Procardia PPH Treatment

Procardia is 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 Procardia.

Patients should consult their physician before taking any other medication (either prescription or over-the-counter) or nutritional supplements, particularly Antihypertensives (drugs that slow heart rate or lower blood pressure), while using Procardia.

Patients considering Procardia should notify their doctors of any allergies, particularly to Adalat, Procardia or any other drugs. They also should notify their doctor and pharmacist of any prescription and nonprescription medications they are taking, especially heart and blood pressure medications.

Patients should inform their doctors of any previous or current, liver, heart, 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 Procardia's ability to increase blood flow, patients who are having surgery, including dental surgery, must inform their doctor or dentist that they are taking Procardia. If patients experience chest pains that are more frequent or more severe than those experienced previous to taking Procardia, they should contact their doctor's immediately.

Procardia has been associated with swelling of the extremities, headaches, and other side effects. It is not prescribed for angina (chest pain related to PPH). Currently there are class action suits pending regarding the less common and more severe side effects of Procardia.

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