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Common uses
Plendil is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. Felodipine is known as a calcium channel blocker. By blocking calcium, this medication relaxes and widens blood vessels so blood can flow more easily.
Before using
Before taking Plendil, tell your doctor if you have liver disease; or another disease of the heart or blood vessels such as sick sinus syndrome, aortic stenosis, heart failure, low blood pressure, or coronary artery disease.
You may not be able to take Plendil, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Plendil is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether Plendil will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether Plendil passes into breast milk. Do not take Plendil without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
If you are over 65 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from Plendil. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of this medication.
Directions
The recommended adult dose of felodipine ranges from 2.5 mg to 10 mg once daily, swallowed whole (not crushed or chewed) and taken with or without food. The tablets should not be taken with a meal that is high in carbohydrates or fat (e.g., sausages, bacon, hash browns, or sugared cereals). Grapefruit juice increases the amount of felodipine in your body and should be avoided.
Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is important that this medication be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Cautions
Do not stop taking this medicine without checking with your doctor. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. While you are using this medicine, brush and floss your teeth carefully. Also, have regular dental check-ups. Before you begin taking any new medicine, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
For women: if you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. It is unknown if this drug is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine.
Possible side effects
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
• Worsening of anginal chest pains
• Impotence
• Fatigue
• Awareness of your heart beat (heart palpitations)
• Dizziness
• Flushing
• Enlargement of the gums (gingival hyperplasia)
• Rash or itching
• Headache
• Ankle swelling
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.
For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.
If you take too much
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include dizziness, weakness, slowed or irregular heartbeat, nausea, drowsiness, confusion, and slurred speech.
Additional information
Do not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not use this medicine for other health conditions. Keep this medicine out of the reach of children. If using this medicine for an extended period of time, obtain refills before your supply runs out.
Drug interactions
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. Inform your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking.
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Plendil
