Get Informed: Procardia
Active Ingredient(s)
Nifedipine
What does it do?
This product is primarily used in the management of angina. It works by dilating the blood vessels of the body, reducing spasms of the vessels.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-13 6:01 AM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-12 9:01 PM
Other Names
- Nifedipine
- Procardia
- Procardia XL
- Nifedipine ER
- Adalat
- Nifedical
- Nifedipin
- Nifediac
- Nifedical XL
- Nifediac CC
- Nifedipine XL
- Adalat CC
- Afeditab
- Afeditab CR
- Niphedipin
- Coracten
- Nifedipin Genericon
- Adipine
- Hypolar
- Angiopine
- Unipine XL
- Tensipine MR
- Fortipine
- Nifopress
- Cardilate MR
- Genalat
- Calchan MR
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 31 Dec 1981
- Est US Patients*
- 572,900
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Procardia or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Procardia
There have been no iGuard.org alerts regarding Procardia during the past year.
Procardia Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Procardia interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Procardia used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 3,800 patients that use Procardia (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| High Blood Pressure | 98% | 
|
| Angina/Chest Pain | 9% | 
|
| Heart Failure/Edema | 5% | 
|
| Heart Disease/Stroke Prevention | 5% |
|
| Kidney Protection | 2% | 
|
How well does Procardia work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 3,800 users taking Procardia (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 86%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Procardia outweigh the bad things.
- 2%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Procardia.
Common Side Effects of Procardia
iGuard regularly polls our more than 3,800 users taking Procardia (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
14% of patients experience side-effects on Procardia
6% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Procardia
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Fatigue
-
Dizziness
-
Drowsiness
-
Hot Flashes
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Headache, Insomnia, Itch/Rash, Weakness
Global Patient Feedback for Procardia (Nifedipine) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I don't know if this is relative to any other medication that I'm now taking but ,I'm a severe asthmatic ,copd am on advair 500/50 , diovan 160,lansoprazole dr, 30mg,nifedipine er/xl 60 mg,alendronate sidium tablets usp once a week, 500 mg oscal calcium 2x a day, centrum silver one a day , mucenex 600 mg twice a day . Have been experiancing severe pain in my shoulder & upper arms doctor said the drug nifedipine does not have that side effect. but thats strange ,I stopped the drug for 2 nd day the pain is subsiding. I would like to know your opinion on this particular medication.
75 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-10 16:19:56
Question/Comment:
I've been on Procardia XL 60 mg. once a day for about 15 yrs. A few years back my heart started racing later I found thats one of the moderate side effects they did'nt bother to tell me about. They put me on Atenolol 25 mg. to slow my heart rate down, I've been on them for about 5 yrs. now. AND NOW! I find out taking these 2 meds together can cause heart problems!!! When it comes to meds the docs just do what the drug companies tell them to do! And pharmasists SHOULD warn us patients, but I guess it's all about the money, who cares if you get sicker thats just more money for them.
40 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-21 16:28:06
Question/Comment:
I have been taking nifedipine for Raynauds syndrome, now for over 2 years and I have found that it does what it says it will do in regards to dilation of the vessels especially in my legs and feet.
53 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-12-10 21:44:39
Question/Comment:
Hear of any connection between using this med and cancer increase? I read a health news letter that say so after long tern use.
65 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-09-21 17:38:58
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Conflicting reports exist about the link between cancer and short-acting calcium channel blockers, specifically nifedipine. At this time, the studies have not shown a definite link between taking the calcium channel blockers and cancer. It is best to have routine check-ups and cancer screens with your physician whether or not you are taking a calcium channel blocker.
Posted: 2009-09-27 00:02:57
Answer/Reply:
I just saw this and my question is, what type or kind of cancer are we talking about?
69 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-14 12:57:06
iGuard Answer/Reply:
The link between nifedipine and cancer is still controversial. The research has not shown if it is connected to a specific cancer. It is best to make sure you are having regular cancer checks with your physician whether you are on nifedipine or not.
Posted: 2010-02-19 10:12:57
Question/Comment:
I have been taking this medicine since my son was born for extremely high blood pressure. After about 3 or 4 months of taking this medication, my blood pressure was pretty much under control minus the stress levels. My doctor put me on this particular brand so that if I got pregnant again while having issues with my BP then there wouldn't be any complications. I have only had minor side effects - ie headaches, hot flashes, & the shakes from time to time.
33 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-09-02 10:05:19
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
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Patient Comments about
Procardia