Calcium Channel Blocker·Cardiovascular - Antihypertensives

Felodipine

Hypertension

PBSCCBPlendil ER, Felodur ER2.5 mg tabletS4+1

No source link confirmed for this record yet. Its own source notes are under Additional.

At a glance

Max Dose

20 mg/day

Half-life

11–16 h

Caution: Edema

COMMON

Renal Adj.

NOT REQ.

Cautions

Avoid / Cautions

Uncompensated heart failure, acute MI (within 1 month), severe aortic stenosis. Pregnancy Category C. Do not use.

Where it stands

Rapid Summary

Overview

Highly vascular-selective dihydropyridine CCB. Potent peripheral vasodilator with no negative inotropic effects on the heart.

Clinical Focus

Must be swallowed whole (extended-release). Avoid grapefruit juice entirely as it dramatically spikes plasma levels.

Bottom Line

Felodipine is a potent vascular-selective CCB for resistant hypertension, but must be swallowed whole and grapefruit juice is absolutely contraindicated.

Formulation & Access

Brand Names

Plendil ER, Felodur ER

Oral Routes

Do not crush

Extended-release tablets (2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg). Do not crush.

Prescribing & PBS

Unrestricted General Benefit (S4).

Indications & Use

Primary

PBSTGA

Hypertension.

Clinical Place

Second-line or add-on antihypertensive. Useful in isolated systolic hypertension in the elderly.

Quick reference

Class & Role

Calcium Channel Blocker — Highly vascular-selective dihydropyridine CCB.

Route / Formulation

Extended-release tablets (2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg). Do not crush. (Plendil ER, Felodur ER)

Usual Dose & Max

PO 2.5–5 mg OD. May increase gradually to Max 20 mg/day.

Key Indication Doses

Hypertension: PO 2.5–5 mg OD. May increase gradually to Max 20 mg/day. Elderly / Hepatic Impaired: Start at PO 2.5 mg OD. Target 5-10 mg/day. Max 10 mg/day in severe hepatic impairment.

Best Uses

Felodipine is a potent vascular-selective CCB for resistant hypertension, but must be swallowed whole and grapefruit juice is absolutely contraindicated.

Key Risks

Cardiovascular: Peripheral oedema (non-hydrostatic, worse at high doses). MODERATE — Flushing, reflex tachycardia. Neurological: Headache (usually transient upon initiation). Gastrointestinal: Gingival hyperplasia.

Key Interactions

CYP3A4 inhibitors (macrolides, azoles, grapefruit juice) vastly increase felodipine levels causing severe hypotension. Inducers (carbamazepine, phenytoin) will drastically reduce efficacy.

Monitoring

Monitor BP and assess for peripheral oedema. Routine U&E monitoring not required.

Clinical Pearl

Grapefruit irreversibly blocks intestinal CYP3A4 for up to 72 hours. One glass can double felodipine bioavailability, leading to shock.

Access

Plendil ER, Felodur ER2.5 mg tablet

Brand: Plendil ER, Felodur ER
Formulation: Extended-release tablets (2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg). Do not crush.

From this page

No calculator, monitoring schedule or factsheet is linked to this medicine page yet.

Calcium Channel Blocker·Cardiovascular - Antihypertensives

Felodipine

Hypertension

PBSCCBPlendil ER, Felodur ER2.5 mg tabletS4+1

No source link confirmed for this record yet. Its own source notes are under Additional.

At a glance

Max Dose

20 mg/day

Half-life

11–16 h

Caution: Edema

COMMON

Renal Adj.

NOT REQ.

Cautions

Avoid / Cautions

Uncompensated heart failure, acute MI (within 1 month), severe aortic stenosis. Pregnancy Category C. Do not use.

Where it stands

Rapid Summary

Overview

Highly vascular-selective dihydropyridine CCB. Potent peripheral vasodilator with no negative inotropic effects on the heart.

Clinical Focus

Must be swallowed whole (extended-release). Avoid grapefruit juice entirely as it dramatically spikes plasma levels.

Bottom Line

Felodipine is a potent vascular-selective CCB for resistant hypertension, but must be swallowed whole and grapefruit juice is absolutely contraindicated.

Formulation & Access

Brand Names

Plendil ER, Felodur ER

Oral Routes

Do not crush

Extended-release tablets (2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg). Do not crush.

Prescribing & PBS

Unrestricted General Benefit (S4).

Indications & Use

Primary

PBSTGA

Hypertension.

Clinical Place

Second-line or add-on antihypertensive. Useful in isolated systolic hypertension in the elderly.

Quick reference

Class & Role

Calcium Channel Blocker — Highly vascular-selective dihydropyridine CCB.

Route / Formulation

Extended-release tablets (2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg). Do not crush. (Plendil ER, Felodur ER)

Usual Dose & Max

PO 2.5–5 mg OD. May increase gradually to Max 20 mg/day.

Key Indication Doses

Hypertension: PO 2.5–5 mg OD. May increase gradually to Max 20 mg/day. Elderly / Hepatic Impaired: Start at PO 2.5 mg OD. Target 5-10 mg/day. Max 10 mg/day in severe hepatic impairment.

Best Uses

Felodipine is a potent vascular-selective CCB for resistant hypertension, but must be swallowed whole and grapefruit juice is absolutely contraindicated.

Key Risks

Key Interactions

CYP3A4 inhibitors (macrolides, azoles, grapefruit juice) vastly increase felodipine levels causing severe hypotension. Inducers (carbamazepine, phenytoin) will drastically reduce efficacy.

Monitoring

Monitor BP and assess for peripheral oedema. Routine U&E monitoring not required.

Clinical Pearl

Grapefruit irreversibly blocks intestinal CYP3A4 for up to 72 hours. One glass can double felodipine bioavailability, leading to shock.

Access

Plendil ER, Felodur ER2.5 mg tablet

Brand: Plendil ER, Felodur ER
Formulation: Extended-release tablets (2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg). Do not crush.

From this page

No calculator, monitoring schedule or factsheet is linked to this medicine page yet.