Drugs
Adalat Oros
Generic Name: Nifedipine
Product Name: Adalat Oros
- Indication of Adalat Oros
- Action of Adalat Oros
- Dose Advice of Adalat Oros
- Schedule of Adalat Oros
- Common side effects of Adalat Oros
- Uncommon side effects of Adalat Oros
- Reference
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Indication of Adalat Oros:
Adalat Oros contains the active ingredient nifedipine which belongs to a group of medicines called calcium channel blockers. Adalat Oros is mainly used for the treatment of high blood pressure (also called hypertension). This is often an asymptomatic condition where the pressure within the walls of blood vessels is too high. If left untreated hypertension can cause lead to serious effects such as stroke or heart attack. Adalat Oros when taken regularly helps to lower blood pressure. The other primary use of Adalat Oros is for prevention of angina attacks. This condition causes chest pain or discomfort when the heart muscle is deprived of oxygen. Adalat Oros helps reduce the frequency of angina attacks and improves exercise tolerance by dilating blood vessels that supply to the heart. However, it is not suitable for treatment of acute attacks (due to its slow onset of action) where medicines such as sublingual nitrates are required.Action of Adalat Oros:
Adalat Oros contains the active substance nifedipine. This medication belongs to a group of medicines called calcium channel blockers which inhibit the movement of calcium into cells within the heart and vessels. Calcium is an important component for contraction of muscle cells within the body. Adalat Oros acts specifically on cells within blood vessels to stop them from contracting, in order to dialte blood vessels. This lowers the tension in there walls causing a lowering in blood pressure. This is the main mechanism that Adalat Oros treats hypertension. In addition, Adalat Oros dilates blood vessels supplying the heart so the heart muscle gets more oxygen. Dilation of all peripheral vessels also reduces the load on the heart to pump against the resistant vessels. (Think of how much harder you would have to pump to get air into a tight hose compared to a wider one!) This is how it is thought to relieve angina. Remember that this is a disease caused by insufficient oxygen reaching the heart muscle to meet its demands.Dose Advice of Adalat Oros:
Adalat Oros comes as round tablets that are rose-pink in colour. They are coated with a special substances to produce a delayed release in the body. The outer capsule of the tablets are not meant to be absorbed by the body so you may notice empty 'ghost-tablets' in your stools. All Adalat Oros tablets should be swallowed whole with water. You should not crush, cut or divide the tablets. Adalat can be taken with or without food. There are currently three dose of Adalat Oros available which contain 20, 30 or 60 milligrams of the active component nifedipine. They all come blister packs of 30 tablets. Before taking Adalat Oros it is important that you:- Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to medicines, food dyes or preservatiives. Adalat Oros is not suitable if you are allergic to dihydrpyridine medications or any of the other inactive components of the tablets.
- Let your doctor know all the medications you are taking (including ones bought at the supermarket or chemist). This is important as Adalat Oros can react with other drugs in the body that use the same mechanisms for breaking down and excreting the drug.
- Inform your doctor of any medical conditions you may have or that you have experienced in the past including heart failure, low blood pressure, liver disease, diabetes, blockages within your gut or prolonged diarrhoea.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or intend on becoming pregnant. Aldalat Oros should not be used during pregnancy or lactation. It can reduce oxygen supplies to the fetus and lead to fetal complications.
- In addition, Adalat Oros should not be used within 8 days of you suffering a heart attack.
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