FELODIPINE

Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation.

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Name: FELODIPINE
Class: Calcium Channel Blocker
Risk Factor:    CM

Fetal Risk Summary

Felodipine is a calcium channel-blocking agent used in the treatment of hypertension. The drug is teratogenic in rabbits, producing digital anomalies consisting of a reduction in size and degree of ossification of the terminal phalanges (1). The frequency and severity of the defects appeared to be dose-related over a range of 0.4 to 4 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) on a mg/m2 basis. The defects may have been related to reduced uterine blood flow (1). Similar effects were not observed in rats or monkeys. In the latter species, however, an abnormal position of the distal phalanges was observed in about 40% of the fetuses. At doses 4 times the MRHD, delayed parturition with difficult labor, an increased incidence of stillbirths, and a decreased incidence of postnatal survival were noted in rats (1).

A prospective, multicenter cohort study of 78 women (81 outcomes, 3 sets of twins) who had 1st trimester exposure to calcium channel blockers, including 1% to felodipine, was reported in 1996 (2). Compared to controls, no increase in the risk of major congenital malformations was found.

Breast Feeding Summary

No reports describing the use of felodipine during human lactation or measuring the amount, if any, excreted into milk have been located. Because of its relatively low molecular weight (about 384), however, excretion into human milk should be expected. In pregnant rabbits given doses equal to or greater than the MRHD, a significant enlargement of the mammary glands occurred that eventually resolved during lactation (1). Similar changes in rats and monkeys were not observed.

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References

  1. Product information. Plendil. Merck Sharp & Dohme, 2000.
  2. Magee LA, Schick B, Donnenfeld AE, Sage SR, Conover B, Cook L, McElhatton PR, Schmidt MA, Koren G. The safety of calcium channel blockers in human pregnancy: a prospective, multicenter cohort study. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1996;174:823–8.

Index

Q&A about Felodipine

Stan G
felodipine?
can use of felodipine cause itching all over the body starting with the back and progressing to front, and then limbs
Rhea B
I don't know if that would be a usual side effect, I suspect it is the start of an allergy. I read up on the drug and it advised repeatedly about taking in any kind of grapefruit with it. I guess the best thing to do is call your Dr. and see what they say about it
Joan Lucas J
what are lisinopril and felodipine er prescribed for?
My doctor prescribed these but I can't remember why.
Matt A
Lisinopril (lye-SIN-o-pril) is a drug of the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor class that is primarily used in treatment of hypertension, congestive heart failure, heart attacks and also in preventing renal and retinal complications of diabetes. It has been compared with Omapatrilat which is of similar function.

Felodipine is a calcium channel blocker used to treat high blood pressure. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Mike A
Why would one change there intake of medicene from Felodipine, to Nifedipine?
ginnybag
It would, of course, depend upon why you are taking it, but both drugs belong to the same 'family' inasmuch as they are often used to treat the same symptoms. Both drugs are 'calcium channel blockers' in the Dihydropyridines (C08CA) group.

The reason for the switch may come from a variety of sources - your doctor may have chosen a new source for his drugs, or he may have received information telling him that one is better or (hate to say it!) more cost effective than another. Alternatively, he may have decided that your condition would be better managed on the new drug, or that there would be less side effects.

In any case, they do much the same job. If you have questions, you should always feel free to query things with your doctor.

Hope this helps,

Ginny
henry
what is the difference between "felodipine" and "metropolol" medicines?
which is more effective? is it true that study shows the use of metropolol has a side effect for impotency?

thanks
Mr. Peachy®
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/drugi...

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/drugi...

Perhaps if you weren't so lazy, you wouldn't have high blood pressure.

Here's a freebie:

http://www.drmcdougall.com
Pit Bull
does anyone have experience of felodipine in the treatment of high blood pressure?
In particular in comparison with Atenolol.
KarlYKT
Atenolol is a beta blocker while felodipine is a calcium channel blocker. Both are for hypertension but each has a different mechanism of action in lowering blood pressure. Both are effective in controlling high blood pressure but this is case dependent. They can actually be given together. Also, felodipine has the advantage of being longer acting so it can be given once a day. Of course, as with any medication, both drugs are not without side effects. There are other drugs in the market that can be and are more effeective that the above mentioned medication like ARB`s and ACE inhibitors, etc. Before taking any of these medication, please consult your doctor.
G eo
Anyone have any problems taking felodipine for hypertension?
disgrunt...
this is personal advice, not medical advice

Recent findings have suggested that felodipine in combination with grapefruit juice can cause abnormal (toxic) effects. Grapefruit juice is found to have an inhibiting effect over cytochrome P450 3A4. As a result the bioavailability of the drug and area under the curve (AUC) increase, increasing the risk for abnormal side effects. Therefore, special caution must be taken when mixing grapefruit juice with Felodipine.
cmart012...
why does felodipine make your legs swell what is this a sign of?
partae_d...
felodipine is a calcium chan blocker used in hypertension. If you have had untreated htn for several yrs it can cause a condition called congestive heart failure. i do not know your age or your situation but you should contact your doctor immediately. it may just be allergic reaction or lower extremity venous insufficiency but none the less call your doc asap.
Mike A
what is the difference between "Nifedipine, and Felodipine"?
silversh...
NIFEDIPINE: A coronary vasodilator and calcium-channel blocking agent that reduces calcium ions available to heart and smooth muscle, used in the treatment of angina pectoris.

FELODIPINE: : a calcium channel blocker C18H19Cl2NO4 used especially in the treatment of hypertension
crazy_di...
what are the functional group of felodipine?
im working on research on masters of analytical chemistry .the only who have the answer should have studied pharmaceutical chemistry and structure activity relationship
Schmedle...
Here's how I would describe the molecule in terms of functional groups:

A nonaromatic unsaturated six-member amino heterocycle with two methyl carboxylate groups and a dichlorinated benzene ring.

The molecule would be a weak base, and be reactive to ester hydrolysis and ester interchange, halogenation and hydrogenation.
StillLea...
Does felodipine cause water retention?
Am currently taking meds for high B.P. Cardiologist wants to add felodipine. Previously had a major water retention problem with norvasc. I don't want to go through that again. So far I'm having trouble finding a good definition of this med.
Messdeck Annie
I found this from the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology (site listed below). "Renal sodium and water retention are not observed and there is little effect on renal potassium handling. As a vasodilator antihypertensive agent, felodipine produces renal vasodilatation (normal or increased but not decreased RBF) without adverse effects on the GFR or renal sodium and water retention."

So, it would look the problem of water retention with this medication is not an adverse effect. You should check with your doctor, first, of course and also with your pharmacist who would be an excellent resource for such information. Hope that helps.