nifedipine
Brand names: Procardia, Adalat
Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker. It helps to relax blood vessels, which can lower blood pressure and reduce chest pain.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Storage
Store nifedipine tablets at room temperature (68°-77°F), away from moisture, humidity, and light.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 20,967 FDA adverse event reports.
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
Death-Related Reports
5,124
Hospitalization Reports
18,670
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 2,507 |
| 2 | DYSPNOEA | 2,429 |
| 3 | FATIGUE | 2,304 |
| 4 | DIARRHOEA | 2,264 |
| 5 | NAUSEA | 2,220 |
| 6 | OFF LABEL USE | 2,020 |
| 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 |
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, s...
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.
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
Other drugs grouped near nifedipine — same-class peers and common alternatives.
acebutolol
Sectral
Acebutolol is a medicine that helps lower blood pressure and control irregular heartbeats.
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aliskiren
Tekturna
Tekturna is a medicine used to treat high blood pressure.
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amiloride
Midamor
Amiloride is a water pill that helps your body hold onto potassium.
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amlodipine
Norvasc
Amlodipine (Norvasc) is a drug that lowers blood pressure and treats chest pain.
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amlodipine/benazepril
Lotrel
Lotrel is a combination medicine that contains amlodipine and benazepril.
Compare with nifedipine →
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
Related Health & Safety Data
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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 20,967 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.
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