It is no secret that cardiovascular diseases are one of the most common ailments of modern society. High blood pressure, heart palpitations, shortness of breath with minimal exertion more and more worry people, even young ones.
Often with the above symptoms, cardiologists prescribe the drug “Cordipine”. Instructions for the use of this tool will be given in the article.
However, the medication mentioned above is not the only drug prescribed by a doctor for angina pectoris. Cordipin CL and Cordipin Retard may also be prescribed. Instructions for use, reviews of patients and cardiologists regarding these drugs will also be given in this article.
However, first things first. What are cordipin tablets? Instructions for use of this drug are of interest to many patients.
Active substance
What combines the above drugs? First of all, it is an active substance called nifedipine, which is a blocker of calcium antagonists (or calcium channels). Below we will find out in which cases the properties of this substance are used.
The dosage of nifedipine is practically the main difference between Cordipine and its derivatives. According to the instructions for use, “Cordipine XL” contains forty milligrams of the active substance. While the dosage of nifedipine in a simple “Cordipine” is much less - only ten milligrams. And what about the drug “Cordipine retard”? Instructions for use with this tool say that it contains twenty milligrams of the main substance.
Of course, the differences between these drugs are not only in the dosage of nifedipine. However, this distinguishing feature is also very important. It indicates how often and in what doses tablets should be taken. However, we will talk about this later.
Now let's discuss in what cases drugs with nifedipine are prescribed.
Diseases and their treatment
According to the instructions, “Cordipine retard” is prescribed for such ailments as:
- Arterial hypertension, characterized by increased pressure of various etiologies.
- Angina pectoris of the following types: stable, vasopastic unstable, vasopastic stable and angina pectoris.
- Raynaud's disease, accompanied by damage to small arterial vessels in the hands and palms.
- Coronary artery spasm.
The list of these diseases applies, of course, to the drugs “Cordipine” and “Cordipine ChL (40 mg)”. Instructions for the use of these drugs indicate a narrow use of nifedipine in the treatment of cardiovascular ailments.
Therefore, it is impossible to prescribe drugs and their dosage on their own. This should be done by the attending physician - a practicing cardiologist.
However, many patients are interested in what specific cases are prescribed tablets. For example, at what pressure? Instructions for use with “Cordipine” explains that increasing blood pressure from 140/90 millimeters of mercury can imply the use of drugs that include nifedipine. Patient reviews indicate that the drug really helps in this case.
Are there any contraindications for the use of these medicines? What is the course and schedule for their admission? How does the active substance enter the body? Let's find out.
But first, let's focus on what is included in each of the drugs.
What are tablets made of?
It is clear that the active substance cannot be the only component of drugs. What is a pill?
According to the instructions for use with Cordipin Retard, 20 mg of nifedipine, as well as microcrystalline cellulose, glyceryl palmitosteorate, talc, povidone, silicon dioxide (anhydrous colloidal), sodium lauryl sulfate, magnesium stearate.
What can be said about the composition of the tablets “Cordipine HL”? Auxiliary components of the drug are hypromellose, magnesium stearate, lactose, microcrystalline cellulose and others. The shell contains methylhydroxypropyl cellulose, titanium dioxide, iron oxide red (as a dye), macrogol 6000, talc, macrogol 400. And of course, the active substance itself is nifedipine in the amount of 40 mg.
The instructions for use for “Cordipine” stated that the dosage of the main component is ten milligrams (as mentioned above). Excipients are corn starch, lactose monohydrate, talc, povidone, sodium lauryl sulfate, gelatinized starch, silicon dioxide (colloidal anhydrous). The composition of the shell includes talc, a copolymer of methacrylic acid, titanium dioxide, macrogol, quinoline yellow (as a coloring matter).
So, how does nifedipine work and what is its effect on the human body?
Impact on the disease
Since the active substance is a calcium channel blocker, it slows down the entry of calcium into the heart muscle and vascular smooth muscle. Due to this, the blood arteries expand (peripheral and coronary), thereby reducing the load on the heart muscle and lowering blood pressure. A consequence of the drug’s effect is also a decrease in coronary blood flow, a decrease in myocardial oxygen demand, normalization of heart rate and a decrease in cardiac output.
Due to the fact that the drug reduces the ability of platelets to stick together, it is an effective prophylactic against the formation of blood clots.
