Plendil (Felodipine)

General information

Plendil is known as a calcium channel blocker. By blocking calcium, this medication relaxes and widens blood vessels so blood can flow more easily. It is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. This medication may also be used to prevent chest pain (angina).

Directions

Take Plendil exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The recommended adult dose ranges from 2.5 mg to 10 mg once daily, taken with or without food. The tablets should not be taken with a meal that is high in carbohydrates or fat. The recommended starting dose for treating high blood pressure (hypertension) is 5 mg once daily. Your doctor may increase your dose up to 10 mg daily (if your blood pressure is not under control) or decrease your dose to 2.5 mg daily. Elderly people or people who have liver problems should start at a lower dosage.

Precautions

Before taking Plendil you should talk with your doctor if you have congestive heart failure, liver disease, cirrhosis, liver failure, swelling of the arms and legs (edema), any allergies. This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive or perform tasks that require alertness. Limit alcoholic beverages. Alcohol may further lower blood pressure and increase drowsiness or dizziness. Grapefruit juice can increase blood levels of felodipine. Avoid drinking grapefruit juice or eating grapefruit. Seniors may be more sensitive to the adverse effects.

Contraindications

You should not take Plendil if you are allergic to felodipine or any of the ingredients of the medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, have very low blood pressure.

Possible side effect

Get emergency medical help if you have dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, flushing, or stomach upset, swelling of the hands, ankles, feet (edema), fast or irregular heartbeat, fainting, rash, itching, swelling of the face, tongue, throat, trouble breathing, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), tiredness, insomnia, nausea, diarrhea, muscle or joint discomfort, increased or difficult urination. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor.

Drug interactions

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially: beta blockers (betaxolol, propranolol, metoprolol), antibiotics or antifungals (ketoconazole, telithromycin, erythromycin, clarithromycin), seizure medications (oxcarbazepine, topiramate, phenytoin, carbamazepine), protease inhibitors (atazanavir, indinavir, ritonavir, amprenavir), cimetidine, imatinib, nefazodone, delavirdine. Interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Tell your doctor about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking.

Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as possible. Skip the missed dose if it is time for your next scheduled dose. Don't take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

If you think you have overdosed the medicine seek emergency medical help at once. The overdose symptoms are dizziness, weakness, chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, fast or slow heartbeat, coma, slurred speech, and confusion.

Storage

Store the medicine at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store the drugs in the bathroom. Keep all drugs away from reach of children and pets.

Note

The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.