Felodipine

What felodipine is for

Felodipine is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and angina.

It's a type of medicine called a calcium channel blocker. It works by relaxing and widening your blood vessels, which helps to increase the blood flow and oxygen supply to your heart.

How to take felodipine

Felodipine comes as tablets that you take once a day in the morning. You'll usually need to take it long term.

Always check the packet or leaflet that comes with your medicine. Ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice if you're not sure how to take it or have any problems taking it.

When taking felodipine:

• swallow the tablet whole with a drink of water
• take it at the same time each day

Check your packet or leaflet to see if you should take your medicine with food or not.

Your doctor may change your dose depending on how well it's working and how you're finding any side effects.

Important

Do not stop taking felodipine unless a doctor tells you to. Stopping suddenly can be dangerous.

If you miss a dose of felodipine

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose.

If it is nearly time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose at the usual time.

Do not take 2 doses to make up for a forgotten dose.

If you take too much felodipine

Taking an extra dose of felodipine is unlikely to cause problems, but it's important to get medical advice if you take too much as it can sometimes be dangerous.

Get help from NHS 111 if:

If you're told to go to A&E, do not drive. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Bring the felodipine packet or leaflet inside it, any remaining medicine, and any other medicines you take.

Side effects of felodipine

Like all medicines, felodipine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Common side effects

Common side effects of felodipine include:

• your ankles gradually becoming swollen
• headaches
• flushing, where your face, neck or chest suddenly feel hot and look red (redness may be harder to see on black or brown skin)
• stomach pain
• feeling dizzy
• feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)
• your heartbeat being more noticeable (palpitations) - it may feel like it's beating very fast, pounding, fluttering or not beating steadily

Felodipine can sometimes cause dizziness and tiredness. If this happens, do not drive, ride a bike or use machinery until this has stopped.

Speak to a pharmacist or doctor if:

Serious side effects

Felodipine can sometimes cause serious side effects, although most of them are rare.

Possible serious side effects of felodipine include:

• an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) - causing symptoms such as a swollen throat or tongue, a raised, itchy rash and difficulty breathing
• sudden swelling in part of your body (angioedema) such as your face, tongue or genitals - it may also cause an itchy, raised rash
• chest pain

Call NHS 111 if:

More about side effects

These are not all the side effects of felodipine.

For a full list, see the leaflet that came with your medicine, or search for your medicine leaflet on the electronic medicines compendium website.

You can report any side effects you get on the Yellow Card Scheme website

Who can and cannot take felodipine

Most adults can take felodipine, but it's not suitable for everyone.

For example, it may not be suitable if you have:

• had an allergic reaction or serious side effect from felodipine or a similar medicine before
• heart failure, heart disease, heart valve problems or have recently had a heart attack
• a fast heartbeat
• liver problems
• low blood pressure
• gum problems

Before taking felodipine, tell your doctor if you have any medical conditions.

Breastfeeding and felodipine

Felodipine can be taken if you're breastfeeding, but check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

If you're taking felodipine while breastfeeding, speak to a healthcare professional or call NHS 111 if you have any concerns about your baby.

Pregnancy and felodipine

Felodipine is not recommended for use in pregnancy.

Tell your doctor if you're pregnant or planning a pregnancy. They may suggest switching to another medicine or stopping taking felodipine while you're pregnant.

Find out more about taking felodipine during pregnancy on the Bumps (Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy) website

Taking felodipine with other medicines, food and drink

There are some medicines, remedies and supplements that may not mix well with felodipine.

This includes some types of:

• antibiotics, such as erythromycin
• antifungal medicines, such as ketoconazole
• epilepsy medicines
• medicines for stomach ulcers
• medicines for HIV
• herbal remedies, such as St John's wort

Speak to a pharmacist or your doctor before taking any other medicines, or any herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements, if you've been prescribed felodipine.

Food, drink and alcohol with felodipine

Do not drink eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice if you're taking felodipine.

Drinking alcohol while taking felodipine can increase the risks of side effects like low blood pressure.

Find out more about your medicine

To find out more about your medicine, you can:

• check the leaflet that comes with it
• search for your medicine leaflet on the electronic medicines compendium website
• speak to a pharmacist or doctor for advice

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