Procardia XL (Nifedipine XL)

Do’s

• Take Procardia exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider, usually once daily.
• Swallow the tablets whole. Do not crush or chew them.
• Take Procardia with or without food.
• Follow your healthcare provider's instructions carefully, especially regarding dosage increases.
• Use Procardia regularly and at the same time each day for best results.
• Continue taking Procardia even if you feel well, as high blood pressure often has no symptoms.
• Inform your healthcare provider if your blood pressure improves or worsens.

Don'ts

• Don't consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking Procardia unless your healthcare provider approves it.
• Don't stop taking Procardia abruptly; consult your healthcare provider about gradual dose reduction.
• Don't crush or chew the tablets, as it can increase side effects.

Common side effects:

• Headache
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Changes to sensation of taste
• Dry nose
• Dry mouth
• Red, sore, and inflamed skin rash
• Nausea
• Crusty eyelids
• Increased sensitivity to sunlight
• Swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
• Cough
• Difficult or labored breathing
• Fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
• Muscle cramps
• Rapid weight gain
• Shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
• Shortness of breath
• Tingling of the hands or feet
• Trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
• Unusual weight gain or loss
• Weakness
• Wheezing

Serious side effects that may require immediate medical attention include:

• Worsening chest pain
• Pounding heartbeats or fluttering in the chest
• A light-headed feeling, like you might pass out
• Swelling in your hands or lower legs
• Upper stomach pain
• Blue lips and fingernails
• Chest congestion
• Chest pain
• Chills
• Coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum
• Decreased urine output
• Difficult, fast, or noisy breathing, sometimes with wheezing
• Dilated neck veins
• Extreme fatigue
• Fever
• Increased sweating
• Irregular breathing
• Nausea
• Pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
• Pale skin
• Severe unusual tiredness or weakness
• Sweating
• Troubled breathing
• Vomiting
• Black, tarry stools
• Bleeding gums
• Blood in the eyes
• Blood in the urine or stools
• Bloody stools
• Gastrointestinal obstruction
• Serious allergic reaction

This is not an exhaustive list, and other side effects may occur. If you experience any unusual or severe side effects while taking Procardia XL, contact your healthcare provider for medical advice.

Disclose any allergies you have, especially to nifedipine (the active ingredient) or other calcium channel blockers. Report any allergies to inactive ingredients as well.

Tell your healthcare provider about any pre-existing health conditions, particularly:

• Heart problems (heart failure, aortic stenosis)
• Liver problems
• Digestive system issues (narrowing/stricture, motility disorders, obstruction)
• Kidney problems
• Porphyria (a metabolic disorder)

Before any surgery or dental procedure, tell your healthcare provider about all medications you take, including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal products.

Procardia XL may cause dizziness. Avoid activities requiring alertness (driving, operating machinery) until you know how the medication affects you. Limit alcohol consumption and discuss marijuana use with your healthcare provider, as both can worsen dizziness.

Procardia XL should only be used during pregnancy if the potential benefits outweigh the risks. Discuss this with your healthcare provider.

Nifedipine passes into breast milk. Consult your healthcare provider before breastfeeding if taking Procardia XL.