Adalat Pulmonary Hypertension Treatment

Adalat (nifedipine) is a medicine that is classified as a calcium channel blocker. Calcium channel blockers (also called calcium antagonists) are non-habit-forming medications used to treat primary pulmonary hypertension. They are designed to prevent the entry of calcium ions into the muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels, causing these vessels to widen and relax. As a result blood pressure is lowered and circulation is improved. Although there are many vasodilators (drugs that relax blood vessels) used to treat PPH, calcium channel blockers have been the most widely tested, and appear to be more effective than other vasodilators. Nevertheless, they are only 20% effective in adults and 40% effective in children. An FDA approved drug called Flolan may help critically ill patients who do not respond to treatment with calcium channel blockers such as Adalat (nifedipine). Tests performed during a heart catheterization may determine definatively whether or not calcium channel blocker treatment is the right treatment for you.

The dose prescribed for Adalat (nifedipine) varies and the patient must follow their doctor's orders with regard to dosage. A typical adult dosage for nifedipine, taken in a long-acting oral form (extended-release capsules) for assuaging high blood pressure or angina is 30 or 60 milligrams once a day for Adalat CC or Adalat XL. The typical adult dosage for the regular (short acting) tablets is 10 milligrams, three times a day. If a patient's dose is different, he or she should absolutely not change it based on these doses. The purpose of including these doses is simply to give amlodipine users a sense of what dosages are typically prescribed.

Adalat has been associated with swelling of the extremities, headaches, and other side effects. It is not prescribed for angina (chest pain related to PPH). Patients taking nifedipine extended-release tablets should swallow the tablet whole, without breaking, crushing, cutting it in half or chewing it. Patients taking Adalat XL may sometimes notice what looks like a tablet in their stool but should be assured that it is just the empty shell of the extended release capsule and the medicine has been absorbed. If patients are taking Adalat CC, they should take the medicine on an empty stomach. Adalat should be taken only with a doctors prescription.

Before taking Adalat, patients should tell their doctors if they are allergic to Adalat or any other drugs. They should tell their doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications they are taking, especially heart and blood pressure medications. They should inform their doctors of any previous or current, heart, liver, or kidney condition. The doctor should also be made aware of whether or not the patient is pregnant, plans to become pregnant, or is breast-feeding. Because of Adalat's ability to increase blood flow, patients who are having surgery, including dental surgery, must inform their doctor or dentist that they are taking the medication. If patients experience chest pains that are more frequent or more severe, they should contact their doctor's immediately. Currently there are class action suits pending regarding the side effects of Adalat.



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