Doctors often call vascular diseases a real scourge of the twenty-first century. Even young people face such a problem as high blood pressure, and when ignoring the disease, it often leads to a hypertensive crisis. If you do not help such a person in time, then the probability of death is high. In the best case, there will be a stroke, the consequences of which in each case cannot be predicted even by doctors.
Therefore, it is very important when taking symptoms such as high blood pressure, pain behind the sternum, a sharp darkening in the eyes and excessive sweating to take immediate measures. In such cases, you need to turn to drugs, whose effect will be noticeable within fifteen to twenty minutes after administration. Their doctors often call an ambulance and are advised to have it in their home medicine cabinet. Among these funds, Nifedipine Retard stands out, which is considered one of the best drugs in this group. He receives a lot of positive reviews from patients of different ages. Doctors also have a high opinion of him, so many users are often interested in the drug. From our article you will learn about the characteristics of the drug, indications, side effects and all the information indicated in the instructions for use. We will also definitely consider the analogues of Nifedipine Retard, since often patients are looking for means that can replace the original medicine without loss of effectiveness.
Short description of the medicine
Doctors attribute Nifedipine Retard primarily to hypotensive drugs, so it is widely used in vascular therapy and cardiology. In these industries, the drug has been used for almost fifty years. As a calcium channel blocker, it is very effective and is prescribed even for the elderly.
In recent years, judging by the reviews, Nifedipine Retard has found its niche in gynecology. It is often prescribed in the second trimester of pregnancy in order to reduce the risk of premature birth. As it turned out, the drug is suitable for the rapid removal of uterine hypertonicity. Doctors prescribe these pills and in cases where a woman expecting a baby suffers from high blood pressure. However, in gynecology, the drug is used very carefully, since the slightest excess of the dosage can cause significant harm to the baby.
In the case of Nifedipine Retard, self-medication is extremely dangerous. Pills are considered very strong, they cause a large number of adverse reactions and should be taken strictly according to the scheme, so only a specialist can take responsibility and prescribe this drug.
I would also like to note that in the market of medical products there are quite a lot of analogues of Nifedipine. The instructions for use indicate that its main active substance is quite common. Medicines based on it are available in large quantities and under various brand names. Therefore, in pharmacies you can find absolutely identical means, but under different names. The cost of tablets also depends on the manufacturer.
Drug action
Why is Nifedipine prescribed? This question is often asked by patients, but having found out the whole range of indications, few people think about how high efficiency is achieved and how the drug acts on the human body. But in reality, this information is important in order to understand the features of this tool and correctly apply it, for example, in an emergency.
The instructions for use of "Nifedipine Retard" indicate that even with the initial intake, it has a wide range of effects on the patient's body. Thanks to this medicine, the heart rate becomes less frequent, and blood flow, on the contrary, increases. Due to this, the need for heart muscle in the flow of oxygen is reduced. In parallel, the drug has a vasodilating effect and relaxes the smooth muscles of the vessels. Gynecologists very successfully use this when they prescribe a remedy to pregnant women.
Literally in the first paragraphs of the instructions for use with Nifedipine Retard, it is indicated that it can be used for chronic diseases and acute attacks requiring immediate removal. Therefore, the medicine is equally often drunk as an independent remedy and in combination with other drugs. The use of Nifedipine Retard is also justified in cases such as pain behind the sternum and high blood pressure. Moreover, arterial hypertension can be chronic or caused by stress, weather changes and other factors.
A distinctive feature of Nifedipine Retard (indicated in the instructions for tablets) is its ability to restore cells after an ischemic stroke. Thus, the patient goes through the rehabilitation period much faster and returns to normal life.
Pharmacology and pharmacokinetics
Focusing on the information set out in the instructions for "Nifedipine" (analogues of the drug sold under other brands have properties identical to the original), we can say that it acts by blocking calcium channels in cell membranes. Due to this, their activity is gradually dying away, and a natural consequence of this process is a decrease in the release of calcium ions into blood vessels, muscles and arteries. Such an effect leads to normalization of blood circulation in the heart muscle, a decrease in pressure and increased blood flow.
It is noteworthy that in the body the accumulation of the components of the drug does not occur. When taking the pill inside, the result occurs within fifteen minutes, in rare cases, the waiting period for the effect can be increased to twenty minutes. Almost ninety percent of the components of the drug are absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. The bioavailability of the drug reaches sixty percent, but in order to increase this figure, it is necessary to combine taking tablets with food. In this case, the therapeutic effect occurs faster and lasts longer.
