Procardia (Nifedipine) for Pulmonary Hypertension

Overview

Procardia is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to manage vasospastic angina and chronic stable angina. Procardia may also be prescribed off-label to treat cases of pulmonary hypertension, especially idiopathic pulmonary hypertension. Procardia may be referred to by its drug name, nifedipine. Procardia is a calcium channel blocker. Calcium channel blockers are believed to work by dilating the arteries and decreasing the force with which the heart pumps.

How do I take it?

Procardia is generally taken three or four times a day. Procardia comes in capsule form.

Side effects The FDA-approved label for Procardia lists common side effects including headache, dizziness, flushing, heartburn, muscle cramps, nervousness, cough, weezing, nasal congestion, sore throat, drowsiness, fatigue, insomnia, rash, itching, joint pain, leg cramps, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, increased urination, and swelling of the ankles or feet. Rare but serious side effects listed for Procardia include worsening angina, low blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and myocardial infarction.

For more details about this treatment, visit:

Procardia — RxList

Calcium channel blockers — Pulmonary Hypertension Association UK