WHAT IS Adalat cc er/Nifedipine CC EXTENDED-RELEASE TABLETS?

NIFEDIPINE/Adalat cc er is a calcium-channel blocker. It affects the amount of calcium found in your heart and muscle cells. This relaxes your blood vessels, which can reduce the amount of work the heart has to do. This medicine is used to treat high blood pressure and chest pain caused by angina. This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

Sustained-release (SR), extended-release (ER, XR, or XL), time-release or timed-release, controlled-release (CR), or continuous-release (CR or Contin) pills are tablets or capsules formulated to dissolve slowly and release a drug over time. The advantages of sustained-release tablets or capsules are that they can often be taken less frequently than instant-release formulations of the same drug, and that they keep steadier levels of the drug in the bloodstream.

WHERE SHOULD I KEEP Adalat cc er/Nifedipine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature below 30 degrees C (86 degrees F). Protect from moisture and humidity. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

HOW SHOULD I USE Adalat cc er/Nifedipine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Do not cut, crush or chew. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often then directed. Do not suddenly stop taking this medicine. Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to take. If your doctor wants you to stop the medicine, the dose will be slowly lowered over time to avoid any side effects.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

Note: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

WHAT IF I MISS A DOSE?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

WHAT SHOULD I WATCH FOR WHILE USING Adalat cc er/Nifedipine?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular check ups. Check your blood pressure and pulse rate regularly. Ask your doctor or health care professional what your blood pressure and pulse rate should be and when you should contact him or her.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

If you are taking Procardia XL, you may notice the empty shell of the tablet in your stool.

WHAT MAY INTERACT WITH Adalat cc er/Nifedipine?

• barbiturates, like phenobarbital
• grapefruit juice
• diuretics
• cimetidine
• local or general anesthetics
• warfarin/Coumadin
• medicines for high blood pressure or heart problems

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care providers a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

WHAT SIDE EFFECTS MAY I NOTICE FROM Adalat cc er/Nifedipine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• skin rash
• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
• blood in the urine
• reduced amount of urine passed
• fast heartbeat, palpitations, irregular heartbeat, chest pain
• swelling of the legs and ankles
• difficulty breathing

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• facial flushing
• constipation
• headache
• weakness or tiredness

This list may not describe all possible side effects.

WHAT SHOULD I TELL MY HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS BEFORE I TAKE Adalat cc er/Nifedipine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• breast-feeding
• liver disease
• previous heart attack
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• an unusual or allergic reaction to nifedipine/Adalat cc er , other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• heart problems, low blood pressure, slow or irregular heartbeat
• kidney disease

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.