The maximum percentage of the drug in the blood is reached within three hours. Metabolism occurs in the liver, and decomposition products are excreted from the body through the kidneys. On average, the excretion process takes about a day when taking the minimum dosage into account.
Product release form
"Nifedipine Retard" is used quite widely. First of all, its relevance in medicine is affected by high efficiency and a short period of onset of the therapeutic effect. In addition, the manufacturer made sure that the drug was delivered to pharmacies in different forms of release. This also makes it more popular with specialists and patients.
According to the prescription "Nifedipine Retard" you can buy in the following types:
- Balloons. If you suffer from high blood pressure and seizures happen suddenly, then you definitely need to carry the Nifedipine tablets. It tastes pretty good and resolves almost instantly. This form is able to stop the attack in just ten minutes.
- Solution. In this form, the drug is injected into a vein and is used only in medical institutions.
- Composition in a syringe. This form is intended for intracoronary administration and is used by specialists in a hospital.
- Gel. In pharmacies, this type of "Nifedipine" is not common. The instructions for use with the gel indicate that it is indicated in complex therapy in the treatment of hemorrhoids.
- Tablets.
The last form of release is used as widely as possible, since it is much more convenient for patients to drink tablets than to give injections in the course. To date, "Nifedipine Retard" in tablets is available in two forms:
- Standard. Similar pills are prescribed to those patients who suffer from high blood pressure from time to time. They need Nifedipine for urgent normalization of pressure and relief of pain. Often it is accompanied by a hypertensive crisis.
- Prolonged action. This type is suitable for those who are forced to take pills on an ongoing basis. They are usually prescribed to patients diagnosed with arterial hypertension and coronary heart disease. It is quite easy to choose the right treatment regimen for the drug, as Nifedipine Retard is available in different dosages.
Since it is tablets that are most often prescribed to patients, then in the article we will talk specifically about them.
The composition of the drug
“Nifedipine Retard” (we will talk about analogues of the drug a little later) has a rather complicated composition. This is especially true for the tablet form of release, the list of its components exceeds ten points.
The main component of the drug is nifedipine. The chemical substance was synthesized artificially and today is used in the production of a large number of medicines intended for use in cardiology.
Among a large number of auxiliary components, talc, povidone, magnesium stearate, milk sugar, starch, glycerol and macrogol can be distinguished. Before starting treatment, the patient must find out if he has lactose tolerance. Otherwise, milk sugar will cause digestive problems and an allergic reaction. Moreover, in both situations, the effectiveness of the drug will be reduced.
Nifedipine Retard tablets are round and convex on both sides. The color of the tablets is close to bright yellow, but other shades of yellow are also allowed - from light to dark. The shell is distinguished by its glossy gloss; it has no scratch for dividing.
If we talk about the dosage of the drug, then it is quite diverse. Most often, doctors prescribe Nifedipine Retard 20 mg and 10 mg. Five blister packs are on sale. Each contains ten tablets.
I want to add that the tablets in the shell have a prolonged effect. If you need this drug to relieve acute attacks, then prefer the usual form of release or dragee.
Indications for use
How to take "Nifedipine" correctly, we will tell in the next section of the article, and now we will discuss indications that may cause the appointment of this potent medicine.
The main problem that the drug helps to cope with is hypertension. But, in addition to direct use, the drug is effective in diseases caused by high blood pressure or associated with it. Patients should understand that they themselves can not start drinking pills in any case. The fact of arterial hypertension should be determined by the doctor, and this is done after a thorough diagnostic examination. It is strictly forbidden even once to take the remedy for hypotensive patients at the stage of an attack. This can lead to serious consequences.
The instructions for use do not provide information on which indications of a tonometer require treatment with Nifedipine. These are purely individual indicators and recommendations on them are given only by a doctor.
The instructions for the tablets indicate coronary heart disease. Pills also relieve symptoms of angina pectoris, cardiopulmonary insufficiency and Raynaud's syndrome.
Doctors have long outlined a range of problems, the identification of which is prescribed "Nifedipine Retard." These include atherosclerosis, bronchospasm, blockage of blood vessels, cerebrovascular accidents, and pulmonary hypertension. Moreover, this is not a complete list of diseases, but only the most common of them.
How to take Nifedipine for hypertensive crisis and is it necessary? Patients often ask such a question and this is the right tactic, because at high pressure, actions should be quick and accurate. In addition, patients suffering from hypertension should regularly take drugs that reduce blood pressure. Letting the disease drift is life-threatening. Therefore, subject to the treatment regimen, a hypertensive crisis is unlikely to occur. But if this still happened - is it possible to take "Nifedipine"?
