Plendil: Effective Blood Pressure Control for Cardiovascular Health
Plendil
| Product dosage: 5mg | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Package (num) | Per pill | Price | Buy |
| 60 | $0.95 | $57.00 (0%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| 90 | $0.88 | $85.50 $79.00 (8%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| 120 | $0.83 | $114.00 $100.00 (12%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| 180 | $0.79 | $171.00 $143.00 (16%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| 270 | $0.76 | $256.50 $206.00 (20%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| 360 | $0.74
Best per pill | $342.00 $267.00 (22%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
Synonyms | |||
Plendil (felodipine) is a calcium channel blocker medication prescribed for the management of hypertension. It functions by relaxing the blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily and thereby reducing high blood pressure. Consistent use under medical supervision can significantly lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney problems. This medication is part of a comprehensive treatment plan that often includes diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes. It is available in extended-release tablet form to provide 24-hour control with once-daily dosing.
Features
- Active ingredient: Felodipine
- Drug class: Dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker
- Available strengths: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg extended-release tablets
- Administration: Oral, once daily
- Mechanism: Selective inhibition of calcium influx into vascular smooth muscle and cardiac muscle
- Formulation: Extended-release for consistent 24-hour plasma concentration
Benefits
- Provides sustained 24-hour blood pressure control with a single daily dose
- Reduces peripheral vascular resistance without compromising cardiac output
- Lowers the risk of major cardiovascular events including stroke and myocardial infarction
- Demonstrates excellent tolerability profile with minimal metabolic interference
- Shows particular efficacy in elderly hypertensive patients and those with isolated systolic hypertension
- May be used as monotherapy or in combination with other antihypertensive agents
Common use
Plendil is primarily indicated for the management of essential hypertension, both as monotherapy and in combination with other antihypertensive agents. It is particularly effective in patients with salt-sensitive hypertension and shows good efficacy in elderly populations. The medication may also be used off-label for certain cases of Raynaud’s phenomenon and in the management of chronic stable angina when beta-blockers are contraindicated. Clinical studies have demonstrated its effectiveness across diverse patient demographics, including those with comorbid diabetes mellitus.
Dosage and direction
The recommended initial dosage for most adults is 5 mg once daily, which may be adjusted based on therapeutic response and tolerability. Dosage adjustments should occur at intervals of not less than 2 weeks. The maximum recommended dosage is 10 mg daily. Tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water, without crushing or chewing, and may be taken with or without food. Administration in the morning is generally recommended to maintain consistent 24-hour coverage. For elderly patients or those with hepatic impairment, initiation at 2.5 mg daily is recommended with careful monitoring.
Precautions
Patients should be monitored for peripheral edema, which is dose-related and more common in elderly patients. Regular blood pressure monitoring is essential, particularly during initiation and titration periods. Use with caution in patients with heart failure or severe aortic stenosis due to potential negative inotropic effects. Hepatic impairment requires dosage adjustment and careful monitoring as felodipine metabolism is significantly affected by liver function. Patients should avoid grapefruit juice as it may increase felodipine bioavailability. Abrupt discontinuation should be avoided to prevent rebound hypertension.
Contraindications
Plendil is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to felodipine or any component of the formulation. It should not be used in patients with severe hypotension (systolic pressure <90 mmHg). The medication is contraindicated in patients with cardiogenic shock and those with unstable angina except when used in combination with beta-blockers. Concomitant use with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, or clarithromycin is contraindicated due to significantly increased felodipine exposure.
Possible side effects
Common side effects (≥1%) include peripheral edema (dose-dependent), headache, flushing, dizziness, and fatigue. Less frequent adverse reactions (0.1-1%) include palpitations, nausea, abdominal discomfort, and gingival hyperplasia. Rare but serious side effects (<0.1%) include symptomatic hypotension, syncope, myocardial infarction, and arrhythmias. Most side effects are dose-related and tend to diminish with continued therapy. Peripheral edema, the most common side effect, results from preferential arteriolar dilation and is not associated with fluid retention.
Drug interaction
Plendil undergoes extensive metabolism by CYP3A4, making it susceptible to interactions with CYP3A4 inhibitors and inducers. Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir) significantly increase felodipine exposure. CYP3A4 inducers (rifampin, carbamazepine, St. John’s wort) may decrease efficacy. Concurrent use with other antihypertensive agents may result in additive hypotensive effects. Beta-blockers may increase risk of heart failure in susceptible patients. Grapefruit juice increases bioavailability by inhibiting intestinal CYP3A4. Monitoring is recommended when used with digoxin due to possible increased digoxin levels.
Missed dose
If a dose is missed, it should be taken as soon as remembered on the same day. If it is near the time for the next dose, the missed dose should be skipped and the regular dosing schedule resumed. Patients should never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Consistent daily administration at approximately the same time is important for maintaining stable blood pressure control. Patients should be educated about the importance of adherence and provided with strategies to support regular dosing.
Overdose
Symptoms of overdose include severe hypotension, bradycardia or tachycardia, and shock. Management involves cardiovascular monitoring and supportive care. Activated charcoal may be administered if ingestion was recent. For significant hypotension, intravenous calcium gluconate may be administered. Vasopressors such as dopamine or norepinephrine may be required for refractory hypotension. Due to the extended-release formulation, monitoring should continue for at least 24 hours as continued absorption may occur. Hemodialysis is not effective due to high protein binding.
Storage
Store at controlled room temperature (20-25°C or 68-77°F) with excursions permitted between 15-30°C (59-86°F). Protect from light and moisture. Keep in the original container with the lid tightly closed. Do not store in bathroom areas where moisture levels are high. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Do not use tablets that are discolored or show signs of deterioration. Proper disposal of unused medication should follow local regulations or through medication take-back programs.
Disclaimer
This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual patient needs may vary, and healthcare professionals should be consulted for specific medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment. The prescribing information provided here may not include all possible uses, directions, precautions, or interactions. Always follow the guidance of qualified healthcare providers and refer to the official prescribing information for complete details. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of information contained herein.
Reviews
Clinical studies demonstrate that Plendil effectively reduces blood pressure in 60-70% of patients with mild to moderate hypertension. In comparative trials, it shows similar efficacy to other calcium channel blockers with a favorable side effect profile. Patient satisfaction surveys indicate good tolerability, though peripheral edema remains a concern for some patients. Long-term studies confirm maintained efficacy over 12-24 months of treatment with minimal development of tolerance. Real-world evidence supports its effectiveness in diverse populations, particularly noting its value in elderly patients and those with isolated systolic hypertension.