CALCIgard 5 mg Capsule

CALCIgard 5 mg Capsule contains nifedipine 5 mg in each capsule. It belongs to a class of medicines called calcium channel blockers, which help relax blood vessels and reduce the heart’s workload. CALCIgard 5 mg Capsule is used to treat high blood pressure and certain types of chest pain (angina). In some patients, nifedipine may also be prescribed for other heart- or vessel-related conditions when a doctor decides it is appropriate.

How it works: Nifedipine helps the muscles in blood vessel walls relax, so blood can flow more easily and blood pressure can come down. In capsule form, CALCIgard 5 mg Capsule delivers nifedipine as a swallowable oral dose that works through the digestive system.

CALCIgard 5 mg Capsule is a low-dose nifedipine option, which can be useful when a doctor wants a smaller starting amount or a gentle dose adjustment. Because this strength is lower than many maintenance doses, it may suit people who are more sensitive to blood pressure lowering or who need careful titration based on response.

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Chest pain from angina
• Vessel relaxation when prescribed by a doctor
• Blood pressure control as part of a treatment plan

• Swallow CALCIgard 5 mg Capsule exactly as prescribed; do not take more than your doctor recommends.
• Take it at the same times each day if you are using it regularly.
• Swallow the capsule whole with water unless your prescriber or the package directions say otherwise.
• Do not crush, chew, or open the capsule unless a healthcare professional tells you to.
• You may be advised to take it with or without food, but be consistent from dose to dose.
• Stand up slowly after taking it, especially when starting treatment, because it can lower blood pressure.

Each CALCIgard 5 mg Capsule provides 5 mg of nifedipine. The number of capsules per day and how often to take them depend on the condition being treated, your blood pressure or angina pattern, and your doctor’s instructions; the exact maximum daily dose is decided by the prescriber for each patient. Because this is a 5 mg capsule, it is a lower-strength nifedipine product and is often used when careful dose selection is needed.

Do not change your dose or stop the medicine without speaking to your doctor.

Common side effects of Nifedipine may include:

• Flushing or feeling warm
• Headache
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Swelling of the ankles or feet
• Fast heartbeat or palpitations
• Nausea
• Constipation

• Use extra caution when standing up quickly, especially after the first doses of CALCIgard 5 mg Capsule.
• Tell your doctor if you have heart failure, a recent heart attack, very low blood pressure, or severe aortic stenosis.
• Avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice unless your doctor says it is okay, because it can raise nifedipine levels.
• Alcohol may increase dizziness or blood pressure lowering.
• Do not use with nitrates or erectile dysfunction medicines unless your prescriber has reviewed the combination.
• Use caution when driving or operating machinery until you know how CALCIgard 5 mg Capsule affects you.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding before using nifedipine.

• Grapefruit and grapefruit juice
• Nitrates such as nitroglycerin or isosorbide
• Blood pressure medicines that may add to dizziness or low blood pressure
• Certain antibiotics or antifungals that can raise nifedipine levels
• Other heart medicines, including beta blockers, may need monitoring

Store CALCIgard 5 mg Capsule at room temperature in its original strip/box, away from moisture, heat, and direct light.