Doctors, despite the absence of such an indication in the instructions for use, strongly recommend immediately taking a tablet of the drug at the slightest suspicion of a hypertensive crisis. The minimum dose should be ten milligrams, the maximum - thirty. The time interval between doses of tablets cannot be less than thirty minutes. Moreover, the patient should be in a prone position and regularly measure pressure.
List of contraindications
As well as side effects, the drug has quite a few contraindications. With a large number of diseases, the drug is incompatible and can cause serious harm to the body.
For example, children and adolescents are strictly forbidden to take Nifedipine Retard tablets. They are too aggressive for a fragile body, so the minimum age for prescribing is eighteen years.
It is worth abandoning this medicine to people with a history of diabetes, tachycardia and low blood pressure. Obvious contraindications are health problems such as a heart attack or pre-infarction condition, renal and hepatic insufficiency, high blood pressure caused by malignant neoplasms. In cases of cerebrovascular accident, the drug should also not be used. It can cause a worsening of the disease.
Side effects
Treatment with Nifedipine Retard can cause the most unexpected reactions of the body. Therefore, during the course admission, it is necessary to undergo examinations as often as possible, take tests and listen to your feelings. They will best tell you about the problems that arise during the treatment process.
The very first symptoms indicating that Nifedipine is not entirely suitable for the patient are nausea, lethargy, drowsiness, digestive problems and any allergic reactions. To these side effects can be added regular headaches, swelling, loss of orientation in space and the development of joint diseases.
Doctors also refer to a sharp decrease in pressure as negative reactions. This can happen after a single dose and already in the middle of the course of treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to seriously monitor blood pressure indicators.
Among the side effects, the development of kidney problems, impaired stool, tremors and angina are quite likely.
Features of taking the drug while the baby is waiting
Pregnancy is a special time when you need to be very careful about your health. Therefore, before taking each drug, it is worth several times to weigh the pros and cons. And especially when it comes to strong drugs that affect the development of the fetus.
In the first trimester, Nifedipine Retard is strictly contraindicated. But in the second and third trimesters, he can be appointed on the basis of evidence. Moreover, only a gynecologist who monitors a woman from the first weeks of pregnancy can make such an appointment.
Indications for taking these tablets are problems such as high blood pressure, increased uterine tone and various diseases of the heart and blood vessels, requiring constant medical support.
In all of the above cases, the treatment plan is worked out by the attending physician, who also writes out a prescription in Latin for Nifedipine Retard. It usually looks like this:
You must understand that for analogues of the original drug, the recipe may look the same way. This is due to the fact that almost all of them have an identical active substance - nifedipine. Corinfar Retard, for example, is an absolute analogue of the drug described by us. Therefore, the doctor writes a prescription for it in the same way. But back to the pregnant women.
If Nifedipin Retard is assigned to the expectant mother, then most often she is placed in a hospital. Since it should be under medical supervision.
Instructions for use
In the recommendation enclosed in the package of the medicine, it is noted that the doctor usually makes up the treatment regimen. It focuses on the patient's condition, but still adheres to the minimum and maximum dosage. Threshold concentration is thirty milligrams of active substance.
Drink a tablet with plenty of water. In this case, medication must be combined with food. Better if it is something light and fluid. For example, soup or porridge.
It is impossible to drink the drug with juice or soda, as the substances contained in the listed liquids are able to completely dissolve the tablet shell before the expected time.
Regardless of the disease, the minimum dosage of Nifedipine Retard should be twenty milligrams per day. Moreover, this amount must be divided into two methods.
The average course of treatment lasts about two months. The doctor can extend it or reduce it, focusing on the patient's tests. However, it is worth remembering that the drug has a withdrawal syndrome. You can’t immediately stop drinking pills, as the patient will notice a sharp deterioration in health. Cancellation should be gradual and invisible to the body.
Analogues of the drug
Nifedipine is a fairly affordable drug. Its price usually does not exceed one hundred rubles per package. But it is not always in pharmacies that you can buy this particular drug, so patients have to look for its analogues based on nifedipine.
Corinfar Retard is used by doctors no less than the original drug. It has an identical composition, indications and list of contraindications. Calcigard Retard is also effective (nifedipine is its main active ingredient). Often, cardiologists prescribe Adalat and Nifebene as analogues.