Isradipine

Isradipine is a prescription medication used to treat high blood pressure. Isradipine belongs to a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers, which work by relaxing the blood vessels, making it easier for the heart to pump blood.

This medication comes in a controlled-release tablet form and is taken once a day, with or without food.

Common side effects of isradipine include headache, swelling, and constipation. Isradipine can cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how this medication affects you.

Isradipine is a prescription medication used to treat high blood pressure, known medically as hypertension.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Isradipine may be found in some form under the following brand names:

• Dynacirc

Serious side effects have been reported with isradipine. See the “Drug Precautions” section.

Common side effects of isradipine include:

• swelling (medically known as “edema”)
• headache
• dizziness
• fatigue
• upset stomach
• flushing
• constipation
• palpitations
• nausea

This is not a complete list of isradipine side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• propranolol (Inderal, Inderide)
• fentanyl (Abstral, Actiq, Fentora, Onsolis)

This is not a complete list of isradipine drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with isradipine including:

• congestive heart failure (CHF). Tell your healthcare provider right away if you experience any of the following symptoms of CHF:
  • sudden weight gain
  • worsening shortness of breath
  • increased swelling of your feet, legs, or abdomen
  • needing more pillows or sleeping in a recliner
  • waking from sleep to catch your breath
  • a cough that does not go away
  • new or increasing irregularities in your heart rate
• hypotension. Hypotension, or low blood pressure, may cause you to feel faint or dizzy. Inadequate fluid intake, excessive sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting can lead to an excessive fall in blood pressure, too. Lie down if you feel faint or dizzy. Call your doctor right away.

Isradipine can cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how isradipine affects you.

Do not take isradipine if you are allergic to isradipine or to any of this medication’s ingredients.

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of isradipine, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Before taking isradipine, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• have liver or kidney problems
• have heart problems
• have a narrowing of the gastrointestinal tract (includes the stomach, intestines, and colon)
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Isradipine falls into category C. There are no well-controlled studies in pregnant women. The use of isradipine during pregnancy should only be considered if the potential benefit outweighs potential risks.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if isradipine crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk, and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using isradipine.

Take isradipine exactly as prescribed.

This medication comes in a controlled release tablet form and is taken once a day, with or without food.

Do not chew, divide, or crush tablets. Swallow isradipine tablets whole.

Do not be concerned if you occasionally notice in your stool something resembling a tablet. This medication is made with a non-absorbable shell that has been specially designed to slowly release the drug for your body to absorb. When this process is completed, the empty tablet shell is passed into the stool.

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of isradipine at the same time.

Take isradipine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The recommended dose range for isradipine is 5 to 20 mg once daily. Dose adjustments may be necessary in those with liver or kidney dysfunction.

If you take too much isradipine, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

Store and dispense below 86˚F (30˚C) in a tight container, protected from moisture and humidity.

Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.