What doesn't
With such impressive properties, Cordipine has several advantages over other drugs with a similar spectrum of action.
Firstly, nifedipine does not adversely affect lipid metabolism (in other words, the digestion of fats), since these substances participate in vital processes for the human body: the formation and division of cells, the passage of nerve impulses and energy production.
Also, the use of this active substance in the treatment process does not violate the so-called electrolyte balance (that is, the permissible ratio between anions and cations in the body).
Moreover, nifedipine does not provoke the progression of diseases such as diabetes mellitus, asthma, arthritis and atherosclerosis. That is, the drug can be prescribed to people who have a history of one of the above diseases.
The above information is explained in the instructions for use with Cordipine. Reviews of cardiologists and other leading experts also confirm a similar effect of the drug.
How should a medicine be taken so that it has a positive effect on the human body?
A bit about the reception schedule
Of course, the specific dosage, regimen and other instructions regarding the use of the drug should be prescribed directly by the attending physician.
However, there are general manufacturer recommendations that must also be considered.
In relation to the classic “Cordipine” (the dosage of the active substance in which is equal to ten milligrams), it is indicated that the drug must be taken one tablet twice or thrice a day, gradually increasing the daily rate to forty milligrams.
And what about the drug, in which the dosage of the active substance is 20 mg? Instructions for use with “Cordipine Retard” explains that the drug is prolonged, that is, able to gradually penetrate the blood. Thanks to this, the tablets have a long-lasting effect, but you should not expect an instant effect from them. The drug should be taken one tablet twice a day (preferably exactly after twelve hours). If a positive effect is not observed, then the dose can be increased to two tablets at a time. In some particularly severe cases, the attending physician may prescribe the use of three tablets (or sixty milligrams of the active substance) at a time, twice a day. This is the largest daily dose of the drug allowed by the manufacturer and medical specialists.
We examined how to take “Cordipine (20 mg)”.
The instructions for use of the following drug - “Cordipina ChL” (dosage of nifedipine - forty milligrams) says that the drug should be taken one tablet once a day, less often - two tablets once a day or one tablet twice a day.
As you can see, a specific schedule of admission, individually suitable for a particular patient and his disease, can only be prescribed by the attending physician.
General tips
How to take pills? According to the instructions, this should be done immediately after eating. Tablets should not be chewed. They must be swallowed with water in an amount of two hundred milliliters.
If the patient has missed taking the drug, then you can not take a double dose of the drug. It is recommended that you continue taking the pills as scheduled.
Effect on the body
Gradually released from the membrane, nifedipine is almost instantly absorbed into the bloodstream and begins its activity. The approximate activity time of the substance is 24 hours.
It is excreted in processed form through urine (about 70, even 80%) and feces (a little more than ten percent). Only one percent (or even less) of the substance is excreted through the urine unchanged.
So, we have studied in sufficient detail the scope of “Cordipine”. Let's talk about contraindications now.
When you can not prescribe a remedy
First of all, it should be remembered that the patient may have individual intolerance to nifedipine. In this case, the drug is better not to prescribe.
It is also forbidden to take the drug for such severe forms of cardiovascular ailments as cardiogenic shock, aortic stenosis, heart failure, collapse, and also if a person has low blood pressure (in such cases, the systolic (or upper) indicator may be lower than 90 millimeters of mercury )
Pregnancy and lactation
At this unique time for every woman, it is strictly forbidden to take nifedipine-based drugs, since the substance is capable of exerting a toxic effect on the fetus, as well as being absorbed into breast milk. There is an opinion that “Cordipine” is undesirable only in the first trimester. However, recently, doctors are increasingly refusing treatment with future and lactating mothers with nifedipine.
When to take with caution
“Cordipine” is carefully prescribed for such ailments as any diseases of the kidneys and liver, diabetes mellitus, myocardial infarction, tachycardia, bowel obstruction, stroke, and so on. In these cases, it is best to carry out nifedipine therapy in a hospital setting, under close supervision of medical personnel.
This recommendation applies to elderly patients, since the drug can adversely affect the blood supply to the brain of such patients.
Another warning is the young age of the patient, since the effect of nifedipine on the growing body has not yet been studied.
