felodipine at a glance
Medicine class
Dihydropyridine calcium-channel blocker.
Licensed uses
High blood pressure and chronic stable angina.
Tablet type
Prolonged-release tablet: swallow whole; do not divide, crush or chew.
Food and drink
Take without food or after a light meal. Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice.
What is felodipine used for?
Selected UK products are licensed for:
Management of high blood pressure.
Prevention or treatment of chronic stable angina.
How does felodipine work?
Felodipine limits calcium entry into arterial smooth-muscle cells. This relaxes and widens arteries, lowers blood pressure and can help prevent stable angina symptoms.
felodipine preparations and strengths
Modified-release tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 10 mg
How to take felodipine
Follow the dispensing label and product leaflet because prolonged-release preparations may differ.
Swallow the tablet whole with water; do not divide, crush or chew it.
Take it without food or after a light meal that is not rich in fat or carbohydrate.
Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice.
Do not stop felodipine without discussing it with the prescriber.
felodipine side effects
Common or expected effects
- Ankle or leg swelling
- Headache
- Flushing
- Dizziness
- Nausea, vomiting or abdominal discomfort
- Palpitations
Get urgent medical advice
- Difficulty breathing or swelling of the face, tongue or throat
- New or worsening chest pain
- Fainting or symptoms of marked low blood pressure
- A severe or widespread allergic skin reaction
felodipine in pregnancy
Selected UK product information contraindicates felodipine during pregnancy. If pregnant or planning pregnancy, arrange a prompt prescriber or specialist review and do not stop treatment independently.
felodipine while breastfeeding
Evidence during breastfeeding is limited. Felodipine may be used cautiously after individual assessment for a full-term, healthy infant, although nifedipine is preferred within the same class. Monitor the baby for unusual sleepiness, pallor, poor feeding or inadequate weight gain.
felodipine interactions
Check new prescriptions, over-the-counter products and herbal remedies with a pharmacist or prescriber.
Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, including itraconazole, ketoconazole, erythromycin and ritonavir
Can substantially increase felodipine exposure and adverse effects; strong combinations should be avoided.
Strong CYP3A4 inducers, including carbamazepine, phenytoin, rifampicin, barbiturates and St John’s wort
Can markedly reduce felodipine exposure and effectiveness; strong combinations should be avoided.
Common questions about felodipine
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Can felodipine tablets be crushed or split?
No. Crushing, chewing or dividing prolonged-release tablets can disrupt their controlled release.
Can I have grapefruit while taking felodipine?
No. Grapefruit can increase felodipine exposure and adverse effects.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.