Medical Hex

Nifedipine Side Effects

1. Common or very common

  • Swelling of ankles (peripheral edema): this is the most common side effect of nifedipine, it generally occurs within 2 to 3 weeks of beginning therapy.
  • Flushing
  • Dizziness/ fatigue
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Shakiness
  • Muscle cramps or pain
  • Malaise
  • Drowsiness
  • Palpitations
  • Nasal congestion
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Wheezing

2. Less common side effects

  • Allergic edema
  • Chills
  • Anxiety
  • Diarrhea
  • Gastrointestinal disorders
  • Sleep disorders
  • Dry mouth
  • Epistaxis
  • Joint disorders
  • Laryngeal oedema (swelling)
  • Migraine
  • Muscle complaints
  • Gingival hyperplasia
  • Tremor
  • Urinary disorders
  • Vertigo
  • Vision disorders

3. Rare

  • Hypotension
  • Rash
  • Chest pain
  • Urticaria
  • Flatulence
  • Pruritus (itchy skin)
  • Abdominal discomfort
  • Constipation
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Increased frequency in passing urine

4. Side effects with no known frequency

  • Agranulocytosis
  • Bezoar
  • Cerebral ischemia
  • Dysphagia
  • Eye pain
  • Gingival disorder
  • Gynecomastia (following long term use)
  • Hepatic disorders
  • High blood sugar
  • Ischemic heart disease
  • Leukopenia
  • Aggravation of myasthenia gravis
  • Photoallergic reaction
  • Pulmonary oedema
  • Telangiectasia
  • Toxic epidermal necrolysis
  • Weight loss

5. Overdose Symptoms

  • Nausea
  • Drowsiness
  • Slurred speech
  • Confusion

6. Additional Information

These side effects emerge as a result of orally taking nifedipine. However, if you are using nifedipine ointment for anal fissures, you still might experience some of these side effects due to systemic absorption of the ointment.

Among age groups, elderly might be more susceptible to these side effects. Elderly might also experience a greater hypotension response during therapy. In addition, constipation might be a greater problem in these patients. This is due to the longer half life of nifedipine in elderly (6.7 hours) when compared to younger individuals (3.8 hours).

7. Summary

Summary of Nifedipine side effects appearing on different organs/ body systems

References

1. Joint formulary committee, BNF 80 (The British National Formulary), 80th Revised edition, Pharmaceutical Press, London, United Kingdom, [2020]

2. Kizior, R.J. and Hodgson, B.B. (2018). Saunders nursing drug handbook 2019. Philadelphia: Saunders.

3. British Medical Association (2015). British Medical Association new guide to medicine & drugs. London: Dorling Kindersley.

4. Williams and Wolters Kluwer Health (2012). Nursing 2012 drug handbook. Philadelphia, Pa.: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

5. Kolesar, J.M. (2016). Mcgraw-hill’s 2018/2019 top 300 pharmacy drug cards.

6. Lacy, C. (2006). Lexi-Comp’s Drug information handbook international. Hudson, Ohio: Lexi-Comp.

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