Norvasc vs. Procardia

• Are Norvasc and Procardia the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Norvasc?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Procardia?
• What is Norvasc?
• What is Procardia?
• What Drugs Interact with Norvasc?
• What Drugs Interact with Procardia?
• How Should Norvasc Be Taken?
• How Should Procardia Be Taken?

Norvasc (amlodipine) and Procardia (nifedipine) are calcium channel blockers (CCBs) prescribed for the prevention and treatment of heart pain or chest pain from angina, and for the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension).

Common side effects of Norvasc include:

• headache,
• swelling (edema) of the ankles or feet,
• dizziness,
• lightheadedness,
• drowsiness,
• tired feeling,
• nausea,
• abdominal or stomach pain, or
• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling).

Common side effects of Procardia include:

• dizziness,
• weakness,
• swelling ankles/feet,
• joint pain,
• leg cramps,
• headache,
• drowsiness,
• tired feeling,
• nausea,
• diarrhea,
• constipation,
• stomach pain,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• rash or itching,
• urinating more than usual, or  q
• flushing (warmth/redness/tingly feeling under your skin).

Tell your doctor if you experience unlikely but serious side effects of Procardia including:

• fast/irregular/pounding heartbeat, or
• fainting.

Norvasc (amlodipine) is a calcium channel blocker (CCB) prescribed for the prevention and treatment of heart pain or chest pain from angina, and for the treatment of high blood pressure.

Procardia (nifedipine) is a calcium channel blocker used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and to treat angina (chest pain). Procardia is available in generic form.

Norvasc may interact with other blood pressure medications.

Norvasc may also interact with simvastatin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir, diltiazem, and cyclosporine, or other heart medications.

Procardia may interact with other heart or blood pressure medications, ketoconazole, or itraconazole.

Procardia may also interact with cimetidine, erythromycin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, rifampin, or rifabutin.

The usual initial antihypertensive oral dose of Norvasc is 5 mg once daily, and the maximum dose is 10 mg once daily. Norvasc dosages may need to be lowered in patients with liver dysfunction.

The usual starting dose of Procardia is one 10 mg capsule, 3 times/day. The usual effective dose range is 10–20 mg three times daily.