isradipine
Isradipine is used to lower blood pressure. The long-acting version and the brand name version of isradipine have been discontinued. But the generic is still available as a capsule that's taken by mouth, typically twice daily. Like all calcium channel blockers, some common side effects of isradipine include swelling, dizziness, and headache.
What is Isradipine?
What is Isradipine used for?
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
How Isradipine works
Isradipine is a calcium channel blocker. It works by relaxing your blood vessels to lower your blood pressure. This also helps your heart to get more oxygen so it doesn't need to work as hard to pump, which can help with chest pain.
Drug facts
Side effects of Isradipine
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Headache (14%)
- Swelling in the legs, feet, or hands (7%)
- Dizziness (7%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Fast heartbeat
- Tiredness
- Flushing
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
- Nausea
Isradipine serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Dangerously low blood pressure: dizziness, lightheadedness, pale skin, feeling faint or fainting
The following Isradipine side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Bloating or swelling of face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
tingling of hands or feet
unusual weight gain or loss
Less common
difficult or labored breathing
dizziness
fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
feeling of warmth
full or bloated feeling
pressure in the stomach
redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper chest
shortness of breath
swelling of abdominal or stomach area
tightness in chest
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of Overdose
Blurred vision
confusion
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly
flushing
sweating
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Headache
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Isradipine
Pros
- Lowers risk of heart attack and stroke caused by high blood pressure
- Can be used in combination with a thiazide-type water pill like hydrochlorothiazide
- Taken by mouth
Cons
- Can cause headache and swelling in the legs and feet
- Typically taken twice daily
- Only available as a capsule
Pharmacist tips for Isradipine
- Take isradipine with or without food at any time of day. If it hurts your stomach, try taking it with food to help.
- It's recommended that you check your blood pressure at home, record it, and bring your log to your medical appointments. Discuss with your provider how well isradipine is working for you.
- Mark your calendar with your appointments to see your provider and to get any blood work done during treatment with isradipine. Your provider might measure your blood pressure, blood potassium level, and kidney function to keep track of how well the medication is working and how safe it is for you.
- You might feel dizzy when you start taking isradipine and when your provider raises your dose. This side effect should lessen over time as you continue taking the medication and your body gets used to your new blood pressure.
- Some people experience swelling in their feet, ankles, legs, or hands when they take isradipine. Talk with your provider if you notice swelling or if the swelling becomes too bothersome. They might recommend tips to ease the swelling, such as sitting or lying down with your legs raised or wearing compression socks.
- If you accidentally miss a dose of isradipine, take it as soon as you remember. But if more than 12 hours have passed since the time you were scheduled to take your dose, then skip that dose and take your next dose at your regularly scheduled time. Don't take 2 doses of isradipine at the same time to make up any missed doses.
- Make sure to keep a healthy diet, including a low-salt diet, while taking isradipine to help lower your blood pressure.
Common questions about Isradipine
Isradipine starts to lower blood pressure in about 2 to 3 hours after you take it. But, it could take up to 2 to 4 weeks to get the full effects of the medication. If you don't see a change in your blood pressure right after you start isradipine, it doesn't mean this medication isn't working. Talk to your provider if you're concerned about how well isradipine is working for you.
You can track how well isradipine is working for you by checking your blood pressure regularly at home. Write down your blood pressure readings and bring them to your appointments with your provider so you can discuss how well isradipine is working for you. Even though you can't directly feel the effects of blood pressure medications like isradipine, make sure to continue taking isradipine unless your provider specifically told you it was safe to stop. Well-controlled blood pressure helps prevent severe and life-threatening health problems, such as heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.
Yes, it's recommended to lower the dose slowly before stopping isradipine. This is to help prevent withdrawal symptoms (e.g., high blood pressure, chest pain, fast heartbeat) from isradipine. If you're wanting to stop taking isradipine, contact your provider to come up with a plan to stop the medication safely.
