Nifedipine
Brand: Adalat (US/EU) / Nicardia (IN) / Nifedip (BD)
Antihypertensive
Calcium channel blocker (Dihydropyridine)
Pharmacokinetics
| Half-life | 2 hours |
| Tmax | 0.5 h |
| Bioavailability | 45 % (approx) |
| Protein Binding | 92 % |
| Volume of Distribution | 1.8 L/kg (approx) |
| Clearance Route | hepatic |
| Active Metabolites | no |
| Notes | Rapid onset and short duration; sustained-release formulations preferred to avoid reflex tachycardia and BP fluctuations. |
⚠️ Safety & Warnings
Severity: Moderate
Adverse Effects:
Headache, flushing, dizziness, ankle edema, reflex tachycardia
Contraindications:
Severe hypotension, cardiogenic shock, unstable angina
Precautions:
Avoid short-acting forms in CAD; monitor BP closely; use sustained-release preparation for chronic therapy