felodipine ER
Felodipine ER (Plendil) is a calcium channel blocker. It lowers blood pressure by relaxing your blood vessels. This medication is one of the first-choice options for treating high blood pressure in adults. It's taken by mouth, typically once daily. Some side effects of this medication include swelling, headache, and flushing. Brand name Plendil has been discontinued.
What is Felodipine ER (Plendil)?
What is Felodipine ER (Plendil) used for?
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
How Felodipine ER (Plendil) works
Felodipine ER (Plendil) is a calcium channel blocker. It works by relaxing your blood vessels to lower your blood pressure.
Drug facts
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Side effects of Felodipine ER (Plendil)
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
- Swelling in the arms, hands, legs, or feet (up to 17%)
- Headache (up to 15%)
- Flushing (up to 7%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Low energy
- Stomach upset
- Dizziness
- Constipation
Felodipine ER (Plendil) 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
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The following Felodipine ER (Plendil) 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
rapid weight gain
tingling of hands or feet
unusual weight gain or loss
Less common
Body aches or pain
chills
difficulty in breathing
ear congestion
headache
loss of voice
unusual tiredness or weakness
Incidence not known
Blurred vision
chest pain, tightness, or heaviness
confusion
congestion
cough producing mucus
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly
fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
general feeling of discomfort or illness
hoarseness
joint pain
large, hive-like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
loss of appetite
muscle aches and pains
pain or discomfort in arms, jaw, back, or neck
pale skin
shivering
shortness of breath
sweating
swelling or puffiness of face
tender or swollen glands in neck
trouble in swallowing
trouble sleeping
troubled breathing with exertion
unusual bleeding or bruising
voice changes
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of overdose
Feeling of warmth
redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper chest
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:
Less common
Acid or sour stomach
belching
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
indigestion
lack or loss of strength
skin rash
stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
Incidence not known
Bloated or full feeling
bloody nose
burning while urinating
decreased interest in sexual intercourse
difficult or painful urination
difficulty in moving
discouragement
disturbed color perception
double vision
excess air or gas in stomach or intestines
feeling sad or empty
fear or nervousness
frequent strong or increased urge to urinate
halos around lights
hives or welts
inability to have or keep an erection
increased need to urinate
increased volume of pale or dilute urine
irritability
loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
loss of interest or pleasure
muscle cramps or stiffness
night blindness
overbright appearance of lights
pain or tenderness around eyes and cheekbones
passing gas
passing urine more often
redness of skin
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
sores, welting, or blisters
swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males
swollen joints
tiredness
trouble concentrating
tunnel vision
unable to sleep
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 Felodipine ER (Plendil)
Pros
- Taken by mouth
- Taken once daily
- Available as a lower-cost generic medication
Cons
- Only available as a tablet
- Not a good choice if you've heart failure
- Not recommended in pregnancy
Pharmacist tips for Felodipine ER (Plendil)
- Take felodipine ER (Plendil) at the same time every day on an empty stomach or with a light meal. But don't take it with a heavy meal because this can lead to higher medication levels in your body, which can cause side effects.
- Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice because grapefruit can raise levels of felodipine ER (Plendil) in your body and cause more side effects.
- If you're just starting felodipine ER (Plendil), it can take about 2 to 4 weeks before you see the full effects on your blood pressure. During this time, your provider might adjust your dose every 2 weeks before they're able to find a dose that works best for you.
- Check your blood pressure at home regularly, especially when you first start taking felodipine ER (Plendil) or any time there's a change in your dose. Bring your blood pressure numbers to your medical appointments to help your provider understand how well felodipine ER (Plendil) is working for you.
- You might feel dizzy when you start taking felodipine ER (Plendil) 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 felodipine ER (Plendil). 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.
- Some people have reported mild gum swelling while taking felodipine ER (Plendil). Be sure to practice good dental hygiene, such as brushing your teeth at least twice daily with a soft toothbrush, to lower your risk of this.
- Talk to your provider if you're pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant. There's limited information about whether felodipine ER (Plendil) is safe to take during pregnancy. Your provider can talk with you about possible options because it's important to treat high blood pressure during pregnancy.
