Procardia

Common use

Nifedipine is in a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers. It works by relaxing the muscles of your heart and blood vessels.

Nifedipine is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and angina (chest pain).



Dosage and direction

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results.

Take the Adalat CC tablet on an empty stomach. Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow it whole. Breaking the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.



Precautions

Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.



Contraindications

You should not use nifedipine if you are allergic to it.

Before taking nifedipine, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease (especially cirrhosis), coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, or digestive problems. If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using nifedipine. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.



Possible side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

worsening angina;

feeling like you might pass out;

feeling short of breath, swelling in your hands or feet;

fast or pounding heartbeats;

numbness or tingly feeling;

jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling.

Less serious side effects may include:

headache, dizziness;

drowsiness, tired feeling;

nausea, constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain;

sleep problems (insomnia);

mild rash or itching;

joint pain, leg cramps;

warmth, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin; or

urinating more than usual.



Drug interaction

Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.



Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.



Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention in case of overdose Overdose symptoms may include severe dizziness, pounding heartbeats, nausea, vomiting, and feeling like you might pass out.



Storage

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.



Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information at the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. The specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.

Clinical Verification

Last Clinically Updated: August 15, 2026

Written By

Dr. Elena Vance, PharmD

Clinical Specialist in Neuropharmacology

Fact Checked By

Marcus Thorne, MS

Biomedical Data & FDA Label Verification

Medically Reviewed By

Dr. Arthur Campbell, MD

Board-Certified Psychiatrist (ABPN)