A Drug Study on

NIFEDIPINE

In Partial Fulfillment to the

Requirements in NCM 209 – RLE

PEDIATRIC ROTATION

Submitted to:
MARIA CATHERINE M. BELARMA, RN, MN
Clinical Instructor

Submitted by:
JV J. VILLAHERMOSA
BSN-2L – Group 5

March 24, 2021

Generic name: Nifedipine

Brand Name: Procardia, Procardia XL, Adalat CC, Nifedical XL, Adalat, Afeditab
CR, and Nifediac CC
Classification: - Calcium- channel blocker; antianginal; antihypertensive

Mode of Action: Calcium-channel blocker that interferes with signals to the heart
and blood vessels. It dilates blood vessels by relaxing the muscle
layer in the vessel walls thereby allowing more blood to be pumped
and reducing the strain on the heart,

Dose & Route:

Hypertension

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

The starting dose is 30 mg or 60 mg by mouth once per day. The

dosage can be increased every 7 to 14 days until the maximum
dosage of 90–120 mg per day is reached.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to.
This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result,
more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This increases
your risk of side effects. Your doctor may start you on a lowered
dose or a different medication schedule. This can help keep levels
of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Vasospastic angina

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

The starting dose is 30 mg or 60 mg by mouth once per day. The

dosage can be increased every 7 to 14 days until the maximum
 dosage of 180 mg per day is reached.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to.
This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result,
more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This increases
your risk of side effects. Your doctor may start you on a lowered
dose or a different medication schedule. This can help keep levels
of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Chronic stable angina

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

The starting dose is 30 mg or 60 mg by mouth once per day. The

dosage can be increased every 7 to 14 days until the maximum
dosage of 90–120 mg per day is reached.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to.
This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result,
more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This increases
your risk of side effects. Your doctor may start you on a lowered
dose or a different medication schedule. This can help keep levels
of this drug from building up too much in your body.

 Prophylaxis of angina; hypertension; Raynaud’s

Indication:
phenomenon

 Contraindicated in patients with cardiogenic shock;

Contraindication: advanced aortic stenosis; acute angina; within a month of
myocardial infarction
Drug Interaction:  Can increase the effects of antihypertensive medication,
phenytoin, toxicity of digoxin
 Effects of nifedipine will be reduced when taken with
rifampicin

Side/ Adverse Effect:  Headache

 Flushing
 Palpitations
 Dizziness
 Lethargy
 Gravitational oedema
 Tachycardia
 Pruritis
 Rashes
 Urticaria
 Increased urine output
 Constipation/ diarrhea
 Eye Pain
 Visual disturbances
 Gum hyperplasia
 Asthenia
 Paraesthesia
 Myalgia
 Tremor
 Impotence
 Gynaecomastia
 Depression
 Telangiectasia
 Cholestasis
Nursing Responsibilities:  Assess for angina pain, including location, intensity, duration,
and alleviating and aggravating factors.
 Assess the cardiac status with BP, pulse, respiration and
ECG
 Monitor potassium and liver function tests throughout
treatment with Nifedipine
Teaching points
 Avoid dangerous activities until stabilized on the medicine or
dizziness is not present.
 Limit caffeine
 Avoid alcohol
  Patients should change position carefully as orthostatic
hypotension can occur

REFERENCES:

Arnarson, A. (2018, November 19). Nifedipine, Oral Tablet. Healthline.

https://www.healthline.com/health/nifedipine-oral-tablet?fbclid=IwAR10aGqvp_vQjmo-

4XjS55OnOvK8Dwg4B2awzWzDaalTKhjfJLnYkz4uBO8#about

Ford, S. (2019, August 1). Nifedipine. Nursing Times. https://www.nursingtimes.net/clinical-

archive/medicine-management/nifedipine-03-06-2004/?fbclid=IwAR2f6-

7FjHuduXNfXnLL7BEQ39SJJ6gJAb9RwBVrtHMTK7lD5x327OZpyYs