Print options:

Other options:

Isradipine

Post your experience

About isradipine

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

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

Isradipine slows the movement of calcium through cells, which has two results: (1) it decreases the speed at which the heart beats, and (2) has a widening effect on blood vessels. This combination allows blood to circulate more freely around the body, lowering blood pressure and allowing the heart to work more efficiently.

Isradipine is available in tablet form, strength 2.5mg.

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

Before taking isradipine

Before taking isradipine 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 had a heart attack or suffer from any other heart problems
if you suffer from diabetes
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, herbal or complementary medicines.

How to take isradipine

Always read the manufacturer's information leaflet before beginning treatment.
Take isradipine exactly as directed by your doctor.
Try to take isradipine 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 and then continue as normal. If it is nearly time for your next dose, leave out the missed dose. Never take two doses at the same time to compensate. If in doubt speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not stop taking isradipine without speaking to your doctor first.
Isradipine is for you. Never give it to others even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of isradipine contact your doctor or go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you even if it is empty.

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 isradipine.

Keep your regular appointments with your doctor so your progress can be checked.

Do not drink grapefruit juice while you are being treated with isradipine.

Isradipine may cause dizziness. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert.

Can isradipine cause problems?

As well as their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects. Side effects of isradipine usually go away a few days after starting treatment. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome:

headache, redness of the face, dizziness, palpitations, fast or fluttery heartbeat, swollen legs and ankles

rarely skin rash, weight gain, tiredness, tummy pain.

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

How to store isradipine

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. Discard them safely, out of the reach of children, or take them to your local pharmacist who will dispose of unwanted medicines for you.

Comprehensive patient resources are available at www.patient.co.uk

The authors and editors of this article are employed to create accurate and up to date content reflecting reliable research evidence, guidance and best clinical practice. They are free from any commercial conflicts of interest. Find out more about updating.

Print options:

Other options:

Advert

Want to search some more? Use the Google Search box below to search our site.

Related pages in Patient UK

Patient UK Newspaper (^ top of page)

Latest Health News

View current health news

Other - Useful resources (^ top of page)

Pictures, diagrams, photos, images, etc.
Evidence based medicine
Online textbooks and journals
UK Guidelines
Online Videos
Medline
Other good health sites

Want to search some more? Use the Google Search box below to search our site.

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Information Leaflets which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Support Groups which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Medicines & Drugs which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of diagrams which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of PatientPlus (detailed reference) articles which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of UK Guidelines which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of other selected websites which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Poems and Stories which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Operations and Procedures which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Online Videos which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links through to our interactive forum.
Here you can follow a link to view existing patient experiences on this subject, or to add your own

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to news stories on this subject in our Online Newspaper

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to related products

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to other useful sources of information

Click here to open a printer-friendly version of this document, in a new window, together with the print dialogue box

Click here to open this document in PDF format
This will offer you the usual PDF options i.e. document navigation, search, zoom and formatted print
Note: this is the best way to print the document

Click here to listen to the MP3 audio recording of this document

Click here to download the audio recording of this document as a podcast, for listening to at your leisure

Click here to open our Dictionaries and Glossaries page

Click here to see related products in our Online Pharmacy
Note: this will open in a new window

Click here to add this page to a social bookmarking site of your choice

Click here if you want to find out more about social bookmarking. This link will take you to the Wikipedia explanation
Note: this will open in a new window