| drug name | Felodipine |
| classification | Calcium Channel Blocker, Dihydropyridine type |
| pharmacokinetics | | absorption | Rapidly absorbed after oral administration, peak plasma concentrations reached within 1-3 hours. | | distribution | Extensively distributed throughout the body, with high concentrations in the heart and blood vessels. | | metabolism | Metabolized primarily in the liver, primarily by CYP3A4. | | excretion | Excreted primarily in the urine as metabolites. |
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| suggested dosage | | initial | 5 mg orally once daily | | maintenance | 5-10 mg orally once daily or divided doses, up to a maximum of 20 mg daily. | | patient specific details | Dosage adjustments may be needed depending on individual patient response and tolerance. A healthcare professional should determine the appropriate dosage. |
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| indications | | 1 | Essential hypertension | | 2 | Angina pectoris | | 3 | Raynaud's phenomenon |
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| safety in pregnancy | | category rating | Category C | | description | Felodipine should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Limited data is available on the use of felodipine in human pregnancy. |
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| safety in breastfeeding | | description | Felodipine is excreted in human milk, but it is not known if it will have any effect on the infant. The decision to continue or discontinue breastfeeding should be made by the mother and her healthcare provider, taking into account the potential benefits of breastfeeding versus the potential risks to the infant from the medication. |
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| side effects | | 1 | Peripheral edema | | 2 | Headache | | 3 | Flushing | | 4 | Dizziness | | 5 | Fatigue | | 6 | Palpitations | | 7 | Hypotension | | 8 | Gastrointestinal upset | | 9 | Tachycardia (in some cases) | | 10 | Constipation | | 11 | Nasal congestion |
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| alternatives | |
| contraindications | | 1 | Severe hypotension | | 2 | Hypersensitivity to felodipine or other dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers | | 3 | Severe heart failure (uncontrolled) |
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| interactions | | 1 | Grapefruit juice can increase felodipine levels, potentially increasing side effects. | | 2 | CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, erythromycin) may increase felodipine levels. | | 3 | CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., rifampin, phenytoin) may decrease felodipine levels. | | 4 | Certain drugs for heart conditions (e.g., digoxin, beta blockers) |
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| warnings and precautions | | 1 | May cause dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when starting therapy. Patient should be advised to avoid activities requiring mental alertness until they know how they respond to the medication | | 2 | Monitor blood pressure closely, especially in the first few weeks of therapy. Dosage adjustments may be necessary | | 3 | Caution should be exercised in patients with pre-existing liver or kidney dysfunction | | 4 | In patients with severe aortic stenosis, felodipine should be used with caution |
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| additional information | | 1 | Felodipine is usually administered once daily to maintain a therapeutic level. However, in some cases, divided dosing may be necessary. | | 2 | Patients should be advised to report any unusual symptoms or changes in their health to their healthcare provider immediately | | 3 | This information is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Consult with a healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment. |
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| patient specific details | | age | 25 years | | weight | 70 kg | | comment | These details are only for informational purposes and don't constitute medical advice. A doctor should determine dosage and treatment plan for individual patient. |
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