NIFEDIPINE ER (Generic for PROCARDIA XL)

Nifedipine 30mg, Oral tablet, osmotic laser drilled

Grapefruit juice

· Severity: Major

· Notes for Consumers: Avoid taking Nifedipine with grapefruit juice. Grapefruit juice and grapefruit-containing foods may increase the effects of Nifedipine. If the blood pressure drops too low while taking this medicine, you may become dizzy or feel faint; do not stand or sit up too quickly. Contact your prescriber if you have dizziness which does not go away while taking this medicine. If you notice new or increased swelling of your legs or ankles, tell your health care provider.

· Notes for Professionals: Clinicians should be aware that grapefruit juice (food) interactions with some calcium channel blockers are possible. Grapefruit juice contains compounds (psoralen derivatives and possibly the flavonoid naringenin) that inhibit the cytochrome P-450 CYP3A4 isozyme in the gut wall. Grapefruit juice can increase the serum concentrations and oral bioavailability of some of the calcium-channel blockers (e.g., felodipine, nicardipine, nifedipine, nimodipine, nisoldipine, and verapamil); no significant effect on diltiazem bioavailability has been reported. Coadministration of oral nifedipine with grapefruit juice increases the AUC and peak plasma concentrations of nifedipine by 2-fold, with no change in half-life. The increase in nifedipine bioavailability is most likely due to inhibition of the CYP3A4 isoenzyme, resulting in reduced first-pass drug metabolism. To avoid increased drug bioavailability, it is generally recommended to avoid grapefruit juice before or after nifedipine administration. The manufacturer for Adalat CC recommends stopping grapefruit juice for 3 days prior to initiating nifedipine therapy.

<b>DISCLAIMER:</b><em> This drug information content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Patients should always consult their physician with any questions regarding a medical condition and to obtain medical advice and treatment. Drug information is sourced from GSDD (Gold Standard Drug Database ) provided by Elsevier.</em>