From the Guidelines
Procardia (nifedipine) is generally considered safe for patients with asthma. Unlike beta-blockers which can trigger bronchospasm and worsen asthma symptoms, nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker that works primarily on blood vessels and does not typically affect the airways. The provided evidence does not directly address the safety of nifedipine in asthma patients, but it does highlight the risks associated with other medications, such as adenosine, which is contraindicated in patients with asthma due to the risk of bronchospasm 1. Nifedipine relaxes and widens blood vessels, reducing blood pressure without causing bronchoconstriction. The standard dosing of nifedipine varies based on the formulation, with immediate-release capsules typically starting at 10 mg three times daily and extended-release tablets ranging from 30-90 mg once daily. Patients with asthma who are prescribed nifedipine should still monitor for any unusual symptoms, as individual responses can vary. Some patients might experience side effects like headache, dizziness, flushing, or ankle swelling, but these are not specific to asthma patients. It's essential to note that while nifedipine itself doesn't worsen asthma, patients should always inform their healthcare providers about all medications they're taking to avoid potential drug interactions that could affect their asthma management.
Key points to consider:
- Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker that primarily affects blood vessels, not airways.
- Beta-blockers, not nifedipine, are known to trigger bronchospasm and worsen asthma symptoms 1.
- Patients with asthma should monitor for unusual symptoms and report any concerns to their healthcare provider.
- Nifedipine dosing varies by formulation, and patients should follow the prescribed regimen.
- Informing healthcare providers about all medications is crucial to avoid potential drug interactions that could affect asthma management.
From the Research
Safety of Procardia in Asthma
- Procardia, also known as nifedipine, is a calcium channel blocker that has been studied for its safety in patients with asthma 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- A prospective study published in 1984 found that nifedipine had no adverse effect on pulmonary function in patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and even showed a statistically significant improvement in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) 2.
- Another study published in 1989 discussed the airway effects of antihypertensive drugs, including calcium channel blockers, and concluded that they do not have severe side effects on the airways and could be preferable for hypertensive patients with airways disease 3.
- A study published in 1984 found that nifedipine potentiated the beta 2-adrenoceptor mediated bronchodilation induced by terbutaline in asthmatic patients 4.
- A randomized double-blind crossover trial published in 1985 found that nifedipine decreased the weekly duration of asthma attacks, the number of betamimetic puffs inhaled per week, and the duration of intercritical dyspnoea in patients with severe chronic bronchial asthma 5.
- A study published in 1986 compared the effects of orally administered nifedipine, albuterol, and placebo on airway function in asthmatic subjects with chronic stable asthma and found that nifedipine caused a significant increase in FEV1 6.
Key Findings
- Nifedipine is safe to use in patients with asthma and does not have adverse effects on pulmonary function 2.
- Nifedipine may have a beneficial effect on asthma symptoms, such as reducing the frequency and duration of asthma attacks 5.
- Nifedipine can potentiate the bronchodilating effect of beta 2-agonists, such as terbutaline 4.
- Nifedipine has a weak bronchodilating effect in subjects with chronic stable asthma who have abnormal lung function 6.