Medications and Drugs
GENERIC NAME: felodipine
BRAND NAME: Plendil
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Felodipine is an oral calcium-
channel
blocker (CCB) of the dihydropyridine (DHP) class. Other calcium
channel
blockers in the DHP class include nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat),
amlodipine (Norvasc), nisoldipine (Sular), nicardipine (Cardene), and
isradipine (Dynacirc). Calcium is necessary for muscle cells to
contract. Felodipine prevents calcium from being released within the
muscle cells of the small arteries and thereby causes the muscles to
relax and the arteries to dilate or expand. Felodipine has little or
no effect on the muscles of veins or the heart . Felodipine was
approved by the FDA in 1991.
GENERIC AVAILABLE: no
PRESCRIPTION: yes
PREPARATIONS: Tablets: 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg
STORAGE: Tablets should be stored below 86°F
(30°C) and should be protected from light and moisture.
PRESCRIBED FOR: Felodipine is used to treat high blood
pressure.
It may be used alone or in combination with other agents. Felodipine
also is used to treat patients with angina and is being studied in
patients
with congestive heart failure.
DOSING: Felodipine usually is taken once daily. It should
be
taken without food or with no more than a light meal since food may
reduce its absorption. Taking felodipine with grapefruit
juice increases its absorption and may lead to sudden drops in blood
pressure. Since felodipine comes as a sustained-release tablet, it
should
be swallowed whole. It should not be chewed or crushed.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Blood levels of digoxin
(Lanoxin) can
be
increased by felodipine. This could lead to digoxin-related side
effects, such as
vision changes.
Cimetidine (Tagamet) can block the breakdown of felodipine, resulting
in
higher blood concentrations of felodipine and drops in blood pressure.
Carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital, or phenytoin (Dilantin) can
lower
felodipine blood concentrations. Therefore, higher doses of
felodipine may
be necessary in patients receiving these medications.
PREGNANCY: The effects of felodipine in pregnant women have
not
been adequately studied. Animal studies have shown adverse effects.
Therefore, the physician must weigh the potential risks to the fetus
against
the potential benefits to the mother.
NURSING MOTHERS: It is not known if felodipine is excreted
in
breast milk.
SIDE EFFECTS: Peripheral edema (swollen ankles and feet)
and
headache are the most common side effects of felodipine. Dizziness
also may
occur.
Reference: FDA Prescribing Information
Last Editorial Review: 4/4/1999
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
- Drug Interactions - Learn about potential drug interactions you may be exposed to. Drug interactions can occur with prescription drugs, OTC medication, vitamins, herbs, and supplements.
- High Blood Pressure Treatment - Read about high blood pressure treatments including calcium channel blockers, beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, diuretics, and clonidine (Catapres).
- Calcium Channel Blockers - Establishes the medication calcium channel blockers (CCBs), which are drugs used for treating high blood pressure, angina, and abnormal heart rhythms like atrial fibrillation.
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