PROCARDIA (NIFEDIPINE)

Procardia Description

Hypertension can take people by surprise when they get the diagnosis during a routine physical exam because there are no warning signs unless your hypertension is severe and you could experience headaches, nausea, and vomiting.

If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure (hypertension) or angina, your doctor may recommend a prescription for Procardia. Lowering your blood pressure will reduce other health risks, such as a heart attack, stroke, or kidney disease. You can also help Procardia do its job with a few lifestyle changes, such as becoming more active, eating healthier by cutting back on your carbs, protein, and fat intake, and your doctor can recommend a cessation program to help you give up smoking.

How This Calcium Channel Blocker Works

Procardia or generic Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker drug that limits how much calcium enters your heart and blood vessels. Because calcium promotes contractions in muscle cells, taking Procardia to relax these contractions allows for a better blood flow. By reducing your heart’s workload, you blood pressure lowers as your arteries are now relaxed. This also helps prevent the chest pains of angina attacks in those that have coronary artery disease (CAD). The generic alternative is not manufactured by the company that makes the brand product.

Conditions Treated by Procardia

According to today’s standards, if your blood pressure is 130 over 90; you have hypertension. The first number is the systolic measurement which tells you the pressure of your blood against your artery walls as your heart has just finished pumping. Normal reading is 120 or below. The diastolic measurement is the second number that indicates the pressure of blood against your artery walls between heartbeats. Normal reading is below 80. If your readings are too low, you are hypotensive.

Procardia may also be prescribed to treat Raynaud’s disease, a condition which causes areas of the body, such as the fingers and toes, to feel cold and numb in response to stress or cold temperatures. Smaller arteries that supply blood to your skin narrow and limit blood circulation to the affected areas. Procardia can help to widen those blood vessels and promote circulation.

Before You Take Procardia

Inform your physician of other health concerns you have and list any OTC and Rx medications you are taking, including homeopathic remedies and vitamin or dietary supplements as any of these could change how Procardia will work in your body. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breast-feeding while taking Procardia as there may be a risk to your unborn or nursing baby.

Proper Use of Procardia

You should not take Procardia if you have severe coronary disease or if you have had a heart attack in the past two weeks. Keep all medications out of children’s sight and reach and never share any drugs with anyone else.

Possible Side Effects of Procardia

• Redness or flushing
• Mood changes
• Burping
• Dizziness
• muscle cramps