Isradipine is a calcium channel blocker that is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).

Isradipine is sometimes used together with a diuretic or "water pill."

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

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

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.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. It may take 2 to 4 weeks before your blood pressure improves.

Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

Use all your blood pressure medications as directed and read all medication guides you receive. Do not change your dose or stop taking your medicine without your doctor's advice.

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:

Initial dose:
Immediate-release capsules: 2.5 mg orally twice a day
Controlled-release tablets: 5 mg orally once a day

Maintenance dose: The dose may be adjusted as needed and tolerated in increments of 5 mg at 2 to 4 week intervals.

The maximum recommended daily dose for the immediate-release capsules is 20 mg, although most patients show no additional response to doses above 10 mg/day. The maximum recommended dose for the controlled-release tablets is 20 mg/day.

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

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• congestive heart failure;

• liver disease; or

• kidney disease.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of isradipine.

It is not known whether isradipine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

You should not breast-feed while using isradipine.

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 fast heartbeats, severe dizziness, and warmth or tingling in your arms and legs.

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 isradipine.

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.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how isradipine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

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

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

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

• pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;

• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);

• tiredness; or

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

Common side effects of isradipine may include:

• flushing;

• headache, dizziness;

• swelling;

• fast heartbeats; or

• upset stomach.

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.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• cimetidine (Tagamet);

• fentanyl; or

• rifampin.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect isradipine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

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

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.