Felodipine – Uses, Side Effects, Dosage & More

When working with Felodipine, a long‑acting dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker prescribed to manage hypertension. Also known as Plendil, it relaxes the smooth muscle in arterial walls, lowering resistance and making it easier for the heart to pump blood. This drug belongs to the broader class of Calcium channel blocker, medications that inhibit calcium influx into vascular smooth muscle cells, causing vasodilation. By opening up the vessels, these agents directly target Hypertension, a chronic elevation of arterial pressure that increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney damage. The relationship is clear: Felodipine is a calcium channel blocker, calcium channel blockers treat hypertension, and uncontrolled hypertension fuels cardiovascular disease. Understanding this chain helps you see why controlling blood pressure with Felodipine can lower the chance of heart‑related events.

How Felodipine Fits Into Cardiovascular Care

In clinical practice, Felodipine is most often prescribed for patients who need steady blood‑pressure control, especially when a once‑daily pill is preferred. Typical doses start at 5 mg and may be increased to 10 mg, depending on the individual’s response and other health factors. Common side effects include mild swelling of the ankles, headache, and flushing—effects that stem from the same vasodilatory action that lowers pressure. Because Felodipine works primarily on peripheral arteries, it has minimal impact on heart rate, which distinguishes it from beta‑blockers like atenolol. An often‑asked question is how Felodipine compares to a sibling drug, Nimodipine, another dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker that is chiefly used to prevent brain vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage. While both share the same mechanism of blocking calcium channels, Nimodipine is formulated for neurological protection rather than chronic blood‑pressure management, and it reaches the brain more readily due to its higher lipid solubility. Knowing these nuances lets patients and clinicians choose the right drug for the right condition and avoid unnecessary side‑effects. Moreover, because Felodipine can improve arterial compliance, it indirectly benefits overall cardiovascular health, reducing the workload on the heart and slowing the progression of atherosclerosis.

Below you’ll find a curated set of articles that dive deeper into specific aspects of Felodipine therapy—everything from detailed dosage charts and drug‑interaction warnings to real‑world comparisons with other antihypertensives. Whether you’re just starting the medication, adjusting your dose, or looking for ways to manage side effects, the collection below offers practical guidance and evidence‑based insights to help you make informed decisions about your heart health.