Article: Nifedipine

Nifedipine
Systematic (IUPAC) name
dimethyl2,6-dimethyl-4-(2-nitrophenyl)- 1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate
Identifiers
CAS number	21829-25-4
ATC code	C08CA05
PubChem	4485
DrugBank	APRD00590
Chemical data
Formula	C17H18N2O6
Mol. weight	346.335 g/mol
Physical data
Melt. point	6°C (43°F)
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	45-56%
Protein binding	92-98%
Metabolism	Gastrointestinal, Hepatic
Half life	2 hours
Excretion	Renal: >50%, Biliary: 5-15%
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.	C: (USA)
Legal status
Routes	Oral

Nifedipine (brand name Adalat and Procardia) is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker. Its main uses are in angina pectoris (especially Prinzmetal's angina) and hypertension, although a large number of other uses have recently been found for this agent, such as Raynaud's phenomenon, premature labor, and painful spasms of the esophagus in cancer patients.

Nifedipine lowers the blood pressure rapidly, and patients are commonly warned they may feel dizzy or faint after taking the first few doses. Tachycardia (fast heart rate) may occur as a reaction. These problems are much less frequent in the sustain-release preparations of nifedipine (such as Adalat OROS).