What is Fenigidin intended for? Instructions for use of this medical product, its contraindications, analogues and side effects will be described in detail in this article. In addition, you will learn about when this drug is prescribed (indications), in what dosage it should be taken, what patients and doctors say about it.
Composition and form of release of the drug
The drug "Phenigidin" can be found in the pharmacy in the form of tablets. They are coated and contain an active component such as nifedipine. The medicine goes on sale in a cardboard box, which can contain either 40 tablets or 50.
Also, the medication we are considering can be sold in the form of a solution for intravenous and intracoronary administration. This medication contains the same active substance as tablets.
Pharmacological characteristics of the drug
What is the medicine "Phenigidin"? The instruction for use of this drug states that it is a selective blocker of calcium channels of class 2, as well as a derivative of dihydropyridine.
The mechanism of action of this medication is that it slows down the processes of calcium intake into the smooth muscle cells of blood vessels and into cardiomyocytes. The medication is capable of exerting a hypotensive and antianginal effect. It also dilates peripheral and coronary arteries, lowers vascular tone, reduces blood pressure, OPSS, myocardial contractility, oxygen demand of the heart muscle and reduces afterload on the heart. In addition, this drug significantly improves coronary blood flow.
Phenygidine tablets have virtually no antiarrhythmic activity. Moreover, they do not inhibit myocardial conduction.
Pharmacokinetics of the drug
Where is the drug "Phenigidin" absorbed? Instructions for use states that after taking the tablets inside, their active substance is rapidly absorbed from the digestive tract. The drug is metabolized through the liver. This happens during the "first pass", resulting in the formation of inactive metabolites.
The relationship of the drug with proteins is about 92-98%. The elimination half-life lasts approximately 2 hours.
The drug substance appears in the form of metabolites and in unchanged form (in trace amounts) mainly by the kidneys. Also, the drug is excreted through the intestines (approximately 20%).
Indications for the use of the medication
For what abnormalities do doctors prescribe to their patients a drug like Phenigidin? The use of this medication is indicated for the following pathological conditions:
- for the prevention of angina attacks, including vasospastic angina pectoris;
- for the relief of angina attacks;
- with hypertensive crises;
- with arterial hypertension;
- with Raynaud’s disease.
Contraindications to the use of the medication
In what cases in no case should the patient be prescribed “Phenigidin” medicine? The instruction for the use of the tablets we are considering states that they are contraindicated in the following deviations:
- with cardiogenic shock;
- with arterial hypotension (when systolic blood pressure has a value below 90 mm Hg. Art.);
- with severe aortic stenosis;
- with collapse;
- with severe heart failure;
- if the patient has an increased sensitivity to such an active element as nifedipine.
Methods of use and dosage of the drug
The drug "Phenigidin" for pressure is prescribed to patients only individually. For oral administration, the initial dosage is 10 mg four times a day.
If necessary, then this volume of medication is gradually increased. In this case, the dosage will be 20 mg four times a day.
In special clinical cases (for example, with variant angina pectoris or severe arterial hypertension), for a short period of time, the dose of the drug can be increased to 30 mg four times a day.
To stop the hypertensive crisis, as well as angina attacks, the drug can be used not orally, but sublingually. In this case, it is prescribed in an amount of 10-20 mg (very rarely 30 mg).
To stop a hypertensive crisis and an attack of angina, this medication is sometimes administered intravenously (5 mg for 4-8 hours).
An intracoronary drug solution is administered with a 100-200 mcg bolus. Such treatment is usually carried out to relieve acute spasms of the coronary arteries. With vascular stenosis, the initial dosage should be approximately 50-100 mcg.
The maximum daily dose of the medication we are considering when taken orally is 120 mg. With intravenous administration, its volume should not exceed 30 mg.
Side effects of the drug
An intravenous solution and Phenigidin tablets can cause a fairly large number of side effects. Which ones, consider right now:
- Cardiovascular system: asystole, hyperemia of the skin, ventricular tachycardia, sensation of warmth, increased angina attacks, tachycardia, peripheral edema, arterial hypotension, bradycardia.
- Peripheral and central nervous system: muscle pain, headaches, mild visual disturbances, paresthesia, sleep disturbances and tremors.
- Digestive tract: diarrhea, nausea, impaired liver function, gingival hyperplasia. If the drug is used for too long and at high dosages, dyspeptic symptoms, intrahepatic cholestasis and increased activity of hepatic transaminases are possible.
- Hematopoietic system: thrombocytopenia and leukopenia are very rare.
