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

Nisoldipine 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.

Take nisoldipine on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.

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

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.

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

Keep using all your blood pressure medications as directed, even if you feel well. 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:

Slow release (old formulation):
-Initial dose: 20 mg orally once a day
-Maintenance dose: 10 to 60 mg orally once a day
-Maximum dose: 60 mg/day

Controlled release (new formulation):
-Initial dose: 17 mg orally once a day
-Maintenance dose: 8.5 to 34 mg orally once a day
-Maximum dose: 34 mg/day

Comment: This drug has been used with diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and beta blockers.

Use: Alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents for the treatment of hypertension

Usual Geriatric Dose for Hypertension:

Slow release (old formulation):
-Initial dose: 10 mg orally once a day
-Maintenance dose: 10 to 60 mg orally once a day
-Maximum dose: 60 mg/day

Controlled release (new formulation):
-Initial dose: 8.5 mg orally once a day
-Maintenance dose: 8.5 to 34 mg orally once a day
-Maximum dose: 34 mg/day

Comments:
-Dosing should be performed with caution.
-This drug has been used with diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and beta blockers.
-Blood pressure should be closely monitored during dose adjustments.

Use: Alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents for the treatment of hypertension

You should not use nisoldipine if you are allergic to nisoldipine or to similar medications such as amlodipine, felodipine, nicardipine, nifedipine, or nimodipine.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• coronary artery disease;

• congestive heart failure;

• liver disease;

• an allergy to yellow food dye; or

• asthma, or a severe allergic reaction (sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, wheezing, shortness of breath) after taking aspirin.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine.

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

You should not breastfeed while using nisoldipine.

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.

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.

Nisoldipine tablets may be taken with or without food and should be swallowed whole. Do not chew, divide, or crush the tablet. Avoid taking nisoldipine with high-fat foods or high-fat meals.

Avoid drinking grapefruit juice or eating grapefruit while taking nisoldipine.

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.

Grapefruit may interact with nisoldipine and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of 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.

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

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

• chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder;

• swelling in your hands or feet;

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

• fast heartbeats; or

• sudden numbness or weakness, problems with vision or speech.

You may have new or worsening chest pain when you first start taking nisoldipine or whenever your dose is changed.

Common side effects of nisoldipine may include:

• swelling;

• headache;

• dizziness; or

• flushing.

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 medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially any other blood pressure medicines.

Many drugs can affect nisoldipine. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

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

The extended-release tablet does not dissolve in the stomach after being swallowed. It slowly releases medicine as it passes through your small intestines. It is not unusual to see the tablet shell in the stool.

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.