Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker medicine used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
If you have high blood pressure, taking nifedipine helps to prevent future heart disease, heart attacks and strokes.
Nifedipine is also used to prevent chest pain caused by angina. Occasionally, it's used to treat Raynaud's phenomenon and chilblains.
Nifedipine is only available on prescription.
It comes as tablets or capsules. It also comes as a liquid or drops to swallow.
Key facts
- Nifedipine works by lowering your blood pressure and making it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body.
- It starts to work on the day you start taking it, but it may take a couple of weeks to fully take effect. If you have high blood pressure, you may not have any symptoms, so nifedipine may not make you feel any different. But still continue to take it because it is still working.
- The most common side effects include headaches, flushing, constipation, a general feeling of being unwell, and swollen ankles. These usually get better after a few days of treatment.
- Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice while you're taking nifedipine. It can cause side effects or make them worse.
- Nifedipine is also called by the brand names Tensipine and Valni.
Page last reviewed: 18 February 2022
Next review due: 18 February 2025
