What is Arrow-Nifedipine XR used for?

Arrow-Nifedipine XR tablets 30mg are used to treat hypertension, which is high blood pressure when at rest.  Although there are usually no other symptoms, high blood pressure increases risk of cardiovascular disease.  Arrow-Nifedipine XR tablets 30mg reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack, by lowering blood pressure to normal resting levels.  Arrow-Nifedipine XR 30 is also used to treat chronic stable angina, to prevent symptoms like chest pain, but is not used to treat an acute attack of angina.  Arrow-Nifedipine XR 30 is also used to treat coronary heart disease, which is narrowing of the arteries supplying the heart with oxygen and can cause heart attack and angina.  Arrow-Nifedipine XR tablets 30mg can be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive medications such as diuretics. 

How does Arrow-Nifedipine XR work?

Arrow-Nifedipine XR tablets 30mg contain nifedipine, which is a calcium channel blocker that inhibits the inflow of calcium ions across specific calcium channels in the cell membrane into smooth muscle cells of the heart (myocardium) and peripheral blood vessel walls (only arteries).  Calcium is needed for smooth muscle cells to contract, so by blocking calcium channels, smooth muscle cells contraction is prevented.  Nifedipine in Arrow-Nifedipine XR 30 blocks calcium channels in smooth muscle cells, allowing peripheral arteries to relax and widen (vasodilation) and this reduces the workload on the heart, the force needed for the heart to pump blood around the body (negative inotropic effect), increases oxygen supply to the heart, and decreases blood pressure.  Arrow-Nifedipine XR tablets 30mg also causes widening of the main arteries of the heart, increasing the oxygen supply to the heart and, as the heart workload is reduced, the demand for oxygen is also reduced, which prevents chest pain symptoms of angina caused by lack of oxygen to the heart muscle.

What does Arrow-Nifedipine XR contain?

Arrow-Nifedipine XR tablets 30mg contains the active ingredient nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker used to treat hypertension, angina and coronary heart disease, formulated for slow release at a constant rate over a 24 hours period.  They also contain purified talc, povidone, lactose, carbomer 934P, hypromellose, silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, titanium dioxide, iron oxide red CI77491, macrogol 4000 and Eudragit E100.

Treating hypertension (high blood pressure) with Arrow-Nifedipine XR

Arrow-Nifedipine XR tablets 30mg contain nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker used to lower blood pressure in people with hypertension (high blood pressure at rest), who are at risk of cardiovascular disease.  Although there are usually no other symptoms of high blood pressure it can increase risk of cardiovascular disease.  Nifedipine in Arrow-Nifedipine XR 30 blocks the inflow of calcium ions, needed for contraction, into smooth muscle cells of the heart and blood vessel walls (only arteries), which causes blood vessel walls to relax and widen. This action reduces the workload on the heart, which is the force needed for the heart to pump blood around the body, as measured by blood pressure, and also reduces resistance to blood flow in the peripheral circulation.  By lowering blood pressure Arrow-Nifedipine XR tablets 30mg help reduce risk of cardiovascular disease including stroke and heart attack.

Arrow-Nifedipine XR for angina

Arrow-Nifedipine XR tablets 30mg contain nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker used to treat chronic stable angina.  Nifedipine in Arrow-Nifedipine XR tablets 30mg blocks the inflow of calcium ions, needed for contraction, into smooth muscle cells of the heart and blood vessel walls (only arteries), which causes blood vessel walls to relax and widen.  Arrow-Nifedipine XR tablets 30mg reduces the workload on the heart and its demand for oxygen, while at the same time increasing oxygen supply to the heart, which prevents chest pain symptoms of angina caused by lack of oxygen to the heart muscle.   

What are the side effects of Arrow-Nifedipine XR?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Arrow-Nifedipine XR include headache, dizziness, flushing, gastrointestinal upset (nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea, indigestion, gastric pain), nosebleeds, nasal congestion, oedema (swelling of the ankles, feet, face or hands), flushing, palpitations, tiredness, weakness, drowsiness.

When should Arrow-Nifedipine XR not be used?

You should not use Arrow-Nifedipine XR if you:

• are allergic to nifedipine or any ingredients in Arrow-Nifedipine XR
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have had a recent heart attack or are in cardiogenic shock (very low blood pressure due to a failing heart)
• have had a surgical procedure called Kock Pouch (ileostomy after protocolectomy)
• if you drink large amounts of grapefruit juice as this can reduce the blood pressure lowering effect of Arrow-Nifedipine XR tablets
• are taking medicines that interact with Arrow-Nifedipine XR, including: the antibiotic rifampicin and quinupristin, the antiarrhythmic quinidine, other antihypertensives like diltiazem, the immunosuppressant tacrolimus, the macrolide antibiotic erythromycin, ritonavir for HIV, antifungals like ketoconazole, some antidepressants like nefazodone and fluoxetine, cimetidine for gastric ulcers or reflux, the anticonvulsant valproic acid, digoxin for heart failure, Cisapride for gastric reflux

What medications interact with Arrow-Nifedipine XR?

Several medications interact with Arrow-Nifedipine XR and should either not be taken while you are taking Arrow-Nifedipine XR or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that affect Arrow-Nifedipine XR: the antibiotics rifampicin and quinupristin, other antihypertensives like diltiazem, the immunosuppressant tacrolimus, the macrolide antibiotic erythromycin, ritonavir for HIV, antifungals like ketoconazole, some antidepressants like nefazodone and fluoxetine, cimetidine for gastric ulcers or reflux, the anticonvulsant valproic acid, Cisapride for gastric reflux
• Drugs that are affected by Arrow-Nifedipine XR: the antiarrhythmic quinidine, digoxin for heart failure

How should Arrow-Nifedipine XR be taken?

You should take your Arrow-Nifedipine XR with a glass of water, swallowed whole, once daily, with or without food.  The dose you take and for how long should be as recommended by your doctor.  If required your doctor may increase your dose.  You should continue to take your Arrow-Nifedipine XR tablets 30mg for as long as recommended by your doctor.

How long should you take Arrow-Nifedipine XR?

You should continue to take your Arrow-Nifedipine XR tablets 30mg for as long as recommended by your doctor.

Missed dose of Arrow-Nifedipine XR

If you miss a dose of Arrow-Nifedipine XR take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Arrow-Nifedipine XR be stored?

You should store your Arrow-Nifedipine XR below 25°C in a cool dry place.