Lacidipine

About Lacidipine

This belongs to the group of medicines known as calcium channel blockers.

Lacidipine is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).

Lacidipine works by relaxing and opening up the blood vessels. This allows blood to circulate more freely around the body, lowering blood pressure and allowing the heart to work more efficiently.

Lacidipine is available in tablet form.

It is also sometimes known as: Motens. You may notice the use of any of these names on the packaging of your medicine.

Before Taking Lacidipine

Before taking lacidipine make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• if you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding
• if you suffer from liver or kidney problems
• if you have suffered from a heart attack within the last month or have any other heart problems
• if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine
• if you are taking any other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription

How to Take Lacidipine

• Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor.
• Try to take this medicine at the same times each day to avoid missing any doses.
• If you do forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember then continue as normal. If it is nearly time for your next dose, take it on time and leave out the missed dose. Never take two doses at the same time to compensate.
• Do not stop taking lacidipine without speaking to your doctor first.
• Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of lacidipine contact your doctor or go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if it is empty.
• Lacidipine is for you. Never give it to others even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.

Getting the most from your treatment

• Before taking any 'over-the-counter' medicines, check with your pharmacist which medicines are safe for you to take alongside lacidipine.
• Before having any kind of surgery, including dental or emergency treatment, tell the doctor, dentist or surgeon you are taking this medicine
• Keep your regular appointments with your doctor so your progress can be checked.
• Do not drink grapefruit juice while you are being treated with lacidipine.
• Lacidipine can cause dizziness. Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert.
• When you first start taking lacidipine you may experience headaches, hot flushes and swollen ankles. This usually goes away a few days after starting treatment.
• Lacidipine may cause constipation. Constipation can often be eased by eased by eating plenty of fibre, such as fruit, vegetables, potatoes, bran and by drinking plenty of water.

Can Lacidipine cause problems?

As well as their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Headache, flushing (redness of the face), dizziness, being aware of your heart beat, swollen legs and ankles, weakness, skin rash, feeling or being sick, diarrhoea, constipation, swollen gums, the need to urinate (pass water) more often, muscle cramps or changes in mood.

Important: If you experience chest pain contact your doctor as soon as possible.

If you experience any other worrying or troublesome side effects, which you think may be due to this medicine, discuss them with your pharmacist.

How to store Lacidipine

• Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.
• Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Either discard them safely out of the reach of children or take them to your local pharmacist who will dispose of them for you.

© EMIS and Cegedim Pharmacy Services Ltd 2005   Updated: 29/07/2003