Description
Nifedipine belongs to the class of medications called calcium channel blockers. It is used to treat high blood pressure and angina (chest pain brought on by exercise or stress). It works to control blood pressure and reduce the number of angina attacks by relaxing blood vessels. The immediate-acting form of nifedipine is also used to treat coronary spasm, the sudden constriction of the coronary artery in the heart.
The usual starting dose for treatment of high blood pressure is 20 mg to 30 mg of a long-acting formula of nifedipine (extended release tablets or XL tablets) once daily. For the treatment of angina, the usual starting dose is 30 mg. The dose will be increased by your doctor over 1 to 2 weeks, depending on how well it is working for you and whether you are experiencing side effects. The maximum recommended daily dose is 90 mg.
For the extended-release tablets, or XL tablets, the recommended doses range from 20 mg to 90 mg once daily.
For capsules (immediate-release form), the recommended starting dose is 10 mg taken by mouth, 3 times a day. The dose will be increased by your doctor depending on how well it is working for you and whether you are experiencing side effects. The usual effective dose is 10 mg to 20 mg taken 3 times a day. No more than 120 mg nifedipine should be taken each day.
