FELODIPINE

Pregnancy Risk: Category C (Risk cannot be ruled out)

You should check with your doctor immediately if any of these side effects occur when taking felodipine:

More common

• Bloating or swelling of face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
• rapid weight gain
• tingling of hands or feet
• unusual weight gain or loss

Less common

• Body aches or pain
• chills
• cough
• difficulty in breathing
• ear congestion
• fever
• headache
• loss of voice
• nasal congestion
• runny nose
• sneezing
• sore throat
• unusual tiredness or weakness

If any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking felodipine, get emergency help immediately:

Symptoms of overdose

• Feeling of warmth
• redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper chest

Some of the side effects that can occur with felodipine may not need medical attention:

Less common

• Acid or sour stomach
• belching
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, “pins and needles”, or tingling feelings
• constipation
• heartburn
• indigestion
• lack or loss of strength
• skin rash
• stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

Rare

• Bleeding gums
• irritation in mouth
• redness and swelling of gums

Incidence not known

• Bloated or full feeling
• bloody nose
• burning while urinating
• decreased interest in sexual intercourse
• difficult or painful urination
• difficulty in moving
• discouragement
• disturbed color perception
• double vision
• dry mouth
• excess air or gas in stomach or intestines
• feeling sad or empty
• fear or nervousness
• frequent strong or increased urge to urinate
• halos around lights
• hives or welts
• inability to have or keep an erection
• increased need to urinate
• increased volume of pale or dilute urine
• irritability
• itching
• loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
• loss of interest or pleasure
• muscle cramps or stiffness
• night blindness
• overbright appearance of lights
• pain or tenderness around eyes and cheekbones
• passing gas
• passing urine more often
• redness of skin
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• sleeplessness
• sores, welting, or blisters
• swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males
• swollen joints
• tiredness
• trouble concentrating
• tunnel vision

unable to sleep

Before taking felodipine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: heart disease (e.g., congestive heart failure), liver disease, swelling of the arms and legs (edema).

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.

This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.

To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position.

Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to its side effects, especially dizziness.

This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

See also How to Use section.

Before using this medication, it is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: other medications for high blood pressure, intravenous (IV) calcium.

Also tell your doctor or pharmacist if you take drugs affecting the removal of felodipine from your system (CYP 3A4 substrates, inhibitors and inducers) such as: azole antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole), certain anti-seizure medications (e.g., carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin), cimetidine, macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin), tacrolimus.

Check the labels on all your medicines (such as cough-and-cold products, diet aids, or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your blood pressure. Ask your pharmacist for more details.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe dizziness, slow heartbeat, severe weakness.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

Lifestyle changes such as stress reduction programs, exercise, and dietary changes may increase the effectiveness of this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about lifestyle changes that might benefit you.

Have your blood pressure checked regularly while taking this medication. It may be best to learn how to monitor your own blood pressure. Discuss with your doctor and inform him/her of your blood pressure readings.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store the US product at room temperature below 86 degrees F (30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom.

Store the Canadian product at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom.

Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Brands

Available Brands

Also marketed as