Nifedipine
BASICS: DOSAGE:
• Antihypertensive - Ca+ channel blocker • Nifedipine - Fast release - 5mg or 10mg
capsule - stat dose (Trust A, 2018)
• Used in hypertensive crisis, hypertensive
disorder and as myometrial relaxant • Nifedipine Slow release - 10mg stat dose
(EMC 2017)
• POM—must be prescribed by a doctor
• Then, 20-80mg daily divided into 12 hours
• Also used to prevent preterm labour
apart
• Presentation = soft capsules, tablets
• Maximum daily dose 80mg
(modified or prolonged release) varying
dosages depending on manufacturer
CONTRAINDICATIONS: GUIDELINES:
• Continuous use in pregnancy • Consider nifedipine only when labetalol is
• Not to be used before 20 weeks - toxicity and not tolerated or contraindicated (NICE
teratogenicity 2019)
• Hypotensive effect can reduce placental blood • BP profile (every 10 mins for 30 mins)
flow needed when first prescribed to monitor
• Hypersensitivity for rapid drop in BP (Trust A, 2018)
SIDE EFFECTS: • Manufacturer advises against use in
• Headache, flushing, dizziness, oedema, may pregnancy and breastfeeding (NICE 2019)
inhibit labour, postural hypotension
PHARMACODYNAMICS: RISK TO FETUS/NEONATE/BREASTFEEDING:
• Selective calcium channel blocker with mostly • Hypotensive effect can reduce placental
vascular effects blood flow—decrease in fetal oxygenation
• Relaxes smooth arterial muscle, causing • Some reports of toxicity and teratogenicity to
arteries to dilate, therefore reducing the fetus however very limited evidence after
resistance in the coronary and peripheral
20 weeks
circulation
• Transferred into breastmilk - not known to
• This reduces blood pressure and therefore the
cause harm however to reduce intake amount
hearts overall workload
for baby, it is recommended to wait 3-4 hours
• Eliminated 60-80% in urine, the rest is excreted in
after administration to feed (EMC 2017)
the faeces as metabolites
BASICS: DOSAGE:
• Antihypertensive - Ca+ channel blocker • Nifedipine - Fast release - 5mg or 10mg
capsule - stat dose (Trust A, 2018)
• Used in hypertensive crisis, hypertensive
disorder and as myometrial relaxant • Nifedipine Slow release - 10mg stat dose
(EMC 2017)
• POM—must be prescribed by a doctor
• Then, 20-80mg daily divided into 12 hours
• Also used to prevent preterm labour
apart
• Presentation = soft capsules, tablets
• Maximum daily dose 80mg
(modified or prolonged release) varying
dosages depending on manufacturer
CONTRAINDICATIONS: GUIDELINES:
• Continuous use in pregnancy • Consider nifedipine only when labetalol is
• Not to be used before 20 weeks - toxicity and not tolerated or contraindicated (NICE
teratogenicity 2019)
• Hypotensive effect can reduce placental blood • BP profile (every 10 mins for 30 mins)
flow needed when first prescribed to monitor
• Hypersensitivity for rapid drop in BP (Trust A, 2018)
SIDE EFFECTS: • Manufacturer advises against use in
• Headache, flushing, dizziness, oedema, may pregnancy and breastfeeding (NICE 2019)
inhibit labour, postural hypotension
PHARMACODYNAMICS: RISK TO FETUS/NEONATE/BREASTFEEDING:
• Selective calcium channel blocker with mostly • Hypotensive effect can reduce placental
vascular effects blood flow—decrease in fetal oxygenation
• Relaxes smooth arterial muscle, causing • Some reports of toxicity and teratogenicity to
arteries to dilate, therefore reducing the fetus however very limited evidence after
resistance in the coronary and peripheral
20 weeks
circulation
• Transferred into breastmilk - not known to
• This reduces blood pressure and therefore the
cause harm however to reduce intake amount
hearts overall workload
for baby, it is recommended to wait 3-4 hours
• Eliminated 60-80% in urine, the rest is excreted in
after administration to feed (EMC 2017)
the faeces as metabolites