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Common questions about Felodipine ER (Plendil)
No, felodipine ER (Plendil) isn't a diuretic (water pill); it's a calcium channel blocker (CCB).
No, felodipine ER (Plendil) isn't a beta blocker; it's a calcium channel blocker. Both medications can help lower blood pressure, but they work in different ways.
No, don't cut, split, chew, or crush felodipine ER (Plendil) tablets. They are extended-release medications that have a special coating over the tablets. Cutting the tablet will damage the coating and affect how the medication is released in the body. Contact your provider if you're having trouble swallowing the felodipine ER (Plendil) tablets and they can talk with you about your options.
Felodipine ER (Plendil) is typically taken just once daily, and its effects are expected to last 24 hours. But depending on how your body responds to felodipine ER (Plendil), your provider might adjust how and when you take the medication. Don't make changes to your medication without first talking to your provider.
It's best to avoid drinking alcohol if you're taking blood pressure medications. Drinking regularly can raise your blood pressure and cause felodipine ER (Plendil) or other blood pressure medications to not work as well. Doing so can also worsen side effects of the medications, such as dizziness. If it's difficult for you to cut out alcohol completely, talk to your provider. They can recommend resources to help you quit or give guidance on what's a safer amount for you to drink.
Though rare, some people taking felodipine ER (Plendil) have reported dry mouth as a side effect. If you get a dry mouth from felodipine ER (Plendil), let your provider know. They might recommend ways to relieve your symptoms, such as using saliva substitutes, chewing sugar-free gum, or drinking small sips of water throughout the day.
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Risks and warnings for Felodipine ER (Plendil)
Felodipine ER (Plendil) 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.
Severely low blood pressure
Felodipine ER (Plendil) can cause your blood pressure to drop too much, which can make you feel dizzy, tired, or lightheaded. This is a common side effect of blood pressure medications, especially when starting the medication and when the dose is raised. 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.
Caution with heart failure
- Risk factors: Taking beta-blocker medications
It isn't known if felodipine ER (Plendil) is safe to use in people with heart failure. Make sure to follow up with your provider regularly to monitor your heart health, especially if you're also taking a beta-blocker (e.g., metoprolol (Lopressor)). Contact your provider if you experience symptoms of worsening heart failure such as abnormal weight gain, difficulty breathing (especially when you lie down), or swelling anywhere in your body.
Swelling
- Risk factors: Older adults | High dose
Mild swelling in your arms, hands, legs, or feet is a common side effect of felodipine ER (Plendil) that typically happens after about 2 to 3 weeks. Your risk is higher if you're taking a higher dose or if you're an older adult. This side effect is usually harmless, but let your provider know if it's bothersome. Swelling in your body can also be a sign of a medical problem, so make sure to follow up regularly with your provider.
Felodipine ER (Plendil) dosage
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10mg | 90 tablets | $23.14 | $0.26 |
| 2.5mg | 90 tablets | $23.35 | $0.26 |
| 5mg | 90 tablets | $22.96 | $0.26 |
Typical dosage for Felodipine ER (Plendil)
- Adults: The typical starting dose is 5 mg by mouth once daily. The typical dose ranges from 2.5 mg to 10 mg daily.
Your dose might differ if you're 65 years of age or older or if you have liver problems.
Interactions between Felodipine ER (Plendil) 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.
- Atazanavir
- Carbamazepine
- Ceritinib
- Clarithromycin
- Clopidogrel
- Conivaptan
- Cyclosporine
- Dantrolene
- Digoxin
- Doxorubicin
- Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposome
- Droperidol
- Duvelisib
- Epirubicin
- Fosnetupitant
- Idelalisib
- Ivosidenib
- Lacosamide
- Larotrectinib
- Lefamulin
- Lorlatinib
- Lumacaftor
- Mibefradil
- Morphine
- Morphine Sulfate Liposome
- Netupitant
- Nilotinib
- Pixantrone
- St John's Wort
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
- Fluconazole
- Indinavir
- Magnesium
- Nelfinavir
- Oxcarbazepine
- Phenobarbital
- Quinupristin
- Rifapentine
How much does Felodipine ER (Plendil) cost?
$22.96
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