Clinidipine
About
Clinidipine belongs to the class of blood pressure-lowering medications called 'calcium channel blockers' primarily used to treat hypertension. Hypertension is a medical condition in which blood pressure is elevated persistently in the blood vessels (arteries). If hypertension is left, untreated can lead to heart disease and stroke attack.
Clinidipine contains 'Clinidipine' that helps dilates (widens) blood vessels, thereby increasing the heart's blood flow. The phenomena of vasodilation (widening) of the heart’s blood vessels reduce the heart's workload and muscles. Thus, Clinidipine improves the blood flow and oxygen delivery to the heart tissue, thereby lowering the raised blood pressure on the blood vessel's arteries.
Take Clinidipine as prescribed by the doctor. In some cases, Clinidipine can cause side effects like sleepiness, oedema (fluid retention), ankle swelling, fatigue, headache, flushing (feeling warmth in the face, ears, neck and trunk), dizziness, palpitations (irregular heartbeat), stomach upset and abdominal pain. Most of these side effects of Clinidipine do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if these side effects persist longer, please consult your doctor.
If you are known to be allergic to Clinidipine or any other medicines, please inform your doctor. Before taking Clinidipine, let your doctor know if you have any heart, kidney or liver problems, diabetes, hypotension (low blood pressure), electrolyte imbalance and dehydration. Avoid potassium supplements with Clinidipine as it may lead to high potassium levels in the blood. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should also consult their doctor before taking Clinidipine. Please do not stop taking Clinidipine on your own, as it may lead to the recurrence of symptoms or worsen the disease. Do not consume alcohol with Clinidipine as it may increase the risk of low blood pressure.
Uses of Clinidipine
Medicinal Benefits
Clinidipine is an anti-hypertensive drug that treats high blood pressure (hypertension). It contains Clinidipine, a calcium channel blocker that dilates (widens) blood vessels and increases blood flow. Clinidipine works by widening the heart’s blood vessels and reduces peripheral vascular resistance (constriction of blood vessels that leads to high blood pressure). Reduced peripheral vascular resistance improves the blood flow and oxygen delivery to the heart tissue.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Clinidipine
- Sleepiness
- Oedema (fluid retention)
- Ankle swelling
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Flushing (feeling warmth in the face, ears, neck and trunk)
- Dizziness
- Palpitations (irregular heartbeat)
- Stomach upset
- Abdominal pain
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Monitor your blood pressure levels regularly. Brief your medical history if you have kidney or liver problems, severe dehydration, low blood pressure, diabetes and heart diseases (aortic stenosis, heart failure) before starting Clinidipine. Too much sweating, diarrhoea, or vomiting while using Clinidipine may lead to dehydration, hence it is advised to drink enough fluids. Consult your doctor before using Clinidipine if you are a pregnant or breastfeeding mother. Complete the course strictly as suggested by the doctor, even if you feel better, to avoid disease recurrence. Avoid consumption of alcohol with Clinidipine as it may increase the risk of low blood pressure. Safety and effectiveness of Clinidipine in paediatric patients has not been established.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Clinidipine may interact with heart-related drugs (quinidine), anticancer drugs (aldesleukin), fits medicine (phenytoin), antibiotics (rifampicin, erythromycin) and other blood pressure medicines.
Drug-Food Interaction: Do not consume alcohol, grapefruit, or grapefruit juice, as it may increase the side effects of Clinidipine.
Drug-Disease Interaction: People with low blood pressure, kidney or liver problems, severe dehydration, diabetes and heart diseases should consult the doctor before taking Clinidipine.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeIt is unsafe to consume alcohol, since alcohol consumption with Clinidipine may increase the risk of low blood pressure and cause adverse effects, such as dizziness, fainting, light-headedness or headache.
Pregnancy
cautionIt is not known if Clinidipine affects pregnancy. Consult your doctor before taking Clinidipine if you plan to become pregnant or already pregnant. Your doctor will weigh the potential risks and benefits before prescribing Clinidipine.
Breast Feeding
cautionThere is no evidence on how Clinidipine affects breastfeeding. Please consult your doctor before taking Clinidipine if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
cautionClinidipine may cause side effects like dizziness, headaches, nausea or tiredness, which can affect your ability to concentrate and drive. Hence, it is recommended not to drive or operate machinery until you are mentally alert.
Liver
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases before taking Clinidipine. The dosage will be initiated in lower doses and will be further increased in patients with liver diseases. However, Clinidipine is not recommended in patients with severe hepatic impairment.
Kidney
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases before taking Clinidipine.
Children
unsafeSafety and effectiveness of Clinidipine in paediatric patients has not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Reduce sodium intake in your diet to maintain your blood pressure.
- Eat natural and healthy foods by cutting down on high on sodium processed foods.
- Lose those extra pounds, since being obese can be a risk factor for hypertension.
- Exercise regularly to maintain good heart health.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol intake.
- Chronic stress may also cause high blood pressure. Therefore, avoid stress triggers and make time for yourself to relax and do activities that you enjoy.
- Try to include heart-healthy omega 3 fatty acids containing food drinks in your daily diet. You can also use low-fat cooking oil like olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil and coconut oil to lower your elevated blood pressure.
- Limit sodium chloride intake (table salt) in your daily diet to 2300 mg per day or less than 1500 mg is ideal for most adults.
Special Advise
- Keep a check on your daily blood pressure, and if you notice any fluctuations, please consult a doctor.
- You may be asked by your doctor to undergo blood and urine tests if you have been suffering from vomiting or dehydration.
- Your dietician may prescribe you a suitable exercise program and diet to manage your blood pressure.
- This medicine should not be administered with grapefruit juice as it reduces the absorption of Clinidipine in the body.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hypertension: It is a medical condition in which blood pressure is elevated persistently in the arteries. It is considered as an essential risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and can be caused due to obesity, diabetes, smoking, high salt intake, stress, lack of physical activity or ageing. Blood pressure is measured in the ratio of systolic pressure to diastolic pressure. Systolic pressure is the pressure when the heart pumps blood out. On the other hand, diastolic pressure is the pressure when your heart is at the resting stage between heartbeats. If your blood pressure is 140/90 mm of Hg, it means the systolic pressure is 140 mm of Hg and, diastolic pressure is 90 mm of Hg. Ideal blood pressure range lies in between 90/60 mmHg and 120/80 mmHg. If the blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg or greater, it is considered high blood pressure.
FAQs
Clinidipine contains Clinidipine, a calcium blocker which relaxes and widens the constricted blood vessels due to raised blood pressure. It improves the blood supply and oxygen delivery to the body. Thus Clinidipine lowers the overload on the heart's muscle, like this, our heart does not have to work hard to pump blood heavily, thereby lowering raised blood pressure.
Clinidipine can make you feel dizzy. Dizziness usually occurs when you suddenly stand up from a lying or sitting position. Try rising slowly when you change your posture to relieve from dizziness. If the side effect persists longer, please seek medical help.
Clinidipine may cause ankle swelling upon long term use. Please try to keep your feet at elevated levels when sitting for long hours or sleeping. If the problem persists, consult your doctor and do as advised.
Do not stop using Clinidipine even if you feel better. It should be strictly used as advised by your doctor to avoid the recurrence of symptoms and worsening of the disease.
Please inform your doctor if you are taking Clinidipine and need to undergo any surgery. Your doctor may ask you to stop using Clinidipine or prescribe any alternate medication, because blood pressure may be further lowered if taken along with general anaesthesia.
