Isradipine

Isradipine is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure).

• Isradipine is available under the following different brand names: Dynacirc

Common side effects of Isradipine include:

• flushing,  
• headache,
• dizziness,
• swelling,
• fast heartbeats, and
• upset stomach

Serious side effects of Isradipine include:

• hives,
• difficulty breathing,
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat,
• lightheadedness,
• pounding heartbeats,
• fluttering in the chest,
• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling),
• tiredness,
• swelling,
• rapid weight gain, and
• shortness of breath

Rare side effects of Isradipine include:

• none

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors;
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms include fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out. 

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult and pediatric dosage

Capsule

• 2.5 mg
• 5mg

Tablet, extended-release

• 5 mg
• 10 mg

Hypertension

Adult dosage

• Capsule: 2.5 orally every 12 hours; may increase the dose every 2 -4 weeks at 2.5-5 mg increments to a maximum of 20 mg/day (most patients show no improvement with doses above 10 mg/day); maximum in older adults is 10 mg/day
• Controlled release tablet: 5 mg orally every day; may increase the dose by 5 mg every 2-4 weeks; not to exceed 20 mg/day (frequency of adverse effects increases with doses above 10 mg/day)

Geriatric dosage

• Capsules: 2.5 mg orally every 12 hours  initially
• Controlled release tablet: 5 mg orally every day initially

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Isradipine has severe interactions with no other drugs.
• Isradipine has serious interactions with at least 23 other drugs
• Isradipine has moderate interactions with at least 138 other drugs.
• Isradipine has minor interactions with at least 92 other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your healthcare professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to isradipine or other calcium channel blockers; hypotension (less than 90 mm Hg systolic)

Effects of drug abuse

None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Isradipine?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Isradipine?”

Cautions

• Use caution in CHF, aortic stenosis, hypotension (initially or after dose increases), persistent progressive dermatologic reactions, exacerbation of angina (during initiation of treatment, after a dose increase, or withdrawal of beta-blocker), liver impairment
• Reflex tachycardia resulting in angina and/or MI in patients with obstructive coronary disease reported
• Peripheral edema may occur within 2-3 weeks of initiating therapy
• Hypotension with or without syncope is possible (particularly with severe aortic stenosis)
• Avoid taking it with grapefruit juice

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use with caution if the benefits outweigh the risks during pregnancy
• Lactation
  • Not known if excreted into breast milk