II. Indications

III. Dosing: Adults

  1. Background
    1. Tablets are extended release
    2. Swallow whole and do not crush or chew
    3. Take on an empty Stomach or with a light meal
  2. Start 2.5 to 5 mg orally daily
  3. Target 5 to 10 mg orally daily
  4. Maximum 10 mg/day

IV. Mechanism

  1. See Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker
  2. Peripheral Vasodilation
  3. Increases myocardial contractility and Cardiac Output

VI. Safety

  1. Pregnancy Category C
  2. Unknown Safety in Lactation

VII. Drug Interactions

  1. Felodipine Levels lowered by strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors (Ketoconazole, Itraconazole, Erythromycin)
  2. Digoxin levels are increased by Felodipine

VIII. Pharmacokinetics

  1. Slow onset of action (2 to 5 hours)

X. References

  1. (2022) Presc Lett, Resource #381108, Comparison of Calcium Channel Blockers
  2. (2020) Med Lett Drugs Ther 62(1598): 73-80
  3. Olson (2020) Clinical Pharmacology, Medmaster Miami, p. 70-1
  4. Hamilton (2020) Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia

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Related Studies

Cost: Medications

felodipine (on 12/21/2022 at Medicaid.Gov Survey of pharmacy drug pricing)
FELODIPINE ER 10 MG TABLET Generic $0.21 each
FELODIPINE ER 2.5 MG TABLET Generic $0.18 each
FELODIPINE ER 5 MG TABLET Generic $0.21 each

Ontology: Felodipine (C0015772)

Definition (NCI) A dihydropyridine calcium channel blocking agent. Felodipine inhibits the influx of extracellular calcium ions into myocardial and vascular smooth muscle cells, causing dilatation of the main coronary and systemic arteries and decreasing myocardial contractility. This agent also inhibits the drug efflux pump P-glycoprotein which is overexpressed in some multi-drug resistant tumors and may improve the efficacy of some antineoplastic agents. (NCI04)
Definition (MSH) A dihydropyridine calcium antagonist with positive inotropic effects. It lowers blood pressure by reducing peripheral vascular resistance through a highly selective action on smooth muscle in arteriolar resistance vessels.
Concepts Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Organic Chemical (T109)
MSH D015736
SnomedCT 108535009, 386863007
English Felodipine, 3,5-Pyridinedicarboxylic acid, 4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-, ethyl methyl ester, felodipine (medication), felodipine, FELODIPINE, Felodipine ER, Felodipine [Chemical/Ingredient], Felodipine (product), Felodipine (substance)
Swedish Felodipin
Czech felodipin
Finnish Felodipiini
Russian FELODIPIN, ФЕЛОДИПИН
Japanese フェロジピン
Spanish felodipina (producto), felodipino, felodipino (sustancia), felodipina, felodipino (producto), felodipina (sustancia), Felodipino
Polish Felodypina
French Félodipine
German Felodipin
Italian Felodipina
Portuguese Felodipino

Ontology: Plendil (C0700021)

Concepts Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Organic Chemical (T109)
MSH D015736
English plendil, Plendil, Astra Brand of Felodipine, AstraZeneca Brand of Felodipine, Flodil, Modip, Promed Brand of Felodipine