Can I drive a car while taking Cordipine? As experts recommend, in the first days of treatment it is best to abandon a seat while driving, since the use of the drug can cause unexpected side effects. If the use of the drug proceeds quite easily and without negative symptoms, then the person himself can decide whether to drive him a car on his own or not.
But can negative effects occur during treatment with nifedipine?
Negative body reaction
Yes, “Cordipine” can provoke unexpected side effects caused by the individual sensitivity of the patient to the action of the active substance.
For example, the reaction of the cardiovascular system to nifedipine can occur in the form of arrhythmias, edema of the lower extremities, a sensation of heat and redness on the skin. Less often, seizures provoked by angina may intensify.
The organs of the gastrointestinal tract can also be affected by the side effects of the drug. In this case, the patient will be disturbed by heartburn, loose stools, nausea, increased appetite, less often - liver dysfunction.
From the side of the central nervous system, especially after prolonged use of Cordipine, headaches or muscle pains, trembling of the extremities, insomnia, and fatigue can be observed. Sometimes taking the drug can provoke depression, an uncontrolled feeling of anxiety, difficulty in swallowing saliva.
Very rarely, skin rashes, impaired renal function, bronchospasm and pulmonary edema, weight gain and the like can be found as a “side effect”.
How is an overdose of the drug manifested?
What if I took a lot
If a large amount of nifedipine has been taken orally, this can adversely affect the well-being and human health. Firstly, blood pressure can drop sharply. The situation may be accompanied by headache or dizziness.
Secondly, the patient can feel the heartbeat, feel the redness of the face and confusion. All this can lead to a prolonged coma.
In order to prevent anything like this, it is necessary to remove the drug from the body (that is, rinse the stomach, clean the intestines, take activated charcoal). In severe cases, calcium preparations are administered intravenously (ten percent solution of calcium gluconate or calcium chloride).
How to take with other medicines
Here is what you need to know about the interaction of “Cordipine” with other drugs:
- The use of drugs to lower blood pressure enhances the antihypertensive effect of the active substance. These drugs include diuretics, inhibitors and beta-blockers.
- Some antifungal and antiallergic drugs may enhance the effects of nifedipine.
- Means, in which calcium is present, reduce the effectiveness of “Cordipine”.
- During the use of dioxin, it must be taken into account that nifedipine is able to interfere with the excretion of this substance from the body and contribute to an increase in its amount in plasma.
- It is not recommended to take "Rifampicin" with "Cordipine", as this will reduce the effectiveness of the latter.
Alcohol and other products
Drinking alcohol is contraindicated during treatment with nifedipine, since ethanol can enhance the effects of the drug and lead to a sharp decrease in pressure and the associated negative reactions.
Grapefruit juice is also a contraindication in the treatment of Cordipine, as it reduces the effect of the active substance.
Analogs of “Cordipine”
Instructions for use with this medicinal product indicate the name of the active substance and its scope. What drugs have similar properties to Cordipine?
First of all, it is:
- “Cordaflex RD”.
- Corinfar Retard.
- Calcigard Retard.
- "Nyfekard".
- “Osmo-Adalat”.
These funds differ from each other in the dosage of the main active substance (nifedipine), as well as the manufacturer. All of them relate to drugs that block calcium channels, and are tablets without a pronounced taste and smell, coated.
To prescribe one or another remedy listed above, only the attending cardiologist can.
And finally
So, we found out what the classic “Cordipine” is, as well as its derivatives - “Cordipin Retard” and “Cordipin CL”. Instructions for the use of these drugs show that they differ from each other in the dosage of the active substance and are prescribed for serious pathologies of the cardiovascular system (arterial hypertension, various kinds of angina pectoris, Raynaud's disease). And judging by the reviews of satisfied consumers, the effect of the drug is simply amazing.
However, its use, according to reviews, it is important to carry out under the supervision of the attending physician, since nifedipine, in addition to a positive effect on the body, can cause many more negative reactions. Moreover, the substance does not combine with some drugs of a different orientation and has a wide range of contraindications.
The main warning of the use of “Cordipine” is pregnancy, lactation, age up to eighteen years, some cardiac pathologies and low blood pressure. With caution, the drug is prescribed to people of advanced age, suffering from diabetes, bowel obstruction and other serious chronic ailments (including diseases associated with impaired renal and liver function).
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