- Endocrine system: very rarely observed gynecomastia.
- Urinary system: increased daily urine output. If you take the drug for a long time and in high dosages, then kidney damage may occur.
- Allergy: skin rash.
- Local reactions: if the drug is administered intravenously, then a burning sensation at the injection site is possible.
It is impossible not to mention that within one minute after intracoronary administration, the patient may manifest a negative ionotropic effect of nifedipine, as well as an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. These symptoms disappear gradually after about 8-15 minutes.
Drug Interactions with Other Medicines
Is it possible to take the medicine “Phenigidin Health” together with other drugs? The instruction enclosed in the package warns that the person’s well-being can deteriorate significantly if the medicine we are considering is used incorrectly. In this regard, before taking it, we recommend that you first consult with your doctor.
With a single use with diuretics, antihypertensive agents and phenothiazine derivatives , the antihypertensive effect of nifedipine may be enhanced.
With simultaneous use with anticholinergic drugs, attention and memory disorders in patients of pre-retirement and retirement age are possible.
If you take the drug with beta-blockers at the same time, then a person may develop severe arterial hypotension, and in some cases, heart failure.
With simultaneous use with nitrates, the antianginal effect of nifedipine increases.
A single dose with calcium decreases the effectiveness of the active element. This is due to antagonistic interaction, which is due to an increase in the concentration of calcium ions in the so-called extracellular fluid.
There are known cases of the development of muscle weakness and general fatigue while taking the drug with magnesium salts.
If you use "Phenigidin" together with digoxin, this can slow down the removal of the latter from the body, which will subsequently cause an increase in its concentration in the blood.
A single dose of a drug with diltiazem enhances the antihypertensive effect.
With simultaneous use with theophylline, there is a likelihood of a change in the concentration of the latter in blood plasma.
The substance rifampicin is able to induce the activity of liver enzymes, as well as accelerate the metabolism of nifedipine, which ultimately leads to a significant decrease in its effectiveness.
If you use the drug simultaneously with phenytoin, phenobarbital and carbamazepine, that is, the probability of a decrease in the concentration of the active substance in the blood plasma is.
There are many reports of an increase in the concentration of nifedipine in blood plasma, as well as an increase in its AUC with a single use with itraconazole and fluconazole.
If you take the drug with fluoxetine, there is a chance of increasing the side effects of nifedipine on the human body.
In rare cases, the simultaneous administration of a medication with quinidine can reduce the concentration of the latter in the blood, and if the drug is canceled, it can be significantly increased, which, naturally, will contribute to the prolongation of the QT interval on the ECG.
Active ingredients such as ranitidine and cimetidine sometimes increase the concentration of nifedipine in the blood, enhancing its antihypertensive effect.
Alcohol-containing medications may increase the effects of nifedipine, which will cause dizziness and other adverse reactions.
The medicine "Fenigidin" during pregnancy and lactation
Strictly controlled and adequate safety studies of such an active element as nifedipine have not been conducted during pregnancy . Therefore, using this drug during the period of gestation is highly not recommended.
Due to the fact that nifedipine is excreted along with breast milk, it is necessary to avoid its use during breastfeeding or completely stop lactation.
In experimental studies, embryotoxic, fetotoxic and teratogenic effects of nifedipine on a woman's body were identified.
Drug Analogs
What can replace the drug "Phenigidin"? Analogs of this tool are sold in all pharmacies. Among them, the following drugs can be noted: Adalat, Sponif, Vero-Nifedipine, Sanfidipin, Zanifed, Osmo-Adalat, Calcigard Retard, Nifecard, Kordafen, Nifelat , “Cordaflex”, “Nifedipine”, “Cordipin”, “Nifedicor”, “Corinfar”, “Nifedicap”, “Nicardia”, “Nifedex”, “Nifadil”, “Nifegexal”, “Nifebene” and others.
Only the attending physician should prescribe these funds.
The medicine "Phenigidin": reviews of doctors and patients
Experts note the effectiveness of the drug "Phenigidin." It quickly relieves angina attacks, and also helps with hypertensive crises, Raynaud's disease and arterial hypertension. However, on the part of patients there are many negative comments about this drug. According to them, it causes many side effects. The most common manifestations are muscle pain and dizziness. However, doctors argue that such reactions are possible only with improper use of the drug. In this regard, it should be used only under the supervision of a specialist, in particular if the patient has acute myocardial infarction, severe cerebrovascular accident, diabetes mellitus, impaired liver and kidney function, as well as malignant arterial hypertension and hypovolemia.