Both isradipine and amlodipine are calcium channel blockers that work well for treating high blood pressure, but amlodipine (Norvasc) is also used for people with coronary artery disease (clogged arteries in the heart). Isradipine is typically taken twice per day, whereas the dosing for amlodipine (Norvasc) is usually once per day. Amlodipine (Norvasc) is available as liquid and tablet, whereas isradipine is only available as a capsule. Talk with your provider if you've more questions about the difference between isradipine and amlodipine (Norvasc).
If you're pregnant, talk to your provider. There isn't a lot of data from clinical studies available on the safety of isradipine during pregnancy. A small study showed babies born to females who took isradipine weren't harmed. Because treating high blood pressure during pregnancy is very important for the health of you and your baby, your provider will want to discuss with you about safer options to manage your blood pressure.
Let your provider know if you're breastfeeding or thinking about breastfeeding. There haven't been any studies on the safety of isradipine in nursing babies, so your provider will likely recommend a different blood pressure medication during this time.
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Risks and warnings for Isradipine
Isradipine can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Low blood pressure
Isradipine can cause your blood pressure to drop too much, which can make you feel dizzy, tired, or lightheaded. But serious dizziness is pretty rare. These side effects typically happen when you first start the medication or when your provider raises the dose. If your blood pressure drops too much and you feel too dizzy, make sure to sit down slowly while holding onto something. Let your provider know because they might need to adjust the dose of your medication. If you fall and hit your head, get medical help right away.
Risk of worsening heart failure
- Risk factors: Taking a beta-blocker at the same time
If you have heart failure, make sure to follow-up with your provider regularly to monitor your heart health. Isradipine can slow your heart rate and make it more difficult for your heart to pump blood throughout your body, which can worsen heart failure. Your risk for this side effect is higher if you're taking a beta blocker (medications that end with -olol). Let your provider know if you notice symptoms such as trouble breathing, tiredness, and swelling in the hands or feet.
Isradipine dosage
Capsule| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5mg | 180 capsules | $188.44 | $1.05 |
| 2.5mg | 180 capsules | $185.87 | $1.03 |
Typical dosage for Isradipine
The typical starting dose is 2.5 mg by mouth twice daily. If needed, your provider will raise the dose slowly. The typical maintenance dose is 10 mg total daily. The maximum dose is 20 mg daily.
Interactions between Isradipine and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Acecainide
- Acetophenazine
- Ajmaline
- Amiodarone
- Amitriptyline
- Amoxapine
- Aprindine
- Arsenic Trioxide
- Astemizole
- Azimilide
- Bretylium
- Ceritinib
- Chloral Hydrate
- Chloroquine
- Chlorpromazine
- Clarithromycin
- Clopidogrel
- Dantrolene
- Desipramine
- Dibenzepin
- Digoxin
- Disopyramide
- Dofetilide
- Dolasetron
- Doxepin
- Dronedarone
- Droperidol
- Encainide
- Enflurane
- Epirubicin
- Erythromycin
- Ethopropazine
- Flecainide
- Fluconazole
- Fluoxetine
- Fluphenazine
- Foscarnet
- Gemifloxacin
- Halofantrine
- Halothane
- Hydroquinidine
- Ibutilide
- Imipramine
- Isoflurane
- Lacosamide
- Lidoflazine
- Lorcainide
- Methotrimeprazine
- Nortriptyline
- Octreotide
- Ondansetron
- Pentamidine
- Perphenazine
- Pipotiazine
- Pirmenol
- Prajmaline
- Probucol
- Procainamide
- Prochlorperazine
- Promazine
- Promethazine
- Propafenone
- Propiomazine
- Protriptyline
- Quinidine
- Sematilide
- Sotalol
- Spiramycin
- St John's Wort
- Sulfamethoxazole
- Tedisamil
- Telithromycin
- Thiethylperazine
- Trifluoperazine
- Triflupromazine
- Trimeprazine
- Trimethoprim
- Trimipramine
- Zolmitriptan
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Amprenavir
- Dalfopristin
- Indinavir
- Ketoconazole
- Magnesium
- Quinupristin
- Rifampin
- Rifapentine
How much does Isradipine cost?
$185.87
What are alternatives to Isradipine?
Isradipine images
