Felodipine is used alone or in combination with other medicines to treat high blood pressure in adults.

Lowering blood pressure may lower your risk of a stroke or heart attack.

Felodipine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Use only as directed. Tell your doctor if you use other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Felodipine is usually taken once per day.

You may take felodipine with or without food, but take it the same way each time.

Swallow the tablet whole and do not crush, break, or dissolve it.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.

Keep using felodipine even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.

Do not change your dose or stop taking any medication without your doctor's advice.

Your treatment may also include diet, exercise, weight control, and blood tests.

Pay special attention to your dental hygiene. Brush and floss your teeth regularly while receiving this medication.

Store tightly closed at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light.

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:

Initial dose: 5 mg orally once a day
Maintenance dose: 2.5 to 10 mg orally once a day

Comments: If needed, dose adjustments should generally occur at intervals of at least 2 weeks.

Usual Geriatric Dose for Hypertension:

Initial dose: 2.5 to 5 mg orally once a day
Maintenance dose: 2.5 to 10 mg orally once a day

Comments: If needed, dose adjustments should generally occur at intervals of at least 2 weeks.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Hypertension:

(Not approved by FDA)

NIH and NHLBI recommendations:
1 year or older:
Initial dose: 2.5 mg orally once a day
Maintenance dose: 2.5 to 10 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 10 mg/day

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

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• low blood pressure;

• congestive heart failure; or

• liver disease.

May harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include slow heart rate, low blood pressure, warmth or tingling, and a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

Talk to your doctor about drinking grapefruit juice or eating grapefruit while taking felodipine.

Talk to your doctor before using salt substitutes containing potassium. If your doctor prescribes a low-salt or low-sodium diet, follow these directions carefully.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

Grapefruit may interact with felodipine and cause side effects. Avoid consuming grapefruit products.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Felodipine may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• worsening chest pain, fast heart rate;

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; or

• heart problems--swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath.

Common side effects of felodipine may include:

• swelling in your arms, hands, legs, or feet;

• headache;

• dizziness; weakness; or

• flushing (sudden warmth, redness, or tingly feeling).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you use, which may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective.

Other drugs may affect felodipine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your blood pressure should be checked regularly to determine your response to felodipine.

Good dental hygiene decreases the chance and severity of gum swelling. Brush your teeth regularly and schedule dental cleanings every 6 months.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

• Lexxel® (containing Enalapril, Felodipine)