Lercanidipine

Lercanidipine

Lercanidipine is a prescription medicine to treat high blood pressure. Although people with high blood pressure often do not feel ill, it left untreated, high blood pressure can harm the heart and damage blood vessels, leading to a stroke or a heart attack.

What is Lercanidipine?

Lercanidipine is a prescription medicine to treat high blood pressure. Although people with high blood pressure often do not feel ill, it left untreated, high blood pressure can harm the heart and damage blood vessels, leading to a stroke or a heart attack.

How does Lercanidipine work?

Lercanidipine belongs to the group of medicines known as calcium blockers that block the entry of calcium into the muscle cells of the heart and the blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart. The entry of calcium into these cells causes the heart to contract and arteries to narrow. By blocking the entry of calcium, calcium channel blockers decrease contraction of the heart and dilate or widen the arteries, and the blood pressure is reduced.

What are the benefits of taking Lercanidipine?

The main benefit of taking Lercanidipine is its ability to lower high blood pressure. Lercanidipine is a calcium blocker that prevents the entry of calcium into the muscles of the heart and arteries, decreasing the contraction of the heart and dilating the arteries to reduce the blood pressure.

How do I use Lercanidipine?

Before you start taking Lercanidipine, read the product information leaflet that is provided by your pharmacist when you fill up the prescription. It will give you more information about this product.

Lercanidipine is available in two strengths: 10 mg and 20 mg. the usual starting dose is 10 mg taken by mouth once daily. When it becomes necessary, your doctor may increase your dose after a few weeks to 20 mg taken by mouth daily. Take this medicine exactly as instructed by your doctor.

Your doctor will likely advise you to take your dose of this medicine in the morning before your breakfast. Taking your medicine at approximately the same time each day will give you a routine that will remind you to remember to take your doses regularly.

Swallow the Lercanidipine tablet with a glass of water. You should take this medication when your stomach is empty, about 30 minutes before a meal. The reason for this is that fatty food can increase the amount of lercanidipine your body absorbs, which could result in experiencing side effects.

If you forget to take a dose, and you do not remember until the following day, just leave out the missed dose. Taking a double dose to make up for the missed dose is not recommended.

Lercanidipine dosage

The usual starting dose of Lercanidipine is one 10 mg tablet once daily. When needed, your doctor can increase your dose to one 20 mg tablet once daily after a few weeks.

Side effects & precautions

Along with the useful effects of Lercanidipine, this medicine can also cause unwanted side effects although not everyone who takes the medicine experiences them.

The following are the uncommon side effects of Lercanidipine:

• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Flushing
• Faster than normal heartbeat
• Swollen arms, wrists, legs, or ankles
• Awareness of your heartbeat

The following are the rare side effects of Lercanidipine:

• Skin rash
• Drowsiness
• Fatigue
• Increased need to urinate
• Difficulty in breathing
• Disturbances of the gut, such as vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea, indigestion, and abdominal pain
• A general feeling of being unwell
• Chest pain

The following are the very rare side effects of Lercanidipine:

• Alteration in the results of liver function tests
• Increased urinary frequency
• Hypotension
• Mild swelling of the gums