Description:
Cardiofin Tablet is a sustained-release (prolonged-release) formulation of nifedipine, a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and chronic stable angina (chest pain due to coronary artery disease). It relaxes and widens blood vessels, reduces peripheral vascular resistance, lowers blood pressure, and decreases the heart’s workload and oxygen demand. The 30mg sustained-release tablet provides gradual drug release for once-daily dosing and smoother blood pressure control. In Ghana (Accra), it is a commonly prescribed, affordable antihypertensive available in pharmacies for long-term management of hypertension and angina.
Prescription:
Therapeutic Category:
- Calcium Channel Blocker / Dihydropyridine Antihypertensive / Anti-anginal Agent .
Active Ingredients/Composition:
Variant:
- Cardiofin 30mg sustained-release tablets (standard once-daily strength). Related variants: Cardiofin/Nifedipine 10mg or 20mg immediate-release tablets (shorter-acting), Nifedipine 60mg sustained-release (higher dose), or combination products (e.g., nifedipine + valsartan). The 30mg sustained-release tablet is the most common once-daily formulation.
Consume Type:
- Oral – Sustained-release film-coated tablet (swallow whole with water; do not crush, chew, split, or dissolve – destroys controlled-release mechanism).
Directions/Usage:
- Adults (hypertension or angina): 30 mg once daily (usual starting and maintenance dose).
- May be increased to 60 mg once daily if needed (maximum usually 90 mg/day).
- Take at the same time each day, preferably in the morning.
- Can be taken with or without food (high-fat meals may slightly delay absorption but not clinically significant).
- Duration: Long-term (often lifelong) for hypertension/angina; do not stop suddenly without medical advice (rebound hypertension risk).
- Regular blood pressure monitoring required.
Common Side Effects: Common:
- Peripheral edema (swelling of ankles/feet – most frequent).
- Headache (usually transient).
- Flushing (warmth/redness of face).
- Dizziness or light-headedness.
- Palpitations or tachycardia.
- Fatigue. Less common: Nausea, abdominal pain, muscle cramps, gingival hyperplasia (long-term use). Rare/serious (seek help): Severe hypotension, angina worsening, myocardial infarction, severe allergic reactions, or severe skin reactions.
Package Type:
- Blister packs (commonly 3×10 = 30 tablets; foil blisters in carton with patient information leaflet and dosage instructions).
Storage Advice:
- Store at room temperature (below 25–30°C) in original packaging, protected from moisture and light. Keep tightly closed. Out of reach of children.
Safety Advice:
- Contraindicated in hypersensitivity to nifedipine/dihydropyridines, severe hypotension, cardiogenic shock, severe aortic stenosis, or unstable angina.
- Caution in severe hepatic impairment (start low dose), heart failure (may worsen), elderly (increased hypotension/edema risk), or concomitant use of beta-blockers (additive effects).
- Monitor blood pressure regularly, especially when starting or increasing dose.
- Edema is common but usually benign; report if severe or accompanied by shortness of breath (possible heart failure worsening).
- Avoid grapefruit juice (increases drug levels and side effects).
- If severe dizziness, chest pain, swelling, or rash occurs, seek medical care immediately.
- Keep out of reach of children (overdose risk).
Product Substitutes: Similar nifedipine 30mg sustained-release tablets in Ghana include:
- Generic nifedipine 30mg prolonged-release tablets (various importers).
- Adalat LA / Adalat Retard (original Bayer brand if stocked).
- Other brands like Nifedipine Retard, Nifebene, or local generics. Alternatives: Amlodipine 5mg/10mg (Norvasc generics – longer-acting, fewer side effects), felodipine, lercanidipine, or non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (diltiazem, verapamil). Consult cardiologist/physician in Accra for alternatives.
Manufacturer/Marketer:
Country of Origin:
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