Patient was educated on contraindications for using Nifedipine as follows:
- Avoid using Nifedipine along with any other medications that can cause slowdown of heart rate, such as, Beta-blockers. Using them together can result in extreme slowdown of heart rate and can present an emergency.
- Avoid or use extreme caution using Nifedipine along with any other medications that cause vasodilation, such as, Isosorbide and Hydralazine. Using them together can result in episodes of extremely low BP and can present an emergency.
- Avoid using Nifedipine with grapefruit juice, as some component in the grapefruit juice will inhibit the metabolism of the Nifedipine. This can lead to increased blood levels of the medication for longer periods of time, resulting in toxicity and severe side effects.
- Nifedipine is mainly metabolized in the liver. If liver function is deficient, the metabolism of Nifedipine can suffer. This can lead to increased blood levels of the medication for longer periods of time, resulting in toxicity and severe side effects. So, Nifedipine should be used with caution in individuals with hepatic dysfunction.
- Nifedipine is mainly excreted by the kidneys. Individuals with renal disease cannot excrete Nifedipine normally. So, this medication can stay in circulation for longer time and can be toxic. So, Nifedipine should be used with caution in individuals with compromised renal function.
