Kordafen

Cordafen: description, use, contraindications and side effects

Cordafen is a drug from the group of calcium channel blockers of the dihydropyridine group, the active substance of which is nifedipine. The drug is produced in Poland, at the pharmaceutical plants Polfa and Polpharma. Cordafen is used to treat arterial hypertension, prevent attacks of angina (including Prinzmetal's angina), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, Raynaud's disease, pulmonary hypertension and broncho-obstructive syndrome.

The drug is available in the form of film-coated tablets, the dosage of which is 10 mg. In addition, nifedipine is available under various trade names, such as Adalat, Anifed, Cordipin, Karin-Fer, etc.

Like any other medication, Cordafen has a number of contraindications and side effects. Contraindications include hypersensitivity to the drug, acute period of myocardial infarction, cardiogenic shock, severe aortic stenosis, heart failure in the stage of decompensation, severe arterial hypotension, tachycardia, pregnancy and breastfeeding. You should also refrain from using the drug in pediatric practice, since the safety and effectiveness of its use in children have not been determined.

Side effects may occur in the cardiovascular system and blood (facial flushing with a feeling of heat, palpitations, tachycardia, hypotension, angina-like pain, anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, thrombocytopenic purpura), nervous system and sensory organs (dizziness, headache , stupor, changes in visual perception, impaired sensitivity in the arms and legs), the gastrointestinal tract (constipation, nausea, diarrhea, gingival hyperplasia, increased activity of liver transaminases), the respiratory system (bronchial spasm) and the musculoskeletal system (myalgia, tremor). Allergic reactions, swelling and redness of the hands and feet, photodermatitis, hyperglycemia, gynecomastia in elderly patients, and a burning sensation at the injection site during intravenous administration may also occur.

The interaction of Cordafen with other drugs also requires caution. Thus, nitrates, phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, macrolide antibiotics and antihistamines can enhance the hypotensive effect of Cordafen, and drugs that reduce the activity of cytochrome P450 (for example, amprenavir, ketoconazole) can increase the concentration of nifedipine in the blood.

Before starting to use Cordafen, you should consult your doctor and strictly follow the recommendations for dosage and administration of the drug.