Prescription medication · Calcium Channel Blocker
nifedipine
Also sold as Procardia, Adalat. This medicine treats chest pain (angina) caused by tight blood vessels.
Data updated 2026-05-15
- 45,410
- FDA reportsOften reported
- 26
- InteractionsSeveral interactions
- $0.28
- Generic price (NADAC)
What the data shows
nifedipine (Procardia) is a prescription Calcium Channel Blocker, reported at a middle-of-the-pack volume (45,410 FDA reports), with 26 documented drug interactions.
Reporting volume reflects how widely a drug is used and studied, not how dangerous it is, a FAERS report documents a temporal association, never proof of cause.
nifedipine (Procardia) is a prescription Calcium Channel Blocker. This medicine treats chest pain (angina) caused by tight blood vessels.
Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker. It helps to relax blood vessels, which can lower blood pressure and reduce chest pain.
Verify with FDA → · CMS NADAC pricing →
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$0.28/unit
Generic Available
Yes (16 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
This medicine treats chest pain (angina) caused by tight blood vessels.
Common side effects
Swelling, especially in the legs or ankles, Headache, Fatigue
Key warnings
In rare cases, nifedipine can cause serious gastrointestinal problems, including obstruction.
The sections below are summarized in plain English from nifedipine's FDA-approved prescribing information. They describe what the official label says, and are not personal medical advice.
How It Works
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.
How to Take It
Take nifedipine once a day, as prescribed by your doctor. You can start with 30 or 60 mg each day. Swallow the tablet whole; do not bite or divide it. Your doctor may change your dose every 7 to 14 days.
This is a plain-language summary of nifedipine's FDA labeling, not individualized dosing advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before changing how you take this medication.
Pregnancy & 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.
This is a plain-language summary of nifedipine's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber about pregnancy or breastfeeding on this medication.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
This is a plain-language summary of nifedipine's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber what to do about your specific missed dose.
Storage
Store nifedipine tablets at room temperature (68°-77°F), away from moisture, humidity, and light.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 45,410 FDA adverse event reports.
Most-reported reactions
Adverse reactions in FAERS for nifedipine, by number of reports
- Difficulty breathing
Difficulty breathing
2,429 reports
- Tiredness
Tiredness
2,303 reports
- Diarrhea
Diarrhea
2,265 reports
- Feeling sick to your stomach
Feeling sick to your stomach
2,220 reports
- Headache
Headache
1,996 reports
- High blood pressure
High blood pressure
1,767 reports
- Feeling lightheaded or unsteady
Feeling lightheaded or unsteady
1,766 reports
- Pain
Pain
1,694 reports
- Death
Death
1,508 reports
- Weakness
Weakness
1,488 reports
What this shows Bars show how often each reaction was reported, not how likely it is to happen, a report records a temporal association, never proof that the drug caused it.
Reports over time
Adverse-event reports filed for nifedipine each year to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
Year-to-year volume tracks usage, prescribing, and scrutiny, not a change in per-patient risk. Source: FDA FAERS.
Where nifedipine sits
nifedipine has more FDA adverse-event reports than 71% of the drugs FAERS tracks. A high position reflects how widely a drug is used and watched, not how dangerous it is.
Percentile across all drugs PlainMeds tracks by FAERS report volume. The dot is nifedipine; the line is the median (50th percentile).
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 45,410 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2001–2025.
Total Reports
45,410
Reports Mentioning Death
5,124
11.3% of reports — not proof of cause
Hospitalization Reports
18,670
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | DYSPNOEA | 2,429 |
| 3 | FATIGUE | 2,304 |
| 4 | DIARRHOEA | 2,264 |
| 5 | NAUSEA | 2,220 |
| 7 | HEADACHE | 1,997 |
| 8 | DIZZINESS | 1,767 |
| 9 | HYPERTENSION | 1,764 |
| 10 | PAIN | 1,695 |
| 11 | DEATH | 1,507 |
| 12 | ASTHENIA | 1,489 |
| 13 | PNEUMONIA | 1,486 |
| 14 | HYPOTENSION | 1,445 |
| 15 | ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY | 1,443 |
| 16 | MALAISE | 1,381 |
| 17 | RENAL FAILURE | 1,346 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
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.
