A further smaller study did show an increased risk of miscarriage in women using CCBs, but the information in this study was not analysed using the most accurate method. There are no published studies on miscarriage rates in women using specific CCBs.
Although the results of the larger study are reassuring, CCBs were assessed as a group and further studies of specific CCBs using accurate analysis methods are required. Overall, the data from a number of small studies does not indicate that use of nifedipine in pregnancy increases the risk of stillbirth.
However, further research into this subject is required as stillbirth rates have been studied in a relatively small number of pregnant women using nifedipine and there is currently no information on other CCBs.
It is not currently possible to say whether use of CCBs in pregnancy increases the risk of preterm birth or low birth weight in the baby, as the available published studies mainly consist of trials where the medicines were given to pregnant women who often had serious medical conditions and only for a short period just before the birth of the baby. Further studies of pregnant women who took CCBs for longer periods are therefore required to answer these questions.
Three small studies that have investigated whether children aged between 18 months and 12 years who were exposed in the womb to nifedipine were at increased risk of learning and behavioural problems compared to children not exposed to nifedipine. All produced reassuring results. However, larger studies that assess other aspects of learning and behaviour, including in children exposed in the womb to individual CCBs, are required.
There is no evidence that taking a CCB during pregnancy causes any problems that would require extra monitoring of your baby. However, pregnant women with high blood pressure and some of the other conditions that CCBs are used to treat might receive extra monitoring during pregnancy to ensure that they remain healthy and that the baby is growing and developing as expected.
Although CCBs do not appear to be harmful to a developing baby it is always a good idea to let your doctor know that you are pregnant or if you have taken any medicines. You can decide together whether you still need the medicines that you are on and to make sure that you are taking the lowest dose that works. We paid particular attention to methods of animal research and recent clinical evaluations. Conclusions: The dihydropyridine group of calcium channel blockers type II calcium blockers and, specifically, nifedipine are safe for use in pregnancy.
They have little teratogenic or fetotoxic potential. Nifedipine's mechanism of action is through smooth-muscle relaxation secondary to blockage of the slow calcium channels into the cells.
There are some other possible uses of nifedipine. It's sometimes used as a treatment for:. If you're not sure why you're taking nifedipine, or whether it's the right medicine for you, speak to your doctor or pharmacist. However, some types of hormonal methods of contraception, like the combined pill and contraceptive patch , are not usually recommended for women with high blood pressure. Talk to your doctor if you're taking combined hormonal contraceptives.
There's no clear evidence to suggest that taking nifedipine will reduce fertility in either men or women. If you're trying for a baby, or having problems conceiving while on nifedipine, then speak to your doctor. Nifedipine can make some people feel dizzy. If this happens to you, do not drive a car, ride a bike, or use tools or machinery until you feel better. You can boost the health of your heart by making some key lifestyle changes.
These will also help if you have high blood pressure or angina. Page last reviewed: 18 December Next review due: 18 December Nifedipine On this page About nifedipine Key facts Who can and cannot take nifedipine How and when to take it Side effects How to cope with side effects Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions.
About nifedipine Nifedipine is a medicine used to treat high blood pressure. The medicine is only available on prescription. Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today? Nifedipine lowers your blood pressure and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body. The most common side effects include headache, flushing, constipation, feeling tired and swollen ankles.
These usually improve after a few days of treatment. Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you're taking nifedipine. It can make side effects worse. Nifedipine is not suitable for some people.
To make sure nifedipine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you: have had an allergic reaction to nifedipine or any other medicine in the past are trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or you are breastfeeding have liver disease have any heart problems other than high blood pressure , including a recent heart attack , heart failure or unstable angina have diabetes.
Dosage Your dose of nifedipine depends on why you need the medicine and what kind your doctor has prescribed. Depending on why you're taking nifedipine, the usual starting dose is: short acting capsules or liquid: 5mg 3 times a day every 8 hours long acting tablets or capsules: 10mg twice a day every 12 hours or 20 to 30mg once a day every 24 hours, preferably in the morning If a doctor prescribes it for your child, the dose will usually be lower.
Will my dose go up or down? The usual maximum doses of nifedipine are: short acting capsules or liquid: 20mg 3 times a day total of 60mg a day long acting capsules or tablets: 40mg twice a day or 90mg once a day total of 80mg or 90mg a day How to take it Take your nifedipine capsule or tablet as soon as you've taken it out of the blister pack.
Important Take nifedipine even if you feel well, as you will still be getting the benefits of the medicine. What if I forget to take it? If you forget to take a dose and you usually take nifedipine: 3 times a day: leave out that dose and take your next dose at the usual time. In this case leave out the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.
Never take a double dose to make up for a forgotten one. What if I take too much? Common side effects These common side effects happen in more than 1 in people. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if the side effects bother you or last for more than a few days: headaches dizziness flushing a pounding heartbeat swollen ankles constipation Serious side effects Serious side effects after taking nifedipine are rare and happen in less than 1 in 1, people.
Stop taking nifedipine and tell a doctor straight away if you get: yellow skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow — these can be signs of liver problems chest pain that is new or worse — this side effect needs to be checked out as chest pain is a possible symptom of a heart attack Serious allergic reaction In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to nifedipine.
Information: You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme. Visit Yellow Card for further information. What to do about : headaches — make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Do not drink too much alcohol.
Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller for a headache. Paracetamol is safe to take with nifedipine. Headaches should usually go away after the first week of taking nifedipine. Talk to your doctor if they last longer than a week or are severe. It might help to keep the room cool and use a fan. You could also spray your face with cool water or sip cold or iced drinks. The flushing should go away after a few days, so try to carry on taking nifedipine for this time.
If it does not go away or is causing you problems, contact your doctor. It might also help to cut down on alcohol, smoking, caffeine and big meals as these can make the problem worse.
If you are still having problems after a week or so speak to your doctor as they may need to change you to a different type of medicine. Try to exercise regularly , for example by going for a daily walk or run. It's ok to occasionally use a laxative. Nifedipine and breastfeeding Small amounts of nifedipine may get into breast milk, but it's generally considered safe for breastfeeding mothers and babies. Non-urgent advice: Tell your doctor if you're:.
Sometimes it is used to stop labor before 37 weeks of pregnancy preterm delivery. Studies have not been done to see if nifedipine could make it harder for a person to get pregnant. Talk with your healthcare provider s before making any changes in how you take this medication.
It is important to make sure any medical conditions you have are treated, especially during pregnancy. Uncontrolled high blood pressure during pregnancy can cause pregnancy complications. Miscarriage can occur in any pregnancy. Two studies reported a higher number of miscarriages in pregnancies exposed to calcium channel blockers, such as nifedipine, when compared to pregnancies not exposed to calcium channel blockers.
However, the rate of miscarriage among women using calcium channel blockers in the studies was not higher than that of the general population. It is possible the miscarriages could be related to the disease being treated rather than the medication. Does taking nifedipine increase the chance of having a baby with a birth defect? This is called the background risk. No well-controlled studies looking at the use of nifedipine in pregnancy have been done.
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