Adalat Information

Usage: Adalat is in a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers. Adalat relaxes (widens) your blood vessels (veins and arteries), which makes it easier for the heart to pump and reduces its workload. Adalat is used to lower hypertension (high blood pressure) and to treat angina (chest pain).

Directions: Take Adalat exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. Take each dose with a full glass of water. Adalat CC should be taken on an empty stomach. Do not crush, chew, or break any form of Adalat. Swallow the pills whole. Do not consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment with Adalat. Adalat can interact with grapefruit and grapefruit juice, and the interaction may have dangerous effects. You should discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor. Occasionally, the Procardia XL tablet shell may be seen in the stool. This is not harmful. The medicine has been absorbed by the body and the tablet shell is designed to be eliminated in the stool. Do not stop taking Adalat without first talking to your doctor, even if you begin to feel better. If you stop taking the medication, your condition could become worse.

Side Effects: If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Adalat and contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment: an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); unusually fast or slow heartbeats; severe dizziness or fainting; psychosis; yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice); or swelling of the legs or ankles. Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Adalat and talk to your doctor if you experience headache, fatigue, or tiredness; flushing; insomnia; vivid or abnormal dreams; nausea or constipation; or increased urination. Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Precautions: Do not consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment with Adalat. Adalat can interact with grapefruit and grapefruit juice, and the interaction may have dangerous effects. You should discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor. Follow any recommendations your doctor makes about diet or exercise. Use caution when you stand or sit up from a lying position, especially if you wake up during the night. You may become dizzy when changing positions. Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may further lower blood pressure and increase drowsiness or dizziness while taking Adalat.

Drug Interactions: Before taking Adalat, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs: another heart medication to treat the same or another condition; cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB); erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Eryc, Ery-Tab, others); itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral); carbamazepine (Tegretol); phenytoin (Dilantin); or rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane) or rifabutin (Mycobutin). You may not be able to take Adalat, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above. Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Adalat or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.

If You Take Too Much: Seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of a Adalat overdose include dizziness, weakness, chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, an unusually fast or slow heartbeat, coma, slurred speech, and confusion.

Missed Dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

Storage: Store Adalat at room temperature away from moisture and heat.