may also need to take other medications, exercise, limit salt intake, stop smoking, and manage other conditions such as diabetes or heart disease. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.
Use all medications as directed and read all medication guides you receive. Do not change your dose or dosing schedule without your doctor's advice.
Some things can cause your blood pressure to get too low. This includes vomiting, diarrhea, or heavy sweating. Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea.
Keep using felodipine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include slow heartbeats, warmth or tingling, and feeling like you might pass out.
What should I avoid while taking felodipine?
Drinking alcohol can lower your blood pressure further and may increase certain side effects of felodipine.
Grapefruit may interact with felodipine and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products.
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.
Felodipine side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
- chest pain;
- feeling short of breath; or
- swelling or rapid weight gain.
Felodipine can cause mild gum swelling. Pay special attention to your dental hygiene while taking felodipine. Brush and floss your teeth regularly.
Common side effects may include:
- swelling in your arms, hands, legs, or feet;
- headache; or
- flushing (sudden warmth, redness, or tingly feeling).
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Felodipine dosing information
Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:
Initial dose: 5 mg orally once a day
Maintenance dose: 2.5 to 10 mg orally once a day
Comments: If needed, dose adjustments should generally occur at intervals of at least 2 weeks.
Usual Geriatric Dose for Hypertension:
Initial dose: 2.5 to 5 mg orally once a day
Maintenance dose: 2.5 to 10 mg orally once a day
Comments: If needed, dose adjustments should generally occur at intervals of at least 2 weeks.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Hypertension:
(Not approved by FDA)
NIH and NHLBI recommendations:
1 year or older:
Initial dose: 2.5 mg orally once a day
Maintenance dose: 2.5 to 10 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 10 mg/day
What other drugs will affect felodipine?
Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.
Many drugs can affect felodipine. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.