nisoldipine

Before taking nisoldipine, tell your doctor if you have

• kidney disease;

• 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 nisoldipine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Nisoldipine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether nisoldipine 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 nisoldipine passes into breast milk or how it may affect a nursing infant. Do not take nisoldipine 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 nisoldipine. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of this medication.

Take nisoldipine 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.

Nisoldipine is usually taken once a day. Follow your doctor’s instructions.

Do not take nisoldipine with fatty foods. Fatty foods may increase the amount of nisoldipine in the blood to unsafe levels.

Do not consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment with nisoldipine. Nisoldipine can interact with grapefruit and grapefruit juice, and the interaction may have dangerous effects. You should discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor.

Do not crush, chew, or break the tablets. Swallow them whole. They are specially formulated to release the medication slowly in the body.

Do not stop taking nisoldipine without first talking to your doctor, even if you begin to feel better. If you stop taking the medication, your condition could become worse.

Store nisoldipine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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.

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking nisoldipine 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 heartbeats;

• fainting or severe dizziness;

• abnormal behavior or psychosis;

• chest pain or worsening angina;

• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

• swelling of the legs or ankles.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take nisoldipine and talk to your doctor if you experience

• unusual headache, fatigue, or tiredness;

• insomnia;

• vivid or abnormal dreams;

• increased or difficult urination;

• mild dizziness;

• flushing;

• a rash; or

• nausea.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Do not stop taking nisoldipine without first talking to your doctor, even if you begin to feel better. If you stop taking the medication, your condition could become worse.

Do not crush, chew, or break the tablets. Swallow them whole. They are specially formulated to release the medication slowly in the body.

Do not consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment with nisoldipine. Nisoldipine can interact with grapefruit and grapefruit juice, and the interaction may have dangerous effects. You should discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor.

Do not take nisoldipine with fatty foods. Fatty foods may increase the amount of nisoldipine in the blood to unsafe levels.

Do not take nisoldipine with fatty foods. Fatty foods may increase the amount of nisoldipine in the blood to unsafe levels.

Do not consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment with nisoldipine. Nisoldipine can interact with grapefruit and grapefruit juice, and the interaction may have dangerous effects. You should discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with 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 nisoldipine.

Before taking nisoldipine, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:

• another heart medication to treat the same or another condition;

• cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB);

• erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Eryc, Ery-Tab, others);

• itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral);

• carbamazepine (Tegretol);

• phenytoin (Dilantin); or

• rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane) or rifabutin (Mycobutin).

You may not be able to take nisoldipine, 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 nisoldipine or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a nisoldipine overdose are unknown, but might include dizziness, weakness, chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, an unusually fast or slow heartbeat, coma, slurred speech, and confusion.