Adalat CC

Generic name: Nifedipine
Drug class: Calcium channel blocking agents

Usage of Adalat CC

Adalat CC belongs to a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers. It works by relaxing the muscles of your heart and blood vessels.

Adalat CC is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) or angina (chest pain).

Adalat CC may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Adalat CC side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Adalat CC (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Call your doctor at once if you have:

worsening chest pain;

pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

swelling in your hands or lower legs; or

upper stomach pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

You may have more severe or more frequent episodes of angina when you first start taking Adalat CC or whenever your dose is changed.

Common Adalat CC side effects may include:

swelling;

flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);

headache, dizziness;

nausea, heartburn; or

feeling weak or tired.

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.

Before taking Adalat CC

You should not use Adalat CC if you are allergic to nifedipine. You may not be able to use nifedipine if your heart cannot pump blood properly.

Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with Adalat CC. Your doctor may change your treatment plan if you also use:

St. John's wort;

an antibiotic - rifabutin, rifampin; or

seizure medicine - carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin.

To make sure Adalat CC is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

a heart attack;

very low blood pressure;

severe narrowing of the aortic valve in your heart (aortic stenosis);

congestive heart failure;

cirrhosis or other liver disease;

kidney disease; or

diabetes.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

You should not breastfeed while using nifedipine.

Adalat CC is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

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How to use Adalat CC

Take Adalat CC exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.

Swallow the tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break the tablet.

Take the extended-release tablet on an empty stomach.

Your dose needs may change if you switch to a different brand, strength, or form of nifedipine. Avoid medication errors by using only the form and strength your doctor prescribes.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often and you may need other medical tests.

Keep using this medicine even if you feel well. Use all your heart or blood pressure medications as directed and read all medication guides you receive. Do not change your dose or stop taking your medicine without your doctor's advice.

You may have very low blood pressure while taking this medication. Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using Adalat CC. You may need to stop using the medicine at least 36 hours before surgery.

Some tablets are made with a shell that is not absorbed or melted in the body. Part of this shell may appear in your stool. This is normal and will not make the medicine less effective.

Store in the original container at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light.

Warnings

You may not be able to use Adalat CC if your heart cannot pump blood properly, or if you also take rifampin.

You should not use Adalat CC if you have severe coronary artery disease, or if you have had a heart attack within the past 2 weeks.

Before taking Adalat CC, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, a blockage in your digestive tract (stomach or intestines), a history of stomach surgery, coronary artery disease, underactive thyroid, diabetes, or congestive heart failure.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Do not stop taking Adalat CC without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel fine. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

What other drugs will affect Adalat CC

If you have been using a beta-blocker medication (such as atenolol, carvedilol, metoprolol, propranolol, sotalol, and others), you should not stop using it suddenly. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose. Stopping a beta-blocker too quickly can cause serious heart problems that will not be prevented by Adalat CC.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially other heart or blood pressure medications.

When you start or stop taking other medications, your doctor may need to adjust your nifedipine dose. 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 interact with nifedipine, and some drugs should not be used at the same time. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.

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