Felodipine ER

What is Felodipine?

Felodipine is in a class of medications known as calcium channel blockers, which block the effect of calcium on the heart and blood vessels.  It is primarily prescribed for treatment of high blood pressure, although in combination with other medications, it can also help treat patients with heart failure.  Calcium channel blockers are also called calcium channel antagonists.

How does Felodipine work?

Felodipine blocks the effect of calcium on the heart and blood vessels. This, in turn, decreases the force of contraction of the heart, slows electrical conduction within the heart, and relaxes and dilates the arteries. When the smooth muscle in blood vessels (arteries) relaxes, the vessels widen, blood flows more easily, and pressure in the blood vessels is reduced, hence the reduction in overall blood pressure.  

Active ingredients

The active ingredient in this medication is felodipine.

Inactive ingredients

The inactive ingredients in this medication include: hydroxypropyl cellulose, sodium stearyl fumarate, lactose, yellow iron oxide, FD&C Blue #2, titanium dioxide, yellow iron oxide and other ingredients.

Please note: inactive ingredients can vary between different generic manufacturers of Felodipine.

Which ingredients can cause an allergic reaction?

While it is possible to be allergic to felodipine, it is rare. You should seek emergency medical attention if you notice: a rash, wheezing, chest tightness, difficulty breathing and swelling of the face/lips/eyes. If you have previously had an allergic reaction from felodipine, you should let your prescribing doctor know and refrain from taking this medication again.

How is Felodipine prescribed?

Felodipine comes in 2.5mg, 5mg and 10mg tablets. It is taken orally once a day, as prescribed. Typically, 5mg (once daily) is prescribed initially. The dosage should be adjusted as needed by your doctor at 2 week intervals.  The maximum recommended dosage is 10mg once daily. Felodipine is indicated for treatment of adults only and is not recommended for children.

Felodipine should ideally be taken on an empty stomach, but if you are experiencing an upset stomach, it is a good idea to take it with a light meal. Otherwise, always take Felodipine as prescribed by you doctor, which will take into account the specifics of your condition and your previous response to treatment.

Felodipine should be taken at the same time each day and must be used consistently to maximize its benefits. 

Note: The drug should not be chewed or crushed. Rather, each Felodipine pill should be swallowed whole. It is an extended-release tablet, so crushing or chewing it will release the entire drug into the system at once. This consequently increases the risk of experiencing an adverse effect. Do not use the drug only when symptoms (such as chest pain or a headache) occur. Using the medication in this manner is ineffective.

Lifestyle changes with Felodipine

If you are prescribed this medication, you should avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice. You should also avoid other fruits related to grapefruit, including bitter oranges, pomelos, tangelos, and Seville oranges. Grapefruit can increase the amount of Felodipine in the bloodstream, which can in effect, increase your medication dose when you don’t intend to. Contact your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

How to stop taking Felodipine

As most individuals who have high blood pressure do not have any symptoms, Felodipine should be taken regularly regardless of how you might feel.  Do not stop taking Felodipine unless instructed to do so by your doctor.  Occasionally, stopping Felodipine may require a gradual reduction in the dose rather than abrupt discontinuation.  Your doctor will decide if you need to be tapered off the medication. 

What should I do if I forget a dose of Felodipine?

If you forget to take a scheduled dose of Felodipine, take it as soon as you remember. However, if you are 6 hours or less from your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the regularly scheduled time.  Do not take an extra pill to make up for the dose you missed.  

What should I do if I use an overdose of Felodipine?

If you believe you have overdosed on Felodipine, seek immediate medical attention. In addition to seeking medical attention, you can call the Poison Help Line at (800)-222-1222.

Signs of a Felodipine overdose may include dizziness, a slow heart rate, tingling sensations in your limbs, redness or flushing of the face, arms, neck and occasionally, upper chest. 

Felodipine side effects

Several side effects can come up with the use of this medication and they have been classified in this section.

Common side effects

• Headaches
• Retention of fluid in the limbs

Uncommon side effects

• Chest pain
• Faster heartbeat
• Hives (an allergic reaction manifested by inflammation of the skin)
• Dizziness
• Nausea (a condition whereby the individual feels like throwing up)
• Numbness and tingling sensation
• Redness or flushing of the face and neck
• Muscle cramps
• Cough
• Insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
• Erectile dysfunction
• Joint pain
• Frequent urination
• Blurred vision
• Flu-like symptoms

Rare side effects

The following side effects are always considered severe when they occur:

• Difficulty breathing
• Gingival hyperplasia (overgrowth of gums onto the teeth)
• Hypotension (very low blood pressure)
• Rash
• Depression

If you experience any of the side effects listed above, you should seek immediate medical attention.  It is the responsibility of the patient to report any side effects from the use of the medication to their doctor.

Drug Interactions

Avoid the use of the following drugs while using Felodipine: Phenylephrine, Pseudoephedrine, and Isometheptene. However, if they must be used, the blood pressure and the heart rate must be carefully monitored, as these drugs cause a decrease in the antihypertensive effects of calcium-channel blockers.

Contraindications

• Felodipine is contraindicated in patients with Dihydropyridine hypersensitivity.
• It is contraindicated in pregnancy, as abnormalities can result in the unborn child
• It is contraindicated in breastfeeding mothers, as it mixes with the breast milk and the effects on babies are not well researched.
• It is also contraindicated in children, patients with hypotension, angina, aortic stenosis and coronary artery disease.