Introduction
Lacicard 4 is a medicine used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It belongs to a class of medicines known as calcium channel blocker which helps to lower blood pressure and reduce the workload of the heart. This helps prevent heart attacks and strokes.
Lacicard 4 also helps to prevent the buildup of plaque (cholesterol deposit) in the walls of your arteries. It may be prescribed alone or along with other medicines. The dose depends on your blood pressure levels and the severity of your condition. You can take it at any time of the day, with or without food, but it is best to take it at the same time each day. Keep taking it for as long as advised by your doctor. Even if you feel well, do not stop this medicine on your own because high blood pressure often has no symptoms. If you stop taking it, your condition may get worse. Keeping active with regular exercise, reducing your weight and eating a healthy diet will also help control your blood pressure. Follow your doctor's advice while taking this medicine.
The most common side effects include nausea, fatigue, abdominal pain, swelling in the feet or ankles, dizziness, flushing, headache and unusual beating of the heart (palpitations). Consult your doctor if any of these bother you, or do not go away.
Before taking it, let your doctor know if you have any liver, kidney or heart problems. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should also consult their doctor for advice before taking this medicine. You also need to tell your doctor what other medicines you are taking, especially those used to treat high blood pressure or heart conditions. You should have your blood pressure checked regularly to make sure that this medicine is working properly.
Uses of Lacicard 4
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Side effects of Lacicard 4
Common
- Fatigue
- Ankle swelling
- Flushing (sense of warmth in the face, ears, neck and trunk)
- Headache
- Nausea
- Edema (swelling)
- Dizziness
- Palpitations
- Abdominal pain
How to use Lacicard 4
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Lacicard 4 may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How Lacicard 4 works
Lacicard 4 is a calcium channel blocker. It regulates the blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels and reducing the pressure on them, thereby making it easier for the heart to pump more blood throughout the body. In this way, it normalizes the blood pressure in patients with high blood pressure.
What if you forget to take Lacicard 4?
If you miss a dose of Lacicard 4, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Indication
Hypertension, Storke prevention
Administration
May be taken with or without food.
Adult Dose
Oral
Hypertension
Adult: Initially, 2 mg once daily, may increase after 3-4 wk to 4 mg/day. Max: 6 mg/day.
Hepatic impairment: Severe: Reduce dose.
Contraindication
Within 1 mth of MI, cardiogenic shock, unstable angina, aortic stenosis.
Mode of Action
Lacidipine is a potent dihydropyridine Ca antagonist mainly selective for Ca channels in the vascular smooth muscle. It dilates peripheral arterioles resulting in reduced peripheral vascular resistance and BP.
Precaution
Conduction abnormalities, congenital or acquired QT prolongation, poor cardiac reserve. Hepatic impairment. Pregnancy and lactation.
Side Effect
Headache, flushing, oedema, dizziness, palpitations, aggravation of angina, increased alkaline phosphatase. Rarely asthenia, rash (e.g. erythema and itching), gastric upset, nausea, gum hyperplasia, polyuria, muscle cramps, mood disturbances.
Interaction
Additive effect w/ diuretics, ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers. May increase plasma level w/ cimetidine. Metabolism may be affected by CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g. itraconazole) and inducers (e.g. rifampicin). May attenuate antihypertensive effect w/ corticoids or tetracosactid