Nifedepine Drug Study

In making a Drug Study, the following elements must be present: Generic Name and the Brand name (not all brands, just the brand used by the patient), Action, Indication, Pregnancy Category, Drug Classification, and Contraindication, Adverse Effect, Drug interaction and Nursing Consideration/Intervention…. Most clinical instructors preferred this to be in a long bond paper in printed or handwritten with paper in landscape.

Nifedipine

Brand Name: Adalat, Adalat CC, Adalat XL (CAN), Apo-Nifed (CAN), Gen-Nifedipine (CAN), Nifedical XL, Novo-Nifedin (CAN), Procardia, Procardia XL

Pregnancy Category C

Drug classes: Calcium channel-blocker, Antianginal agent, Antihypertensive

Therapeutic actions

Inhibits the movement of calcium ions across the membranes of cardiac and arterial muscle cells; inhibition of transmembrane calcium flow results in the depression of impulse formation in specialized cardiac pacemaker cells, in slowing of the velocity of conduction of the cardiac impulse, in the depression of myocardial contractility, and in the dilation of coronary arteries and arterioles and peripheral arterioles; these effects lead to decreased cardiac work, decreased cardiac energy consumption, and increased delivery of oxygen to myocardial cells.

Indications

· Angina pectoris due to coronary artery spasm (Prinzmetal's variant angina)

· Chronic stable angina (effort-associated angina)

· Treatment of hypertension (sustained-release preparation only)

· Orphan drug use: treatment of interstitial cystitis

Contraindications

· Contraindicated with allergy to nifedipine; pregnancy.

Adverse effects

Dizziness, light-headedness, headache, asthenia, fatigue, nervousness, sleep disturbances, blurred vision, Peripheral edema, angina, hypotension, arrhythmias, AV block, asystole, Flushing, rash, dermatitis, pruritus, urticaria, Nausea, diarrhea, constipation, cramps, flatulence, hepatic injury, Nasal congestion, cough, fever, chills, shortness of breath, muscle cramps, joint stiffness, sexual difficulties

Drug Interactions:

· Increased effects with cimetidine

Nursing considerations

· Monitor patient carefully (BP, cardiac rhythm, and output) while drug is being adjusted to therapeutic dose; the dosage may be increased more rapidly in hospitalized patients under close supervision. Do not exceed 30 mg/dose increases.

· Ensure that patients do not chew or divide sustained-release tablets.

· Taper dosage of beta-blockers before nifedipine therapy.

· Protect drug from light and moisture.