Nifedipine Extended-Release Tablets for Hypertension and Angina

What Nifedipine Is and How It Works

Nifedipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker used for hypertension and chronic stable or vasospastic angina. Many patients also receive it for Raynaud’s phenomenon. Most prescriptions are for extended-release tablets taken once daily. These tablets provide steady control, and some use an osmotic delivery system that releases medicine through the day. If you compare nifedipine price across sources, you may find strong value at YouDrugstore.

YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy in Manitoba. Our pharmacists review prescriptions before dispensing and can address medication questions. We ship brand and generic medicines at Canadian prices, and we also carry OTC items. We partner with licensed, vetted pharmacies internationally to source authentic brands with broad selection and fair pricing.

Nifedipine lowers blood pressure by relaxing vascular smooth muscle and reducing peripheral resistance. In angina, it improves oxygen supply by dilating coronary arteries and lowers demand by reducing afterload. Extended-release (ER) tablets are preferred for blood pressure control. Immediate-release forms are not used for routine hypertension treatment.

Dosage and Usage

Follow your prescriber’s directions on strength and timing. Typical practice uses ER tablets once daily. Common starting doses range from 30 mg to 60 mg, with adjustments based on response and tolerability. Do not split, crush, or chew ER tablets.

• Starting: Many adults begin with 30 mg ER daily. Some start at 60 mg ER daily.
• Titration: Dose may increase at intervals to reach targets. Maximum daily doses vary by product.
• Administration: Swallow tablets whole with water. Take at the same time each day.
• Food: Be consistent with meals as directed by your prescriber. Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice.
• Missed dose: Take it when remembered unless it is close to the next dose. Do not double a dose.

Storage and travel tips:

• Store at 20–25°C (68–77°F) in a dry place.
• Keep in the original container with the label.
• Carry your medication in hand luggage during travel.
• Avoid heat, excessive moisture, and freezing.
• Bring enough tablets for the full trip plus extra.

Some ER tablets may leave a ghost shell in the stool. This is normal for osmotic systems and does not mean the dose was missed.

Benefits and Savings

Nifedipine helps lower blood pressure and reduces the risk of stroke, heart attack, and kidney complications. It improves exercise tolerance and reduces angina episodes. Many people living with Raynaud’s find fewer and less severe vasospasm attacks on therapy.

Once-daily ER dosing supports adherence. Tablets are available in multiple strengths, commonly 30 mg, 60 mg, and 90 mg. When comparing options, check both nifedipine 30 mg price and nifedipine 60 mg price to match your prescribed strength.

YouDrugstore offers Canadian pricing with typical 60–80% savings versus many US retail prices. You can order online or by phone where available, and our customer-service chat is available during posted office hours. Reorder reminders and multi-month supplies can lower per-month costs.

Side Effects and Safety

Many side effects improve after the first weeks as the body adjusts. Contact a healthcare professional about persistent or severe symptoms.

• Common: flushing, headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, ankle swelling, palpitations, fatigue, nausea, constipation.
• Less common: gingival overgrowth, rash, heartburn, muscle cramps.
• Serious: severe hypotension, fainting, chest pain worsening, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, signs of liver issues (dark urine, jaundice), severe skin reactions, allergic reaction (hives, swelling, breathing trouble).

Drug interactions may occur with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (for example, clarithromycin, ketoconazole, certain HIV antivirals) and inducers (for example, rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, St. John’s wort). Grapefruit can raise nifedipine levels. Discuss all prescriptions, OTCs, and supplements with your prescriber or pharmacist.

Caution is advised in significant aortic stenosis, recent heart attack, or decompensated heart failure. Extended-release nifedipine is generally preferred when a calcium channel blocker is chosen for hypertension. Use in pregnancy and nursing requires medical guidance.

Onset Time

Blood pressure begins to decrease within hours of a dose. With ER tablets, steady effect builds over several days. Full response may take 1–2 weeks after a dose change. Angina frequency often improves within a few days when therapy starts or increases.

Compare With Alternatives

Amlodipine is another dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker. It offers once-daily dosing and a long half-life. Some people notice less ankle swelling on one or the other medicine. Diltiazem is a non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker that can slow heart rate. It may suit patients needing both rate control and angina help, based on clinician judgment.

Beta-blockers such as metoprolol are common angina options and may pair well with a dihydropyridine. ACE inhibitors or ARBs and thiazide diuretics are often part of blood pressure regimens. Branded ER nifedipine options include Procardia XL® and Adalat® ER/XL, which use controlled-release designs. To review available strengths and packaging, see Nifedipine.

Combination Therapy

Nifedipine frequently serves in dual or triple therapy for hypertension. Common partners include ACE inhibitors (for example, lisinopril), ARBs (for example, losartan), and thiazide diuretics (for example, hydrochlorothiazide). In angina, long-acting nitrates and statins are often part of care. Low-dose aspirin is used when appropriate for cardiovascular risk. Your prescriber will tailor therapy to your blood pressure, heart rate, comorbidities, and tolerability.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Nifedipine may suit adults with hypertension or chronic angina who need a once-daily option. It also sees use in Raynaud’s phenomenon. People with symptomatic low blood pressure, severe aortic stenosis, or unstable cardiac status need medical review before therapy changes. Those with liver impairment may require dose adjustments and closer monitoring.

Cost-saving ideas:

• Ask your prescriber if a once-daily ER tablet aligns with goals; single daily dosing can reduce fill fees.
• Compare strengths; the nifedipine 30 mg price and nifedipine 60 mg price can differ by pack size.
• Choose a multi-month supply to decrease per-month costs when appropriate.
• Use our reorder reminders so you stay on track and avoid rush shipments.

You can order from YouDrugstore online, and our team supports a smooth checkout. Customer-service chat is available during posted office hours for ordering and shipping questions. As a licensed Canadian pharmacy, we meet Canadian pharmacy standards, and prescriptions are reviewed by licensed pharmacists before dispensing.

Authoritative Sources

Review official information and labeling here:

• FDA Drugs@FDA: Procardia XL (nifedipine extended-release) application overview
• DailyMed search: nifedipine extended-release labeling
• Health Canada Drug Product Database: search nifedipine products

Ready to get started? You can place your order with YouDrugstore and have medications shipped to the US with prompt, express, cold-chain shipping where required. Our team is here to help with ordering, refills, and delivery questions.

This content is for general information. It does not replace medical advice from your healthcare professional. Always follow your prescriber’s directions and the patient leaflet that comes with your medication.