What is isradipine?
Isradipine is in a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers. It works by relaxing the muscles of your heart and blood vessels.
Isradipine is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It is sometimes given with other blood pressure medications.
Isradipine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about isradipine?
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to isradipine.
Before taking isradipine, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, congestive heart failure, or a narrowing or blockage in your digestive tract.
Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. Breaking the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.
Isradipine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Some tablet forms of isradipine are made with a shell that is not absorbed or melted in the body. Therefore, you may see what looks like part of a tablet in your stool. This is a normal side effect of isradipine and will not make the medication less effective.
Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms, so you may not know when your blood pressure is high. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be checked on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking isradipine?
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to isradipine.
Before taking isradipine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take isradipine.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Isradipine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.