Nifedical Xl

Nifedical Xl

Nifedical Xl Recall

Get an alert when a recall is issued.

Questions & Answers

Side Effects & Adverse Reactions

Excessive Hypotension

Although in most angina patients the hypotensive effect of nifedipine is modest and well tolerated, occasional patients have had excessive and poorly tolerated hypotension. These responses have usually occurred during initial titration or at the time of subsequent upward dosage adjustment, and may be more likely in patients on concomitant beta-blockers.

Severe hypotension and/or increased fluid volume requirements have been reported in patients receiving nifedipine together with a beta-blocking agent who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery using high-dose fentanyl anesthesia. The interaction with high-dose fentanyl appears to be due to the combination of nifedipine and a beta-blocker, but the possibility that it may occur with nifedipine alone, with low doses of fentanyl, in other surgical procedures, or with other narcotic analgesics cannot be ruled out. In nifedipine-treated patients where surgery using high-dose fentanyl anesthesia is contemplated, the physician should be aware of these potential problems and if the patient's condition permits, sufficient time (at least 36 hours) should be allowed for nifedipine to be washed out of the body prior to surgery.

The following information should be taken into account in those patients who are being treated for hypertension as well as angina:

Increased Angina and/or Myocardial Infarction

Rarely, patients, particularly those who have severe obstructive coronary artery disease, have developed well documented increased frequency, duration and/or severity of angina or acute myocardial infarction on starting nifedipine or at the time of dosage increase. The mechanism of this effect is not established.

Beta-Blocker Withdrawal

It is important to taper beta-blockers if possible, rather than stopping them abruptly before beginning nifedipine. Patients recently withdrawn from beta-blockers may develop a withdrawal syndrome with increased angina, probably related to increased sensitivity to catecholamines. Initiation of nifedipine treatment will not prevent this occurrence and on occasion has been reported to increase it.

Congestive Heart Failure

Rarely, patients, usually receiving a beta blocker, have developed heart failure after beginning nifedipine. Patients with tight aortic stenosis may be at greater risk for such an event, as the unloading effect of nifedipine would be expected to be of less benefit, owing to the fixed impedance to flow across the aortic valve in these patients.

Gastrointestinal Obstruction Requiring Surgery

There have been rare reports of obstructive symptoms in patients with known strictures in association with the ingestion of nifedipine. Bezoars can occur in very rare cases and may require surgical intervention.

Cases of serious gastrointestinal obstruction have been identified in patients with no known gastrointestinal disease, including the need for hospitalization and surgical intervention.

Risk factors for gastrointestinal obstruction identified from post-marketing reports of nifedipine extended-release tablets include alteration in gastrointestinal anatomy (severe gastrointestinal narrowing, colon cancer, small bowel obstruction, bowel resection, gastric bypass, vertical banded gastroplasty, and colostomy), hypomotility disorders (constipation, gastroesophageal reflux disease, ileus, obesity, hypothyroidism, and diabetes) and concomitant medications (H2-histamine blockers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, laxatives, anticholinergic agents, and levothyroxine).

Legal Issues

There is currently no legal information available for this drug.

FDA Safety Alerts

There are currently no FDA safety alerts available for this drug.

Manufacturer Warnings

There is currently no manufacturer warning information available for this drug.

FDA Labeling Changes

There are currently no FDA labeling changes available for this drug.

Uses

I. Vasospastic Angina

Nifedical XL® tablets are indicated for the management of vasospastic angina confirmed by any of the following criteria: 1) classical pattern of angina at rest accompanied by ST segment elevation, 2) angina or coronary artery spasm provoked by ergonovine, or 3) angiographically demonstrated coronary artery spasm. In those patients who have had angiography, the presence of significant fixed obstructive disease is not incompatible with the diagnosis of vasospastic angina, provided that the above criteria are satisfied. Nifedical XL® tablets may also be used where the clinical presentation suggests a possible vasospastic component but where vasospasm has not been confirmed, e.g., where pain has a variable threshold on exertion or in unstable angina where electrocardiographic findings are compatible with intermittent vasospasm, or when angina is refractory to nitrates and/or adequate doses of beta-blockers.

II. Chronic Stable Angina
     (Classical Effort-Associated Angina)

Nifedical XL® tablets are indicated for the management of chronic stable angina (effort-associated angina) without evidence of vasospasm in patients who remain symptomatic despite adequate doses of beta-blockers and/or organic nitrates or who cannot tolerate those agents.

In chronic stable angina (effort-associated angina) nifedipine has been effective in controlled trials of up to eight weeks duration in reducing angina frequency and increasing exercise tolerance, but confirmation of sustained effectiveness and evaluation of long-term safety in these patients is incomplete.

Controlled studies in small numbers of patients suggest concomitant use of nifedipine and beta-blocking agents may be beneficial in patients with chronic stable angina, but available information is not sufficient to predict with confidence the effects of concurrent treatment, especially in patients with compromised left ventricular function or cardiac conduction abnormalities. When introducing such concomitant therapy, care must be taken to monitor blood pressure closely since severe hypotension can occur from the combined effects of the drugs (see WARNINGS).

III. Hypertension

Nifedical XL® tablets are indicated for the treatment of hypertension. It may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents.

History

There is currently no drug history available for this drug.

Other Information

Nifedipine is a drug belonging to a class of pharmacological agents known as the calcium channel blockers. Nifedipine is 3,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(2-nitrophenyl)-, dimethyl ester, C17H18N2O6, and has the structural formula:

Chemical Structure

Nifedipine is a yellow crystalline substance, practically insoluble in water but soluble in ethanol. It has a molecular weight of 346.3. Each extended-release tablet, formulated as a once-a-day controlled release tablet for oral administration, delivers 30 or 60 mg of nifedipine.

In addition, each extended-release tablet contains the following inactive ingredients: anhydrous lactose, colloidal silicon dioxide, ethylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, methacrylic acid copolymer type A, methacrylic acid copolymer type B, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, red ferric oxide, sodium lauryl sulfate, talc and titanium dioxide.

Nifedipine Extended-release Tablets meet USP Dissolution Test 3.

Nifedical Xl Manufacturers


  • Teva Pharmaceuticals Usa Inc
    Nifedical Xl (Nifedipine) Tablet, Film Coated, Extended Release [Teva Pharmaceuticals Usa Inc]
  • Bryant Ranch Prepack
    Nifedical Xl (Nifedipine) Tablet, Film Coated, Extended Release [Bryant Ranch Prepack]
  • Cardinal Health
    Nifedical Xl (Nifedipine) Tablet, Film Coated, Extended Release [Cardinal Health]
  • State Of Florida Doh Central Pharmacy
    Nifedical Xl (Nifedipine) Tablet, Film Coated, Extended Release [State Of Florida Doh Central Pharmacy]
  • Bryant Ranch Prepack
    Nifedical Xl (Nifedipine) Tablet, Film Coated, Extended Release [Bryant Ranch Prepack]

Login To Your Free Account