Apo-Nifed

Apo-Nifed: use, side effects and interactions with other drugs

Apo-Nifed is a drug belonging to the dihydropyridine group of calcium channel blockers. Its active ingredient is nifedipine. This drug is used to treat hypertension, hypertensive crisis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, angina (including Prinzmetal's angina), Raynaud's disease, pulmonary hypertension, and broncho-obstructive syndrome.

Apo-Nifed is manufactured in Canada by Apotex Inc. and is available as 5 mg and 10 mg capsules. It is synonymous with such drugs as Adalat, Vero-Nifedipine, Cordafen, Cordipine and others.

Like all medicines, Apo-Nifed can cause side effects, which can range from mild to serious. Side effects that may occur when taking Apo-Nifed include:

1. From the cardiovascular system and blood: facial flushing with a feeling of heat, palpitations, tachycardia, hypotension (up to fainting), angina-like pain, anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, thrombocytopenic purpura.

2. From the nervous system and sensory organs: dizziness, headache, stupor, changes in visual perception, impaired sensitivity in the arms and legs.

3. From the gastrointestinal tract: constipation, nausea, diarrhea, gingival hyperplasia (with long-term treatment), increased activity of liver transaminases.

4. From the respiratory system: bronchospasm.

5. From the musculoskeletal system: myalgia, tremor.

6. Allergic reactions: itching, urticaria, exanthema, exfoliative dermatitis.

7. Other: swelling and redness of the arms and legs, photodermatitis, hyperglycemia, gynecomastia (in elderly patients), burning sensation at the injection site (with intravenous administration).

In addition, Apo-Nifed may interact with other medications, which may increase or decrease its effect and increase the risk of side effects. Some of the drugs that may interact with Apo-Nifed include:

1. Antibiotics of the macrolide group (erythromycin, clarithromycin), which can increase the concentration of Apo-Nifed in the blood and enhance its effect.

2. Medicines that reduce blood pressure (for example, beta blockers, diuretics), which can enhance the hypotensive effect of Apo-Nifed and lead to a decrease in blood pressure to dangerously low values.

3. Medicines that increase blood pressure (for example, narcotic analgesics, sympathomimetics), which can weaken the hypotensive effect of Apo-Nifed and lead to an increase in blood pressure.

4. Medicines metabolized by the liver (for example, cimetidine), which can slow down the metabolism of Apo-Nifed and increase its concentration in the blood.

5. Medicines that increase the acidity of the stomach (for example, antacids), which may reduce the bioavailability of Apo-Nifed when taken orally.

6. Medicines that increase the risk of bleeding (eg, aspirin, heparin), which may enhance the antithrombotic effect of Apo-Nifed and lead to bleeding.

7. Medicines that increase blood sugar (for example, glucocorticosteroids), which can enhance the hyperglycemic effect of Apo-Nifed.

Before you start taking Apo-Nifed, you must consult your doctor and inform him about all the medications you are taking, as well as about the presence of any diseases and allergic reactions. It is not recommended to exceed the recommended dose of the drug and the duration of its use without consulting a doctor.