Felodipine SR

It is important to read the patient leaflet for a full list of side effects and cautions.

Felodipine SR is a heart and blood pressure medication that belongs to a group of medications called calcium channel blockers. Calcium is needed to make the heart contract or beat.

Calcium channel blockers prevent too much calcium from entering the muscle of the heart and the blood vessel walls. This in turn helps the blood vessels and muscles relax so that the blood pressure is reduced, and the heart receives more oxygen. The heart no longer beats as forcefully, helping to take any strain off the heart.

Felodipine SR therefore treats both high blood pressure and helps to prevent angina attacks from occurring (chest pain that occurs when the heart is not getting enough oxygen).

Felodipine sustained release (“SR”) preparation is absorbed into the blood more slowly, meaning that its effect lasts for longer. This makes it convenient as you only need to take the medication once a day.

Felodipine SR is a tablet that should be taken with half a glass of water. The tablet should be swallowed whole in the morning before or after breakfast. It must not be crushed or chewed as this will stop it from releasing slowly into the body.

Dosage of Felodipine SR

When treating high blood pressure, the usual starting dose is 5mg once a day. Most people require 5-10mg daily but if this does not effectively manage the blood pressure, the dose can be increased, or another blood pressure medication added.

When felodipine SR is taken to treat angina, the usual dose is 5mg once a day which can be increased to 10mg once a day if required.

Like all medications, felodipine SR can have some side effects. The most common side effects include:

These side effects are likely to settle, but if they persist or are troublesome you should speak to your GP. Swollen feet and ankles can be alleviated by raising your feet on a stool or on the bed when resting.

Rarely, some people experience worsening of their chest pain when starting felodipine SR. If this occurs, you should speak to your doctor straight away.

If you have a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) including breathlessness, lip or tongue swelling, call 999 immediately.

Felodipine SR may not be suitable for everyone. You should tell your doctor if you:

Felodipine SR is not suitable for use in pregnancy.

Some medications can interact with felodipine SR. You may be advised that felodipine SR will not suit you if you already take:

You may need to stop taking felodipine SR before having a general anaesthetic. You must not drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit whilst taking felodipine SR, as this can increase the amount of the medication within your bloodstream.

Because felodipine SR may not suit everyone, we will complete a Consultation with you including a health questionnaire. This will ensure that the medication will be suitable for you.

A qualified prescriber will review your current medications, including any herbal remedies or supplements, to ensure that felodipine SR will not interact with them.

Once prescribed, felodipine SR will be ordered on your behalf via electronic prescription, allowing you to pick the medication up at your convenience.