Adalat CC, also known as nifedipine, is a medication used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). This drug is typically used in a combination with other drugs to reduce high blood pressure. Lowering your high blood pressure greatly reduces your risk of strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems.

How does Adalat CC work?

Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker. This class of drug helps lower blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels throughout the body. When the vessels are relaxed, there is less pressure built up and your heart does not have to work as hard.

Make sure to always read the patient information and instructions before using this medication. Always follow your doctor’s directions.

• Take this medication by mouth on an empty stomach.
• This drug is usually taken once a day.
• Do not crush or chew this medication, this can release all the drugs at once, which increases the risk of side effects.
• Swallow the tablet whole.
• Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice. Grapefruit juice can increase the amount of certains medications in your bloodstream.
• Do not stop taking this drug without talking to your doctor.
• Tell your doctor if your condition worsens.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist:

• About your drug and other allergies.
• If you take any other prescription or over-the-counter medications.
• Your medical history particularly of heart problems, liver problems, kidney problems, certain metabolic disorders.
• If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• Nifedipine passes into the breast milk, so consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
• This drug may make you dizzy, so you may want to abstain from alcohol or cannabis use to reduce increased feelings of dizziness.

Common side effects of Adalat CC include but are not limited to:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Flushing
• Constipation
• Muscle cramps
• Sexual problems may occur
• Get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position to reduce feelings of dizziness.

Get medical help if you have any of the following side effects:

• Swelling of the ankles or feet
• Shortness of breath
• Unusual weakness
• Tiredness
• Fainting
• Irregular heartbeat
• Vision changes
• Swollen or tender gums

Do any drugs interact with Adalat CC?

Some alpha-blockers like doxazosin, calcium, or magnesium may interact with nifedipine. Some medications may affect the removal of nifedipine such as St. John’s wort, drugs used to treat seizures, apalutamide, cimetidine, among others.