Plendil

Plendil

     * Generic Name: felodipine
     * Brand Name: Plendil


     * What is felodipine (Plendil)?
     * What are the possible side effects of felodipine (Plendil)?
     * What is the most important information I should know about
       felodipine (Plendil)?
     * What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
       felodipine (Plendil)?
     * How should I take felodipine (Plendil)?
     * What happens if I miss a dose (Plendil)?
     * What happens if I overdose (Plendil)?
     * What should I avoid while taking felodipine (Plendil)?
     * What other drugs will affect felodipine (Plendil)?
     * Where can I get more information (Plendil)?

What is felodipine (Plendil)?

   Felodipine is in a group of drugs called calcium channel
   blockers. It works by relaxing the muscles of your heart and blood
   vessels.

   Felodipine is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).

   Felodipine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this
   medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of felodipine (Plendil)?

   Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an
   allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face,
   lips, tongue, or throat.

   Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
     * feeling like you might pass out;
     * feeling short of breath, swelling in your hands or feet;
     * fast or pounding heartbeats;
     * numbness or tingly feeling; or
     * chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or
       shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling.

   Less serious side effects may include:
     * headache, dizziness, drowsiness, weakness;
     * feeling restless or nervous;
     * nausea, upset stomach, constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain;
     * sleep problems (insomnia);
     * joint pain or muscle cramps;
     * warmth, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin;
     * mild rash;
     * urinating more than usual; or
     * cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore
       throat.

   This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
   your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
   effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about felodipine
(Plendil)?

   You should not use felodipine if you are allergic to it.

   Before taking felodipine, tell your doctor if you have liver
   disease or congestive heart failure.

   Many drugs can interact with felodipine. Tell your doctor about all
   other medications you use.

   Your blood pressure will need to be checked often and you may need
   other blood tests at your doctor's office. Visit your doctor regularly.

   Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood
   pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure
   medication for the rest of your life.

   Brush and floss your teeth regularly while taking this medication.
   Felodipine can cause mild swelling of your gums, which may be avoided
   with good dental hygiene.

   Plendil Patient Information including How Should I Take
   High Blood Pressure: Learn About Hypertension

   High Blood Pressure Slideshow Pictures
   RxList

   Take the Salt Quiz!
   Lowering Blood Pressure:Exercise Tips for Getting Started

   Lowering Blood Pressure Exercise Tips Pictures

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking felodipine
(Plendil)?

   You should not use felodipine if you are allergic to it.

   If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose
   adjustment or special tests:
     * liver disease; or
     * congestive heart failure.

   FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether felodipine will harm
   an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become
   pregnant while using this medication..

   It is not known whether felodipine passes into breast milk or if it
   could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling
   your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take felodipine (Plendil)?

   Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or
   smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions
   on your prescription label.

   Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the
   best results.

   You make felodipine without food or a light meal, but take it the same
   way each time.

   Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow it
   whole. Breaking the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released
   at one time.

   Call your doctor if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, or if
   you are sweating more than usual. These conditions can lead to severely
   low blood pressure.

   Your blood pressure will need to be checked often and you may need
   other blood tests at your doctor's office. Visit your doctor regularly.

   Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood
   pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure
   medication for the rest of your life.

   Brush and floss your teeth regularly while taking this medication.
   Felodipine can cause mild swelling of your gums, which may be avoided
   with good dental hygiene.

   Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

   Plendil Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
   High Blood Pressure: Learn About Hypertension

   High Blood Pressure Slideshow Pictures
   RxList

   Take the Salt Quiz!
   Lowering Blood Pressure:Exercise Tips for Getting Started

   Lowering Blood Pressure Exercise Tips Pictures

What happens if I miss a dose (Plendil)?

   Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if
   it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra
   medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose (Plendil)?

   Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
   1-800-222-1222.

   Overdose symptoms may include severe dizziness, slow heart rate,
   redness or tingling in your arms and legs, and feeling like you might
   pass out.

What should I avoid while taking felodipine (Plendil)?

   Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with felodipine and
   lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit
   products with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of
   grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your
   doctor.

   Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may
   feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

   Drinking alcohol can lower your blood pressure further and may increase
   certain side effects of felodipine.

What other drugs will affect felodipine (Plendil)?

   Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
     * cimetidine (Tagamet);
     * conivaptan (Vaprisol);
     * imatinib (Gleevec);
     * isoniazid (for treating tuberculosis);
     * tacrolimus (Prograf);
     * an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin),
       dalfopristin/quinupristin (Synercid), erythromycin (E.E.S.,
       EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), or telithromycin (Ketek);
     * antifungal medication such as clotrimazole (Mycelex
       Troche), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole
       (Nizoral), or voriconazole (Vfend);
     * an antidepressant such as nefazodone;
     * a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin, Tenoretic),
       carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate),
       metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard),
       propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol
       (Betapace), timolol (Blocadren), and others;
     * HIV/AIDS medicine such as atazanavir (Reyataz),
       delavirdine (Rescriptor), fosamprenavir (Lexiva),
       indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), saquinavir
       (Invirase), or ritonavir (Norvir);
     * other heart or blood pressure medications such as diltiazem
       (Cartia, Cardizem), nifedipine (Nifedical,
       Procardia), verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin,
       Verelan), and others; or
     * seizure medication such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol,
       Tegretol), phenobarbital (Solfoton), or phenytoin
       (Dilantin).

   This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with felodipine.
   Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes
   prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not
   start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information (Plendil)?

   Your pharmacist can provide more information about felodipine.
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