felodipine (Plendil)

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)
• 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. Dilation of arteries reduces blood pressure. It has little or no effect on the muscles of veins or the heart.

What brand names are available for felodipine?

Plendil is the brand name available for this drug in the US.

• Felodipine is used to treat high blood pressure to prevent heart attacks and strokes. It may be used alone or in combination with other drugs.
• It also is used to treat patients with angina although it is not FDA approved for this use.

The most common side effects reported by patients include:

• Peripheral edema (swollen ankles and feet)
• Headache
• Flushing
• Dizziness
• Increased heart rate
• Low blood pressure

Other important side effects include:

• Overgrowth of gums
• Rash
• Frequent urination
• Skin eruptions
• Palpitations
• Upper respiratory tract reactions
• Fainting

• The recommended dose of felodipine is 2.5-10 mg once daily.
• It should be taken without food or with no more than a light meal since food may reduce its absorption.
• Since felodipine comes as a sustained-release tablet, it should be swallowed whole. It should not be chewed or crushed.

• Cimetidine (Tagamet), ketoconazole (Nizoral, Extina, Xolegel, Kuric), itraconazole (Sporanox), and erythromycin 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.
• Taking felodipine with grapefruit juice increases its absorption and may lead to sudden drops in blood pressure.
• Felodipine may increase blood concentrations of tacrolimus (Prograf). Tacrolimus blood concentrations should be monitored and the dose should be modified as necessary.

• There aren't any adequate studies on the effects of felodipine in ppregnant women. Animal studies have shown adverse effects. Therefore, your doctor or health care professional must weigh the potential risks to the fetus against the potential benefits to the you.
• We don't know if felodipine is excreted in breast milk.

• It's available as tablets (extended Release) in 2.5, 5, and 10 mg

• You should keep the tablets stored below 86 F (30 C) and protect them from light and moisture.
• Felodipine was approved by the FDA in 1991.