Procardia
 
What is Procardia and why is it prescribed?
Procardia and Procardia XL are used to treat angina. Procardia XL is also used to treat high blood pressure. Procardia and Procardia XL are calcium channel blockers. They ease the workload of the heart by relaxing the muscles in the walls of the arteries, allowing them to dilate. This improves blood flow through the heart and throughout the body, reduces blood pressure, and helps prevent angina. Procardia XL is taken once a day and provides a steady rate of medication over a 24-hour period. If you have high blood pressure, you must take Procardia XL regularly for it to be effective. Procardia XL does not cure high blood pressure but it keeps it under control.

How should you take Procardia?
Follow your doctors directions for taking Procardia. Procardia and Procardia XL should be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor, even if your symptoms have disappeared. Procardia XL tablets are specially designed to release the medication into your bloodstream slowly. As a result, something that looks like a tablet may occasionally appear in your stool. This is normal and simply means that the medication has been released, and the shell that contained the medication has been eliminated from your body. Procardia and Procardia XL tablets should be swallowed whole. Do not break, crush, or chew. Procardia and Procardia XL can be taken with or without food. Do not substitute another brand of nifedipine for Procardia or Procardia XL unless your doctor directs. Procardia XL should be taken once a day. You can take it in the morning or evening, but should hold to the same time each day. If you miss a dose take the forgotten dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed. Never take two doses at the same time. Procardia and Procardia XL can be stored at room temperature. Protect from moisture, light, humidity, and excessive heat.

Are there any Procardia side effects?
Procardia side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. More common Procardia side effects may include constipation, cough, dizziness, fatigue, flushing, giddiness, headache, heartburn, heat sensation, light-headedness, mood changes, muscle cramps, nasal congestion, nausea, sore throat, swelling of arms, legs, hands, and feet, tremors, and wheezing. Less common Procardia side effects may include abdominal pain, blurred vision, chest congestion, chills, cramps, diarrhea, difficult or labored breathing, difficulty in balance, difficulty sleeping, drowsiness, dry cough, dry mouth, excessive sweating, fever, fluttering heartbeat, gas, general chest pain, hives, impotence, indigestion, itching, jitteriness, joint pain, leg cramps, muscle and bone inflammation, nervousness, pain, production of large amounts of pale urine, rash, sexual difficulties, shakiness, shortness of breath, skin inflammation, sleep disturbances, sleepiness, stiff joints, tingling or pins and needles, and weakness. Rare Procardia side effects may include abnormal or terrifying dreams, anemia, anxiety, arthritis, back pain, belching, blood in the urine, breast development in males, breast pain, breathing disorders, dark stools containing blood, decreased sex drive, depression, distorted taste, dulled sense of touch, excessive urination at night, facial swelling, fainting, fever, gout, gum overgrowth, hair loss, hepatitis, hives, hot flashes, increased angina, increased sweating, inflammation of the sinuses, inflamed and peeling skin, and other skin disorders, irregular heartbeat, male fertility problems, migraine, muscle incoordination, muscle pain, muscle tension, nosebleeds, painful or difficult urination, paranoia, rapid heartbeat, reddish or purplish spots under the skin, ringing in the ears, sensitivity to light, swelling around the eyes or mouth and throat with breathing difficulty, tearing eyes, temporary blindness, upper respiratory tract infection, vague feeling of illness, vertigo, vision changes, vomiting, and weight gain.

What are the possible food and drug interactions when taking Procardia?
If Procardia is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Be sure to inform your doctor of all the prescription and over the counter medications you are taking. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Procardia with Cimetidine (Tagamet), Digoxin (Lanoxin), or Quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex). Taking Procardia with grapefruit juice can dramatically increase the effect of the drug. Do not combine the two.

Are there any special warnings about Procardia?
Procardia and Procardia XL may cause your blood pressure to become too low, which may make you feel light-headed or faint. This is more likely to happen when you start taking the medication and when the amount you take is increased. It is also more likely to occur if you are also taking a beta-blocker heart medication such as Tenormin or Inderal. Your doctor should check your blood pressure when you start taking Procardia or Procardia XL and continue monitoring it while your dosage is being adjusted. Procardia XL can be used for high blood pressure; plain Procardia should be used only for angina, not for high blood pressure. Do not take Procardia for the first week or two following a heart attack, or if you are in danger of a heart attack. There is a remote possibility of experiencing increased angina when you start taking Procardia or Procardia XL, or when your dosage is increased. If this happens, contact your doctor immediately. You may have angina pain if you suddenly stop taking beta blockers when beginning Procardia therapy. Your doctor will taper you off the other drug. If you have tight aortic stenosis (a narrowing of the aortic valve that obstructs blood flow from the heart to the body) and have been taking a beta blocker, your doctor will monitor you carefully while you are taking Procardia or Procardia XL. If you develop swelling of the arms, hands, legs, and feet, your doctor can prescribe a diuretic (water pill) to relieve the problem. Procardia XL should be used cautiously if you have any stomach or intestinal narrowing. Notify your doctor or dentist that you are taking Procardia if you have a medical emergency, and before you have surgery or dental treatment. Procardia is not recommended for use in children.
 

Information on this website is provided for educational purposes and should not replace discussions with your doctor.
 

Copyright 2008 MyMedications.net. All rights reserved.