Introduction
Cilnipin 10 is a medicine used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It belongs to a class of medicines known as a calcium channel blocker which helps to lower blood pressure. This helps prevent heart attacks and strokes. It may also be prescribed to prevent angina (heart-related chest pain).
Cilnipin 10 may be prescribed alone or along with other medicines. The dose depends on the severity of your condition. You can take it at any time of 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. Do not stop this medicine on your own, even if you feel well because high blood pressure often has no symptoms. This makes it hard to identify any sudden spike and 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 fatigue, swelling in the feet, sleepiness, dizziness, flushing, the unusual beating of the heart (palpitations) and headache. Consult your doctor if any of these bother you, or do not go away. Side effects like swelling in the feet or ankles and palpitations are lesser in severity than other similar medicines of the group. Studies have shown that it also has a protective effect on the kidneys.
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 Cilnipin 10
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Side effects of Cilnipin 10
Common
- Fatigue
- Ankle swelling
- Sleepiness
- Flushing (sense of warmth in the face, ears, neck and trunk)
- Headache
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Palpitations
- Edema (swelling)
- Abdominal pain
How to use Cilnipin 10
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. Cilnipin 10 may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How Cilnipin 10 works
Cilnipin 10 is a calcium channel blocker. It lowers blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels, which makes the heart more efficient at pumping blood throughout the body.
What if you forget to take Cilnipin 10?
If you miss a dose of Cilnipin 10, 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.
Adult Dose
Oral
Hypertension
Adult: 5-10 mg once daily, increase to 20 mg once daily if necessary.
Contraindication
Cardiogenic shock; recent MI or acute unstable angina; severe aortic stenosis.
Mode of Action
Cilnidipine is a dihydropyridine calcium-channel blocker. It inhibits cellular influx of calcium, thus causing vasodilatation. It has greater selectivity for vascular smooth muscle. It has little or no action at the SA or AV nodes and -ve inotropic activity is rarely seen at therapeutic doses.
Precaution
Hypotension, poor cardiac reserve, heart failure. Sudden withdrawal may exacerbate angina. Discontinue in patients who experience ischemic pain following administration. Pregnancy, lactation.
Side Effect
Dizziness; flushing; headache; hypotension; peripheral oedema; tachycardia; palpitations; GI disturbances; increased micturition frequency; lethargy; eye pain; depression; ischaemic chest pain; cerebral or myocardial ischaemia; transient blindness; rashes; fever; abnormal liver function; gingival hyperplasia; myalgia; tremor; impotence.
Interaction
Other antihypertensives; aldesleukin; antipsychotics that cause hypotension; may modify insulin and glucose responses; quinidine; carbamazepine; phenytoin; rifampicin; cimetidine; erythromycin.