Known Drug Interactions
albuterol, systemic and inhaled mebendazole amoxicillin medroxyprogesterone ampicillin, with or without sulbactam methylprednisolone atenolol metronidazole azithromycin metoprolol caffeine, dietary ingestion nadolol cefaclor nifedipine co-trimoxazole (trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole) nizatidine diltiazem norfloxacin dirithromycin ofloxacin enflurane omeprazole famotidine prednisone, prednisolone felodipine ranitidine finasteride rifabutin hydrocortisone roxithromycin isoflurane Sorbitol (purgative doses do not inhibit theophylline absorption) isoniazid sucralfate isradipine terbutaline,...
Mechanism: Nifedipine can change how your body processes theophylline, which may lead to an increase in the amount of theophylline in your bloodstream.
What to do: Your healthcare provider should monitor your theophylline levels more frequently. Report any side effects like severe headaches or trouble sleeping to your doctor.
Co-administration of nifedipine with phenytoin, an inducer of CYP3A4, lowers the systemic exposure to nifedipine by approximately 70%. Avoid co-administration of nifedipine with phenytoin or any known CYP3A4 inducer or consider an alternative antihypertensive therapy.
Mechanism: Phenytoin makes your body get rid of nifedipine much faster than normal. This prevents the blood pressure medicine from working as well as it should.
What to do: Avoid taking these two drugs together. Your doctor may need to switch you to a different blood pressure medication.
Calcium channel blockers amlodipine, diltiazem, felodipine, nicardipine, nifedipine, verapamil ↑ calcium channel blocker Caution is warranted and clinical monitoring of patients is recommended.
Mechanism: This medicine blocks the enzyme that usually breaks down nifedipine, which causes the drug to build up in your body. This can lead to much stronger effects and more side effects than usual.
What to do: Use this combination with caution. Your doctor should monitor you closely for signs of low blood pressure or a slow heart rate.
Mild or Moderate CYP3A Inhibitors: Clotrimazole, antibiotics (e.g., verapamil, diltiazem, nifedipine, nicardipine), amiodarone, danazol, ethinyl estradiol, cimetidine, lansoprazole and omeprazole May increase tacrolimus whole blood trough concentrations and increase the risk of serious adverse reactions (e.g., neurotoxicity, QT prolongation) [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 , 5.10 , 5.11 )] .
Mechanism: Nifedipine slows down how your body breaks down tacrolimus, which can cause the drug to build up to unsafe levels in your blood.
What to do: Your doctor may need to monitor your blood levels closely and adjust your dose to prevent serious side effects.
CYP3A inhibitors such as fluconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin, erythromycin, nefazodone, fluoxetine, saquinavir, indinavir, and nelfinavir may result in increased exposure to nifedipine when co-administered.
Mechanism: Fluoxetine slows down the process that removes nifedipine from your body, which can lead to higher drug levels.
What to do: Your doctor may need to lower your nifedipine dose and watch for signs of low blood pressure.
This is a plain-language summary of interactions documented in FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before combining medications.
Common Questions
Can I drink grapefruit juice with nifedipine?
Can I take nitroglycerin with nifedipine?
What should I do if I feel dizzy after taking nifedipine?
Can I stop taking nifedipine suddenly?
Does nifedipine interact with other medications?
How long does it take for nifedipine to start working?
Will nifedipine cure my high blood pressure?
Can nifedipine cause constipation?
What if I have side effects from nifedipine?
Can I take nifedipine if I have kidney problems?
What are the common side effects of nifedipine?
Does nifedipine interact with other medications?
What drug class is nifedipine?
Is nifedipine safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Calcium Channel Blocker
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amlodipine
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amlodipine/benazepril
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Lotrel is a combination medicine that contains amlodipine and benazepril.
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Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
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What the FDA Data Shows for nifedipine
The FDA label for nifedipine (sold under brand names such as Procardia, Adalat) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Calcium Channel Blocker class. This medicine treats chest pain (angina) caused by tight blood vessels. Official labeling lists 6 commonly reported side effects, including Swelling, especially in the legs or ankles, Headache, Fatigue.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 45,410 voluntary reports. The database also lists 26 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated major severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.28.
Report counts do not establish causation, a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: December 31, 2025
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled and last refreshed May 2026. See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a correction.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book - approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed - NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) - post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm - standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files - federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database - current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages