Uses and side effects of Calnif Retard tablets

Calnif retard is a prescription medication used to control hypertension, and to treat heart diseases (Angina). Its generic name is Nifedipine. Calnif retard is given orally. In addition, preparations that are put under the tongue is also available (for rapid reduction of blood pressure).

Calnif retard or slow release tablets

Retard means slow release. 

Retard means slow release. 

Do not crush or divide the medication, otherwise this will rapidly released into blood stream causing severe lowering of blood pressure. 

What your doctor consider when giving Calnif to you?

Some people with history of heart attacks should not be given this medication. So it is very important to mention whether you developed heart attacks before getting this medication.

If you got history of Heart attacks then mention that to your doctor

This medication should not be given, if heart pain (pain in left side of the chest) occurs or worsening of existing pain.

Doctors use this drug cautiously in patients with poor cardiac reserve, heart failure, severe hypotension, elderly patients, patients with diabetes mellitus, and hepatic impairment.

It is important to mention to your doctor whether you take medications for tuberculosis.

These medications given for Tuberculosis can have significant interactions with  Calnif

In addition, this drug should not be used for following conditions

1.     Cardiogenic shock

2.     Advanced aortic stenosis

3.     Porphyria

4.     Myocardial infarctions (heart attacks).

What are the common side effects of this medication?

Common side effects of Calnif

1.     Stomach upset

2.     Reduced blood pressure

3.     Increased heart rate

4.     Headache

5.     Dizziness

6.     Lethargy

7.     Lack of energy

What are the less common side effects of Calnif?

1.     Syncope (Sudden faint attacks)

2.     Nasal congestion.

3.     Shortness of breath

4.     Anxiety (Sudden terrible fearfulness)

5.     Sleep disturbance

6.     Migraine

7.     Pins and needles (paresthesia).

8.     Aggravation of migraine headaches

9.     Sleep problems

10. Passing increased amount of urine

11. Erectile dysfunction

12. Nose bleeds

13. Muscle pain

Hypersensitivity reactions can occur with some patients. They are hives, rashes, and itchiness, and yellowish discoloration of the body.

Rarely following side effects are reported. They include loss of appetite, swelling of the gums, mood abnormalities, hyperglycemia, and male infertility.

Skin rashes when exposed to sunlight (Photo sensitivity) reactions are also reported.

Difficulty in swallowing, intestinal obstruction, and intestinal ulcers has been reported. Increased sizes of the breasts, even in males can occur.

Very rarely Calnif causes agranulocytosis (reduction in all blood cells).

Pregnancy

This medication can delay delivery of baby. So your doctor may not prescribe this medication during the pregnancy. It is sometimes used to delay delivery when the baby is premature.

This medication can delay Delivery of the baby

Breast feeding

Amount found in milk is too small to be harmful. But manufactures are advising doctors to avoid using Calnif, unless indicated.

This medication generally considered safe during breast feeding

Drug and food interactions

Patients should avoid taking grape fruit juice while taking Calnif. Grapefruit juice can increase plasma concentration of Calnif.

In addition, anti tuberculosis medication, Rifampicin reduces plasma concentration of this drug. Calnif can cause severe drop in the blood pressure, if co administered with beta blockers such as Tenormin.

Side effects can be reduced, if taken wholly with full glass of water without crushing or breaking the capsules.

Sources

AHFS Drug Information

British National Formulary www.bnf.org

Uses and side effects of Losacar

Losacar is a brand name manufactured in india of the generic medication Losartan potassium. Losacar is an antihypertensive medication in the Angiotensin receptor blocker family. This drug widens the arteries and reduces blood pressure. This drug does not cause troublesome dry cough as a side effect, unlike ACE inhibitors like Enalapril.

 This drug is prescribed in high blood pressure, heart failure and in the early stages of diabetes kidney damage (diabetes nephropathy).

Losacar is a common medication used for high blood pressure

  Before starting this medication, the doctor should know your complete medical history, including over the counter medication patient is on.  Combining this medication with NSAIDs can have problems.

 What the doctor should know before prescribing?

  If the patient has a kidney disease called bilateral renal artery stenosis, then the doctor will not prescribe Losartan. If the patient has liver problems, doctor should know that as well. If a patient has a heart disease called Aortic or Mitral valve stenosis then the doctor may not prescribe this medication. Conditions like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can cause problems with this drug as well.

The doctor may check patient’s potassium levels in the blood before starting Losacar, because serum potassium levels can go up with this medication.

 If the patient is pregnant or nursing, doctor will not start Losartan. Taking Losacar in pregnancy can harm the unborn baby. This drug is present in breast milk in significant amounts, so it should not be used in breast feeding as well.

Doctors usualy get cautious when starting this medication in pregnancy

 What the patient should know before taking?

 This medication should be taken as a whole with a full glass of water and it should not be crushed to minimize side effects. This medication can be taken with or without meals. It should not be shared with others. Patient should not take beverages containing alcohol during the therapy.



  What are the common side effects?

 Some patients can commonly get dizziness due to low blood pressure. It is marked in the initial phase of treatment. Therefore, it is advised not to get up in from the morning quickly. First you need to sit on the bed for a while then get up from the bed.

Most elderly people get this side effect frequently. In addition, it is dangerous to drive vehicles or operate machinery due to initial light headed ness that occur with this medication, This side effect is usually goes off quickly.

If you get persistent low blood pressure or persistent faintishness then call your doctor.

Lack of energy and strength, vertigo and easy fatigability are common side effects. Gastro intestinal disturbances like nausea and vomiting are also common. This drug is a potent antihypertensive, so patient can get faintishness especially in the first few days of the treatment. So patients are advised to stay in the home at least in the first day.

How to minimize common side effects?

You can minimize common side effects  by taking the medication without crushing it and with a full glass of water. Also sitting at one place once you have taken the medications greatly helps. Do not exceed the dose recommended by the physician.

 What are the less common side effects?

Less common side effects are cardiac rhythm abnormalities (atrial fibrillation), headache and dizziness.

Few patients may get shortness of breath and muscle/joint pains with this medication.

Notable drug interactions

In elderly patients with multiple medical problems such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart problems this medication can aggravate some side effects of such medications. Usually elderly patients get large amount of prescription medications that there can be harmful drug interactions. So it is better you discuss with your doctor regarding the drug interactions and try to simplify drug regime.

Many patients of Loasacar could be getting cocktail of many other drugs for their hypertension, diabetes and heart diseases.

 What are the rare side effects?

Chest pain, edema, flatulence, nervousness, depression, sleep problems, blurred vision, impotence and back pain are relatively rare side effects.

  Very few patients can get an allergic reaction to this medication. These include rashes, hives and itchiness. Sometimes it can lead to an anaphylactic shock. This is characterized by widespread hives, low blood pressure, shortness of breath and pallor. Patient should seek immediate medical help if he/she gets this problem.

Summary

Losarcar is a medication prescribed for hypertension. It has some side effects commonest is faintishness due excessive low blood pressure.