nisoldipine
Brand names: Sular
Nisoldipine is a medicine to treat high blood pressure. It belongs to a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$3.62/unit
Generic Available
Yes (2 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Nisoldipine extended-release tablets are used to treat high blood pressure.
Common side effects
Swelling in your legs or ankles, Headache, Dizziness
Key warnings
If you are allergic to dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, you should not take this medicine.
How It Works
Nisoldipine blocks calcium from entering certain cells. This helps to relax and widen blood vessels. As a result, blood can flow more easily, which lowers blood pressure.
How to Take It
Take nisoldipine extended-release tablets once a day. Take it on an empty stomach, either 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating. Swallow the tablets whole; do not crush, chew, or break them. Your doctor may start you on a low dose and increase it slowly.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. It is not known if nisoldipine will harm your unborn baby or pass into breast milk.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store nisoldipine at room temperature (68° to 77°F) away from light and moisture.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 707 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 1,191 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
1,191
Death-Related Reports
123
Hospitalization Reports
394
Top Indication
Hypertension
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | NAUSEA | 88 |
| 2 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 79 |
| 3 | DIZZINESS | 77 |
| 4 | HEADACHE | 76 |
| 5 | FATIGUE | 74 |
| 6 | RENAL FAILURE | 65 |
| 7 | PAIN | 64 |
| 8 | DYSPNOEA | 63 |
| 9 | ASTHENIA | 62 |
| 10 | DIARRHOEA | 59 |
| 11 | ANXIETY | 54 |
| 12 | MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION | 54 |
| 13 | OEDEMA PERIPHERAL | 54 |
| 14 | HYPERTENSION | 50 |
| 15 | PRURITUS | 49 |
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
If you are allergic to dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, you should not take this medicine.
Known Drug Interactions
Calcium Channel Blockers Felodipine a Nisoldipine Contraindicated during and 2 weeks after itraconazole treatment.
Mechanism: Itraconazole blocks the enzymes that clear nisoldipine from your body, causing the drug to build up to unsafe levels.
What to do: You should not use these medications at the same time or within two weeks of finishing your itraconazole treatment.
Phenytoin when given with the combination of fosamprenavir and ritonavir may increase the concentration of amprenavir Calcium channel blockers Nifedipine, nimodipine, nisoldipine, verapamil Other Albendazole (decreases active metabolite), chlorpropamide, clozapine, cyclosporine, digoxin, disopyramide, folic acid, methadone, mexiletine, praziquantel, quetiapine a The effect of phenytoin on phenobarbital, valproic acid and sodium valproate serum levels is unpredictable 7.3 Drug/Laboratory Test Interactions Care should be taken when using immunoanalytical methods to measure serum phenytoin con...
Mechanism: Phenytoin makes your body clear nisoldipine out of your system more quickly, which can make this blood pressure medicine less effective.
What to do: Your doctor may need to monitor your blood pressure and adjust your nisoldipine dosage as needed.
Common Questions
Can I cut the pill in half?
What should I avoid while taking this medicine?
What is the starting dose?
What is the usual maintenance dose?
Can I take this with other blood pressure medicines?
What if I am over 65 or have liver problems?
What should I do if I experience swelling in my ankles?
How long will I need to take this medication?
What do the tablets look like?
What if I think I'm having a serious side effect?
What are the common side effects of nisoldipine?
Does nisoldipine interact with other medications?
What drug class is nisoldipine?
Is nisoldipine safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Calcium Channel Blocker
Other drugs grouped near nisoldipine — 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.
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What the FDA Data Shows for nisoldipine
The FDA label for nisoldipine (sold under brand names such as Sular) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Calcium Channel Blocker class. Nisoldipine extended-release tablets are used to treat high blood pressure. Official labeling lists 5 commonly reported side effects, including Swelling in your legs or ankles, Headache, Dizziness.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 707 voluntary reports. The database also lists 2 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 $3.62.
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: September 30, 2022
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