isradipine vs nifedipine
PlainMeds reviewed this comparison against our methodology in August 2026. It places FDA and CMS record fields side by side, without recommending either medication.
Side-by-side comparison of isradipine and nifedipine. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
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Isradipine is a drug that helps lower high blood pressure. It belongs to a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers.
Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker. It helps to relax blood vessels, which can lower blood pressure and reduce chest pain.
Isradipine capsules are used to treat high blood pressure. You can take it alone or with a thiazide diuretic (water pill). It may take 2 to 4 weeks to see the full effect.
This medicine treats chest pain (angina) caused by tight blood vessels. It also treats high blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
Isradipine blocks calcium from entering certain cells. This action relaxes blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems.
Nifedipine blocks calcium from entering heart and blood vessel cells. This relaxes and widens blood vessels. As a result, the heart doesn't have to work as hard, and blood pressure goes down.
- • Headache
- • Dizziness
- • Swelling in ankles or feet
- • Feeling your heart beat rapidly or irregularly
- • Fatigue
- • Swelling, especially in the legs or ankles
- • Headache
- • Fatigue
- • Dizziness
- • Constipation
- Drug Interaction 32
- Dyspnoea 31
- Hypertension 29
- Acute Kidney Injury 26
- Nausea 26
- Dyspnoea 2,429
- Fatigue 2,304
- Diarrhoea 2,264
- Nausea 2,220
- Headache 1,997
If you are taking cimetidine, your doctor should watch you closely for side effects when you start isradipine. If you are taking rifampicin, isradipine may not work as well.
In rare cases, nifedipine can cause serious gastrointestinal problems, including obstruction. If you experience severe abdominal pain, vomiting, or inability to pass stool, seek immediate medical attention.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if isradipine will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking isradipine while breastfeeding.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if nifedipine will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking this medicine while pregnant or breastfeeding.
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How to Read This isradipine vs nifedipine Comparison
isradipine is classified in the Calcium Channel Blocker drug class, while nifedipine sits within the Calcium Channel Blocker class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory, but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, isradipine has 144 submissions while nifedipine has 11,214. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot represent individual circumstances. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This registry does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions for isradipine or nifedipine.
Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.