Nifcard 20 mg Tablet SR

Nifcard 20 mg Tablet SR contains 20 mg of nifedipine in each sustained-release tablet. Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker used to help lower blood pressure and treat certain heart-related problems by relaxing blood vessels. Nifcard 20 mg Tablet SR may also be used to reduce chest pain (angina) in people who need a long-acting nifedipine medicine. Because it is a sustained-release tablet, it is designed to release medicine gradually over time rather than all at once.

How it works: Nifedipine blocks calcium from entering the muscle cells in blood vessel walls, which helps the vessels relax and widen. In tablet form, Nifcard 20 mg Tablet SR releases nifedipine gradually so its blood pressure and anti-angina effect lasts longer through the day.

Nifcard 20 mg Tablet SR is a standard sustained-release strength for people whose doctor has decided they need nifedipine 20 mg in a controlled-release form. Compared with immediate-release nifedipine, this tablet is meant for steadier coverage and is not intended for sudden symptom relief. A doctor may choose Nifcard 20 mg Tablet SR when a once- or twice-daily maintenance option is appropriate and a slower, smoother effect is preferred.

• High blood pressure
• Angina (chest pain)
• Raynaud's phenomenon, when prescribed
• Long-acting blood vessel relaxation

• Swallow Nifcard 20 mg Tablet SR whole with water; do not crush, chew, or split it.
• Take it exactly as prescribed, at the same time each day if your doctor has set a regular schedule.
• You can take it with or without food, but try to take it the same way each day.
• Do not take extra tablets if you miss a dose; follow your prescriber’s instructions for a missed dose.
• Stand up slowly after taking it, especially when starting treatment, because it can lower blood pressure.
• Do not use this sustained-release tablet for fast relief of sudden chest pain unless your doctor has specifically told you to.

Each Nifcard 20 mg Tablet SR provides 20 mg of nifedipine. The exact dosing schedule varies by the condition being treated and the patient’s response, and a doctor may prescribe it once or twice daily, with a maximum total daily dose set by the prescriber. Do not change the dose on your own, because this strength is a maintenance-strength sustained-release tablet that should be individualized by a clinician.

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

Common side effects of Nifedipine may include:

• Headache
• Flushing
• Dizziness or lightheadedness, which may be more noticeable when starting Nifcard 20 mg Tablet SR
• Swelling of the ankles or feet
• Feeling tired
• Nausea
• Constipation

• Use caution if you already have heart disease, very low blood pressure, or heart failure.
• Nifcard 20 mg Tablet SR can cause dizziness, so be careful when driving or standing up quickly.
• Alcohol may increase flushing, dizziness, or low blood pressure.
• Do not combine it with nitrates or other blood pressure medicines unless your doctor has reviewed the combination.
• Tell your doctor if you have liver disease, because nifedipine may need closer monitoring.
• Avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice unless your prescriber says it is okay, because it can raise nifedipine levels.
• This 20 mg sustained-release strength may be too strong for some people starting treatment, so use only as directed by a doctor.

• Nitrates such as nitroglycerin
• Beta-blockers such as metoprolol or propranolol
• Other blood pressure medicines
• CYP3A4 inhibitors such as clarithromycin, ketoconazole, or ritonavir
• Grapefruit or grapefruit juice

Store Nifcard 20 mg Tablet SR at room temperature in its original strip or box, away from moisture, heat, and light.