by Dr. Manura Nanayakkara

Created on: November 08, 2010   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

Procardia is a medication prescribed by doctors to control high blood pressure. Its generic name is Nifedipine. Most common side effects are faintishness, headache and dizziness. 

What are the main indications of Procardia?

Procardia is usually a common medication prescribed for uncomplicated essential hypertension. In addition, Procardia is prescribed as the drug of choice for treating and preventing prinzmetal angina (chest pain due to coronary artery spasm). It is also prescribed to prevent migraine attacks. However, According to recent clinical trials,  it is associated with increased death rates in patients with acute coronary syndromes (Myocardial infarction and unstable angina). So doctors usually do not prescribe this medication in ischemic heart diseases other than prinzmetal angina.  

What are the things the doctor needs to exclude before prescribing Procardia?

Doctors prescribe this drug cautiously for patients with poor cardiac reserve, heart failure, severe hypotension, patients with diabetes mellitus, and hepatic impairment. In addition, this medication should be discontinued, when there is ischemic chest pain. In addition, this drug is not prescribed in patients with cardiogenic shock, advanced aortic stenosis, porphyria, and myocardial infarctions.

What are the common side effects of Procardia?

Common side effects of Procardia are gastro intestinal disturbances, hypotension (reduced blood pressure), palpitations, headache, dizziness, lethargy, and lack of energy.

What are the uncommon side effects of Procardia?

Less common side effects of this drug are tachycardia (increased heart rate), syncope, and nasal congestion. In addition, certain patients can get shortness of breath, anxiety, sleep disturbance, migraine, and pins and needles (parasthesia). In addition few patients may complain sleep disturbances. Some patients complain passing increased amount of urine. In addition, few patients complain erectile dysfunction with Procardia. Rarely some patients can have bleeding from the nose, muscle pain, joint swelling, and visual disturbances.

What are the dangerous side effects of Procardia?

Hypersensitivity reactions can occur with some patients. They are hives, rashes, and itchiness, and yellowish discoloration of the body. Medical advice must be sought, if above symptoms are present.

What are the rare side effects of Procardia?

Difficulty in swallowing, intestinal obstruction, and intestinal ulcers has been reported. Very rarely Procardia causes Agranulocytosis (reduction in all blood cells).

What are the pregnancy and breast feeding related side effects of Procardia?

This medication can inhibit labor. So it will not be prescribed in pregnancy.  In addition, some doctors use this medication to stop labor, especially in premature delivery situations. Amount in milk is too small to be harmful. However, manufactures are advising doctors to avoid using Procardia, unless it is indicated.

What are the dangerous drug interactions of Procardia?

Patients should avoid taking grape fruit juice while taking Procardia. Grapefruit juice can increase plasma concentration of this medication. Rifampicin also reduces plasma concentration of this drug. In addition, this medication can cause severe hypotension if co administered with beta blockers such as Atenolol (Tenormin).

Summary

Procardia is a common drug prescribed for hypertension. However, it has some side effects. But they are usually tolerable. In addition, it can cause problems with certain medical conditions and drugs. Therefore, you must tell all your medical problems to doctor the doctor before you are prescribed this drug.

Sources

British National Formulary  

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