Vascalpha

How does it work?

This medicine contains the active ingredient felodipine, which is a type of medicine called a calcium channel blocker. This type of medicine acts on the heart and blood vessels. Felodipine works by slowing the movement of calcium through the muscle cells that are found in the walls of blood vessels. It acts specifically on the muscle cells in the walls of small arteries (arterioles). Felodipine slows calcium movement by blocking 'calcium channels' in these muscle cells. Calcium is needed by muscle cells in order for them to contract, so felodipine causes the muscle in the walls of the small arteries to relax. This widens the small arteries in the body, an effect that has two uses. The relaxing and widening of the small arteries in the body decreases the resistance that the heart has to push against in order to pump the blood around the body. This reduces blood pressure. Felodipine can therefore be used to treat high blood pressure. The widening effect on the small arteries also improves the blood and therefore oxygen supply to the heart. This feature means felodipine can be used to treat angina. The chest pain of angina is caused by insufficient oxygen supply to the heart. As felodipine improves this oxygen supply, and also reduces the effort the heart has to make to pump blood, it can be used to prevent angina attacks.

What is it used for?

Angina pectoris

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.

Swallow these tablets whole with water - do not chew, crush or break them.

Take this medicine in the morning.

The safety and efficacy of this medicine in children has not been studied by the manufacturer.

This medicine may cause mild enlargement of the gums in people with gum disease. This can be avoided or reversed with careful dental hygiene.

Use with caution in

Elderly people

Low blood pressure (hypotension)

Poor functioning of one chamber of the heart (left ventricular dysfunction)

Severely decreased liver function

Not to be used in

Allergy to related calcium channel blockers (dihydropyridines)

Angina not well controlled by medical treatment

Failure of the heart to maintain adequate circulation of blood (cardiogenic shock)

Narrowing of the main artery coming from the heart (aortic stenosis)

People who have had a heart attack in the last month

Pregnancy

Uncontrolled heart failure

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

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 should not be used during pregnancy as it may be harmful to the unborn baby. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

This medicine passes into breast milk in small amounts. The effect on the baby is not known. 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.

Worsening of anginal chest pains

Impotence

Fatigue

Awareness of your heart beat (heart palpitations)

Dizziness

Flushing

Enlargement of the gums (gingival hyperplasia)

Rash or itching

Headache

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.

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