What is felodipine?
Felodipine is in a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers. Felodipine relaxes (widens)
your blood vessels (veins and arteries), which makes it easier for the heart to pump and reduces its
workload.
Felodipine is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).
Felodipine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking felodipine?
Before taking felodipine, tell your doctor if you have
-
liver disease; or
-
another disease of the heart or blood vessels such as sick
sinus syndrome, aortic stenosis, heart failure, low blood pressure, or coronary artery disease.
You may not be able to take felodipine, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Felodipine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether
felodipine will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your
doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether felodipine passes into breast milk. Do not take felodipine without
first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
If you are over 65 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from
felodipine. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of this medication.
How should I take felodipine?
Take felodipine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions,
ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Take each dose consistently either without food or with a light meal.
Do not crush, chew, or break the tablets. Swallow them whole.
Do not stop taking felodipine without first talking to your doctor, even if you begin to feel
better. If you stop taking the medication, your condition could become worse.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with felodipine. The interaction could lead to
potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor. Do not
increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.
Brush and floss your teeth regularly as directed by your dentist. Rarely, swelling of the gums
may be a side effect from treatment with felodipine. Proper oral hygiene may alleviate these symptoms.
Store felodipine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of felodipine?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose,
skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose.
Do not
take a
double dose of this medication.
Where can I get more information about felodipine?
Your pharmacist has information about felodipine written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of felodipine?
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking felodipine and
contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:
-
an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;
swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
-
unusually fast or slow heartbeat;
-
chest pain;
-
severe dizziness or fainting;
-
abnormal behavior or psychosis;
-
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), or
-
swelling of the legs, ankles, or face.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to
take felodipine and talk to your doctor if you experience
-
fatigue or tiredness;
-
headache;
-
insomnia or difficulty sleeping;
-
swelling of your gums;
-
nausea or diarrhea;
-
increased or difficult urination;
-
muscle or joint discomfort; or
-
flushing (redness).
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about felodipine?
Do not stop taking felodipine without first talking to your doctor, even if you begin to feel
better. If you stop taking the medication, your condition could become worse.
Brush and floss your teeth regularly as directed by your dentist. Rarely, swelling of the gums
may be a side effect from treatment with felodipine. Proper oral hygiene may alleviate these symptoms.
Do not crush, chew, or break the tablets. Swallow them whole.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with felodipine. The interaction could lead to
potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor. Do not
increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.
What should I avoid while taking felodipine?
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with felodipine. The interaction could lead to
potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor. Do not
increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.
Follow any recommendations your doctor makes about diet or exercise.
Use caution when you stand or sit up from a lying position, especially if you wake up during
the night. You may become dizzy when changing positions.
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may further lower blood pressure and increase drowsiness
or dizziness while taking felodipine.
What other drugs will affect felodipine?
Before taking felodipine, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
-
another heart medication to treat the same or another condition;
-
erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Eryc, Ery-Tab, others);
-
itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral);
-
cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB);
-
carbamazepine (Tegretol);
-
phenytoin (Dilantin); or
-
rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane) or rifabutin (Mycobutin).
You may not be able to take felodipine, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with felodipine or affect your condition.
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines,
including herbal products.
What happens if I have an overdose of felodipine?