From the Guidelines
Plendil is the brand name for felodipine, a calcium channel blocker medication primarily used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It works by relaxing blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily and reducing the workload on the heart. Felodipine is available in extended-release tablets typically in strengths of 2.5 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg. The usual starting dose is 5 mg once daily, which may be adjusted based on blood pressure response 1. The medication should be taken consistently, preferably in the morning, with or without food, but not with grapefruit juice as this can increase the concentration of the drug in the bloodstream.
Key Points
- Plendil is manufactured by AstraZeneca, though generic versions of felodipine are also widely available on the market.
- As with other calcium channel blockers, common side effects may include headache, flushing, dizziness, and ankle swelling.
- Felodipine, like other dihydropyridines such as nifedipine and amlodipine, has peripheral arterial dilatory effects with few or no AV or sinus node effects 1.
- The choice of calcium channel blocker may depend on the specific clinical scenario, including the presence of heart failure or LV dysfunction, and the need for concomitant beta blockade 1.
- Calcium channel blockers may be used to control ongoing or recurring ischemia-related symptoms in patients who already are receiving adequate doses of nitrates and beta blockers, or in patients with variant angina 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Brand Name for Felodipine
- The brand name for felodipine is Plendil, as mentioned in the study 2 and 3.
- Felodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist used in the management of hypertension, and Plendil is its extended-release formulation 4.
- The efficacy and safety of Plendil (Felodipine) have been compared with other calcium antagonists, such as Nifedipine (Adalat) retard, in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension 3.
- Plendil has been found to be effective in lowering blood pressure and is well-tolerated, with common side effects including ankle edema, headache, and flushing 4, 2, and 3.