Has your doctor prescribed you a medicine for high blood pressure? If the name of that medicine is Nisoldipine, then this article will be very important for you. High blood pressure is a condition that silently damages our body. Therefore, it is very important to use the medicine that your doctor prescribes exactly. Let's talk briefly about this Nisoldipine medicine, how it works, how to take it, and the things to be careful about.
What exactly is Nisoldipine?
Nisoldipine is a medication used to control high blood pressure. It belongs to a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers . Now you may be wondering what a calcium channel blocker is.
Simply put, this medicine relaxes your blood vessels, which means it widens them. Just like making a water pipe a little bigger allows water to flow through it more easily, when the blood vessels are widened, blood can flow through it without getting clogged. Then the heart has to work harder to pump blood. This is how this medicine controls your blood pressure.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting this medication
Before a doctor prescribes this medicine for you, they need to know your complete medical history. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the conditions listed below.
| Your health condition | Why is it important for the doctor? |
|---|---|
| Heart attack or other heart disease | Because this medication affects heart function, it is essential to know the history of heart disease. |
| Liver disease | Medicines are removed from the body by the liver. If you have liver problems, your dose may need to be adjusted. |
| Low blood pressure | It is important to be aware of this medication, as it can further lower blood pressure. |
| Being pregnant or expecting a baby | You should talk to your doctor about the safety of this medication during pregnancy. |
| Breastfeeding | It is important to seek medical advice about whether the medicine passes to the baby through breast milk. |
| Allergies to other medicines, foods or substances | It is important to know if you are allergic to Nisoldipine or any of its ingredients. |
The correct way to use the medicine
To get the most out of a medication, you need to take it exactly as prescribed.
- Swallow this tablet whole with water. Do not break, crush, or chew.
- The best time to take this medicine is on an empty stomach . That means one hour before or two hours after eating.
- Get into the habit of taking your medicine at the same time every day. That way, you'll be less likely to forget and the medicine will work the same way.
- Continue taking the medicine until your doctor tells you to stop.
Very important: Do not drink grapefruit juice while taking this medication. It can interfere with the effectiveness of the medication. Also, avoid high-fat meals, as it can reduce the effectiveness of the medication.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
What if you take too much medicine? (Overdose)
If you think you have taken more medicine than you think, don't panic. Call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital immediately. Or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like any medication, Nisoldipine can cause side effects in some people. Some of these can be dangerous, so it's important to be aware of them.
| Side effect | Description and what to do |
|---|---|
| Side effects that should be reported to your doctor or ETU immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Heart attack symptoms | Chest, shoulder, or arm tightness or pain, nausea, difficulty breathing, and feeling cold. |
| Low blood pressure | Dizziness, blurred vision, fainting. |
| Worsening angina | Tightness or pain in the chest, neck, back, or arms. |
| Side effects that are usually not dangerous, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Headache | Nausea may occur early in the treatment. |
| Flushing | The face feels hot and turns red. |
| Palpitations | Feeling like your heart is beating fast. |
| Swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet (Edema) | This is a common side effect of Nisoldipine, especially at high doses. |
Things to keep in mind when taking medication
- Check your blood pressure regularly: Measure your blood pressure at home as directed by your doctor. Ask your doctor what your blood pressure should be and when you should call your doctor.
- Watch out for dizziness: This medicine may make you feel drowsy and dizzy. So, avoid dangerous activities like driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. Avoid getting up from a sitting position or sitting down suddenly, especially if you are elderly.
- Be careful with other medications: Do not take over-the-counter cough, cold, or pain medications without first checking with your doctor . Some medications can increase your blood pressure. Also, tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking (for other conditions, vitamins, and herbal remedies). This is especially true for medications like Itraconazole and Phenytoin, which can interact with this medication.
How should you store the medicine?
To maintain the quality of medicines, they must be stored properly.
- Keep out of reach of children and pets.
- Store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius).
- Keep the container tightly closed, airtight, away from light and moisture.
- Discard expired medication without using it.
Take-Home Message
- Nisoldipine is a medication used to control high blood pressure. It works by relaxing blood vessels and reducing the workload on the heart.
- Swallow this tablet whole, without breaking or crushing it. It is best to take it on an empty stomach.
- Do not drink grapefruit juice with this medicine for any reason.
- Tell your doctor about any other medical conditions you have and all medications you take.
- If you experience severe side effects such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, or facial swelling, seek medical advice immediately.
- High blood pressure is a condition that needs to be controlled. Therefore, follow your doctor's instructions exactly.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න