Nifedipine

What is nifedipine?

Nifedipine is a medicine which belongs to a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers. Nifedipine is used to lower blood pressure. It may also be used for other conditions, such as to prevent migraine headaches.

You may hear nifedipine called by its brand name, Adalat. Nifedipine comes in prolonged-acting tablet, extended-release tablet, and short-acting capsule forms.

Before giving nifedipine to your child

Tell the doctor if your child:

• is allergic to nifedipine or any other calcium channel blocker

Talk with the doctor or pharmacist if your child has any of the following conditions. Precautions may need to be taken with this medicine if your child has:

• congestive heart failure
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• other heart or blood vessel disorders

How should you give your child nifedipine?

Give your child nifedipine for as long as your doctor or pharmacist tells you, even if your child seems better.

Talk to your child's doctor before you stop giving this medicine for any reason.

Give this medicine with or without food. Give it with food if it causes an upset stomach.

If your child is taking the extended-release tablets, they should swallow the tablet whole. Do not break, crush, or chew the extended-release tablets. You may notice the empty tablet shell in your child's stool.

If your child is taking the prolonged-action tablets, you may cut them in half. Your child should not chew or crush the divided tablet.

If your child is using the "bite and swallow" method, they should bite the short-acting capsule to break it open and then swallow everything. This method is used to control unexpected increases in blood pressure. If your child is taking a dose smaller than the strength of the capsule, ask your pharmacist how to prepare the dose.

What should you do if your child misses a dose of nifedipine?

• Give the missed dose as soon as you remember.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Give the next dose at the regular time.
• Do not give your child two doses to make up for one missed dose.

What are the possible side effects of nifedipine?

Your child may have some of these side effects while they take nifedipine. Check with your child's doctor if your child continues to have any of these side effects, and they do not go away, or they bother your child:

• dizziness
• feeling lightheaded or sleepy
• headache
• flushing of the face and a feeling of warmth
• nausea or vomiting
• trouble having a bowel movement (constipation)

Call your child's doctor during office hours is your child has any of these side effects:

• painful, swollen joints
• trouble seeing, or changes in vision
• bleeding, tender, or swollen gums

Most of the following side effects are not common, but they may be a sign of a serious problem.
Call your child's doctor right away or take your child to Emergency if your child has any of these side effects:

• swelling of ankles, feet, or lower legs
• trouble breathing, wheezing
• changes in heartbeat (fast or slow) or pounding heartbeat

What safety measures should you take when your child is using nifedipine?

Keep all appointments at the clinic or doctor's office so that the doctor can check your child's reaction to nifedipine.

There are some medicines that should not be taken together with nifedipine, or in some cases the dose of nifedipine or the other medicine may need to be adjusted. It is important that you tell your doctor and pharmacist if your child takes any other medications (prescription, non-prescription, herbal, or natural products).

Examples of medicines that may interfere with nifedipine, or may increase blood pressure are:

• cough and cold medicines
• asthma medicines
• allergy medicines
• appetite control or diet pills

To help prevent problems with the gums, brush and floss your child's teeth regularly and carefully, and massage the gums. See a dentist regularly to have your child's teeth cleaned.

This medicine may make your child dizzy, tired, or less alert than normal. You should monitor your child's activities until you see how this medicine affects them. Your child's teacher should also know that they are taking medication with these effects.

To help avoid dizziness, your child should get out of bed or get up from a sitting position slowly. Your child should sit down or lie down if they feel dizzy. If this problem continues or gets worse, call your child's doctor.

Do not give your child grapefruit or grapefruit juice. Grapefruit can change the amount of nifedipine in your child's body.

What other important information should you know about nifedipine?

• Keep a list of all medications your child is on and show the list to the doctor or pharmacist.
• Before your child has any medical tests, emergency treatment, or surgery (including dental surgery), tell the doctor or dentist that your child is taking nifedipine.
• Do not share your child's medicine with others. Do not give anyone else's medicine to your child.
• Make sure you always have enough nifedipine to last through weekends, holidays, and vacations. Call your pharmacy at least two days before your child runs out of medicine to order refills.
• Keep nifedipine at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Do NOT store it in the bathroom or kitchen.
• Do not keep any medicines that are out of date. Check with your pharmacist about the best way to throw away outdated or leftover medicines.
  

Keep nifedipine out of your child’s sight and reach and locked up in a safe place. If your child takes too much nifedipine, call your local Poison Information Centre at one of these numbers. These calls are free. 

• Call 1-844 POISON-X, or 1-844-764-7669, from anywhere in Canada except Quebec.
• Call 1-800-463-5060 if you live in Quebec.