Felodipine Pharmacology

Felodipine

About Felodipine
A Selective calcium channel blocker, Dihydropyridine derivative, Anti hypertensive.
Mechanism of Action of Felodipine
Felodipine is a vasoselective long acting dihydropyridine Ca channel blocker. It exerts antihypertensive, antianginal actions through blocking the influx of Ca2+ ions through voltage gated L-type Ca channels to the peripheral vascular smooth muscle cells, Coronary smooth muscle cells and to the myocardial cells. Thus causes dilatation of vascular endothelium, decrease peripheral resistance, & reduce myocardial oxygen demand .It has smooth muscle relaxant action produces by release of nitric oxide from endothelium and thus inhibit cyclic AMP-phosphodiesterase resulting in raised cyclic AMP in smooth muscle. Nitric oxide exerts anti atherosclerotic action.
Pharmacokinets of Felodipine
Absorption: Well absorbed orally, bioavailability is reduced due to first pass metabolism.
Distribution: Widely distributed in a protein bound form.
Metabolism: Metabolized in liver.
Excretion: Excreted mainly through urine and small amount is excreted through faeces.
Onset of Action for Felodipine
2 to 5 hours
Duration of Action for Felodipine
24 hours
Half Life of Felodipine
25 hours
Side Effects of Felodipine
1. Edema
2. Palpitation
3. Hypotension
4. Bradycardia
5. Syncope
6. Headache
7. Abdominal pain
8. Dizziness
9. Fatigue
10. Flushing
11. Tachycardia
12. Postural hypotension
13. Myocardial infarction
14. Elevated liver enzymes
15. Visual impairment
16. Impotence
17. Angina
18. Arrhythmia
19. Nausea
20. Leg cramps
21. Rashes
22. Gingival hyperplasia

Contra-indications of Felodipine
1. Acute myocardial infarction
2. Hypersensitivity to the drug
3. Unstable angina
4. Heart failure

Special Precautions while taking Felodipine
1. Congestive heart failure
2. Cardiovascular insufficiency
3. Hypotension
4. Left ventricular outflow obstruction.
5. Hepatic impairment
6. Slowly withdraw the drug with caution
7. Use cautiously in women in reproductive age group
8. Use cautiously along with other antihypertensive drugs
9. The drug may leads to hypotension, tachycardia, and myocardial ischaemia.

Pregnancy Related Information
Contraindicated
Old Age Related Information
Use with caution
Breast Feeding Related Information
Contraindicated
Children Related Information
Contraindicated
Indications for Felodipine
1. Hypertension
2. Angina pectoris

Interactions for Felodipine
Histamine H2 antagonists: May increase bioavailability by 50%.
Digitalis glycosides: Serum digoxin levels may be increased upto 40% approx.
Beta blockers: Concomitant use may result in increase adverse effects due to depressant effect on myocardial contractility.
Phenytoin, Carbamapezine, Barbiturates: Plasma levels of felodipine may be reduced.
Food: Bioavailability not affected by food, however it is increased more than two-fold when taken with doubly concentrated grape fruit juice, compared to water or orange juice.
Typical Dosage for Felodipine
Starts with 5mg once daily. Increase the dosage up to 10mg once daily at 2 week intervals depending up on the patient`s response.
Maximum dose: 20mg
Schedule of Felodipine
H
Storage Requirements for Felodipine
Store at room temperature below 30 degree C. Protect from moisture and avoid freezing.

Effects of Missed Dosage of Felodipine
Take the missed dose as soon as noticed and if it is the time for next dose then skip the missed dose.Do not double the dose.
Effects of Overdose of Felodipine
Monitor & support cardiac and respiratory functions. Measure the BP. Give cardiovascular support by elevating the limbs and maintaining fluid balance. Give plasma volume expanders if required. Administer sympathomimetics to treat hypotension and Atropine to treat Bradycardia.

Home Delivery for Felodipine in Your City

Medicine India is just a publishing medium for medicine related information and does not provide services or sales of medicines including felodipine.

However, we do publish a comprehensive directory of Pharmacies, Chemists and Druggists in cities all over India. You can use this directory to find the medicine stores in your city (or area) that provide home delivery services for felodipine and other medicines and health products. Home delivery services for felodipine may be free or they may cost you depending on the pharmacy and the minimum order requirements. It would be best to get this clarified while placing the order.

Please be aware that you should take felodipine only if a doctor has recommended or prescribed it. Some or all pharmacies who provide a home delivery service for medicines might insist on a prescription for felodipine before they complete the sale. You can get this information while placing the order for felodipine with the pharmacy.

Felodipine is a generic medicine name and there are several brands available for it. Some of the brands for felodipine might be better known than felodipine itself. If the pharmacy that's willing to deliver medicines to your home doesn't have felodipine in stock, you can ask for one of the branded alternatives for felodipine.