Felodipine

What is this medication for?

Felodipine lowers your blood pressure by relaxing and widening blood vessels.

How should I take or use this medication?

• Do not stop taking your medicine without checking with your healthcare provider
• This medicine may be taken on an empty stomach or with a light meal low in fat and carbohydrates
• You should swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush or chew the tablets

What should I do if I forget to take or use this medication?

• If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only the usual dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.

What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
• You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.

What are some common side effects of this medication? ​

Common side effects include leg swelling, headaches, and flushing (feeling of warmth or redness in the face). 

This usually happens at the start of treatment or when your dose increases. These symptoms may go away as your body gets used to the medication. Inform your healthcare professional if these side effects do not go away and become bothersome to you. 

You may also experience dizziness and lightheadedness on getting up from a sitting or sleeping position.

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately? 

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

Very rarely, this medicine may cause liver problems. Stop this medication and see a doctor immediately if you notice any of these symptoms:

• Liver injury - Dark brown urine, light coloured stools (pale grey/ clay coloured), nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, yellowing of skin or eyes

What food or medication should I avoid when I take or use this medication?

Avoid taking grapefruit, or grapefruit juice as they may interact with your medication and increase the risk of side effects.

How should I store this medication?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.

How do I throw away this medication safely? ​

Pack this medicine into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.