What is Felodipine?
Felodipine is a prescription medicine. It is a calcium channel blocker which is used to treat hypertension.
This in return lowers the risk of heart attack in adults.
It is available in the form of external release. A person can use this medicine in the form of a tablet.
Felodipine can also be found with a brand name of Plendil in the market.
What are the common conditions in which Felodipine prescribed?
Felodipine is prescribed to a person in possible threat of a heart attack or stroke caused by contraction of muscle cells.
It is prescribed to people with high blood pressure.
This medicine works by preventing calcium to enter in muscle cells. Calcium helps muscle cells to contract.
Thus, by preventing calcium to enter muscle cells and then small arteries, Felodipine relaxes the muscles.
This helps the arteries to expand and then reduce blood pressure. This, in return, prevents heart attack.
How should I take Felodipine?
The patient should follow the instruction of the doctor and abide by the dose as per prescribed by the healthcare provider.
Follow the guidelines and track the symptoms as per stated in the guideline card you receive along with the medicine.
You can take Felodipine with or without food. You will need to frequently check your blood pressure and get medical check-ups when you are on medication.
Your doctor may prescribe you a compatible diet plan with this medicine. You might need to limit your salt intake or exercise daily.
Consult your doctor thoroughly about the restraints in food during medication.
Be wary of the expiry date of the medicine. Do not let the medicine be in the open for long. Break the seal and take out the tablet only when you are ready to consume the medicine.
Take the tablet with plenty of water.
You should not abruptly stop taking the medicine. Even if you are cured of your disease, do complete your dose.
Do not change the dose of the medicine as per your will. Consult your doctor before quitting the medicine.
Store the drug away from sunlight, heat, and moisture. Keep it in a cool and dry place.
If you are planning on having any surgery or dental work, talk to your doctor about your medication beforehand.
When you should not take Felodipine?
You should not take Felodipine if you are allergic to it.
You should let your doctor know about your medical history. Certain disease can be triggered again or worsen by use of this drug.
If you have liver disease or Heart problem, your doctor might not advise you this medicine at all.
If you are under 18, this is not the right medicine for you.
Felodipine can cause harm to the unborn baby. So if you are pregnant, you should avoid taking this medicine.
Do not breastfeed your feed while being on medication.
What are the possible side effects of Felodipine?
Watch out for the symptoms of an allergy if you are using Felodipine. If you experience hives, swelling in certain parts of the body or breathing problem, consult the doctor immediately.
Seek medical emergency if you experience:
- Dizziness
- Breathing problem
- Chest pain
- Swelling
- Weight gain
Some side effects may disappear with time while some can stay with you forever. You should take immediate medical attention if you feel there is something wrong with your health.
Common side effects include:
- Headache
- Swelling of gums or any other part of the body
- Flushing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects of using this medicine. You should take care of your health and medical situation while you are using this drug.
What to do if I miss the dose?
If you happen to miss the dose, it takes as soon as you remember. But, do not take it if it is already the time for a second dose.
If you overdose the medicine, seek emergency medical attention.
You can identify overdosing by symptoms such as drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, and seizure.
Common Drug Interaction with Felodipine.
Drug to drug interaction can be fatal for the body. Some drugs can slow down the process of medication or completely hamper it.
In fact, some interaction can cause serious injury to your body as well.
You should be cautious of the medicine you use together.
Tell your doctor about your past medicines and any pre-existing injury or disease.
Herbal medicines, vitamins, and supplements are most likely to interact with any drug. So, be wary of such occasions where you use these medicines together.
Bottom Line
Felodipine is used to treat high blood pressure so that the patient can avoid possible risks of heart attack of stroke.
This drug is a potential calcium channel blocker.
The patient should be cautious of the possible overdose and side effects of using this drug.
Consult your doctor immediately if you feel something unusual in your body.
