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How does it work?

Isradipine belongs to a group of medicines called calcium channel blockers, which act on the heart and blood vessels. Isradipine slows the movement of calcium through cells, which has two results.It decreases the rate at which the heart beats and also has a widening effect on blood vessels. This combination causes blood pressure to be reduced.

What is it used for?

- High blood pressure

Warning!

- Unless your doctor or pharmacist tells you otherwise, you should avoid drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medicine, as it may affect the level of this medicine in your blood.

Use with caution in

- A problem common in the elderly, related to poor control of the working of the heart (sick sinus syndrome)
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Narrowing of the main artery coming from the heart (aortic stenosis)

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

- This medicine may inhibit labour. However, the risk to the foetus should be balanced against the risk of the mother's uncontrolled high blood pressure. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
- There is no information available regarding the safety of this medicine during breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

- Headache
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Faster than normal heart beat (tachycardia)
- Increased blood flow to the skin on the face (facial flushing)
- Awareness of your heart beat (heart palpitations)
- Ankle swelling

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredients

Isradipine