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Lercanidipine - Common brands: Zanidip

Lercanidipine is a medicine that helps lower blood pressure. It's only available with a prescription.

What lercanidipine is for

Lercanidipine is used to manage high blood pressure (hypertension). It helps to lower your blood pressure, reducing your risk of complications like heart failure and stroke.

Lercanidipine is a type of medicine called a calcium-channel blocker.

It works by relaxing and widening your blood vessels, making it easier for blood to pump around your body.

How to take lercanidipine

Lercanidipine usually comes as tablets that you swallow.

You'll usually need to take it once a day, at the same time every day. Take it at least 15 minutes before having a meal, ideally before your first meal of the day.

Your doctor will tell you how much to take and for how long. Lercanidipine treatment for high blood pressure is often long term.

Always check the packet or leaflet that comes with your medicine. Ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice if you're not sure how to take it or you have any problems taking it.

If you miss a dose of lercanidipine

If you miss a dose of lercanidipine, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as usual.

Do not take 2 doses to make up for a missed dose.

If you take too much lercanidipine

Taking an extra dose of lercanidipine can be dangerous.

Urgent advice: Get help from NHS 111 if:

  • you've taken more than your prescribed dose of lercanidipine

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Information:

If you're told to go to A&E, do not drive. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Bring the lercanidipine packet or leaflet inside it, any remaining medicine, and any other medicines you take.

Side effects of lercanidipine

Like all medicines, lercanidipine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Common side effects

Common side effects of lercanidipine tablets include:

  • headaches
  • a fast heartbeat, or feeling like your heartbeat is more noticeable (palpitations)
  • reddening of your face or neck (flushing)
  • swollen ankles
  • tummy pain and feeling sick (nausea)
  • feeling weak and tired (fatigue)
  • dizziness
  • a rash

If you feel dizzy or sleepy after taking lercanidipine, do not drive, ride a bike or use machinery until you no longer have these symptoms.

Non-urgent advice: Speak to a pharmacist or doctor if:

  • you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away

They may be able to give you advice about how to reduce any side effects. Keep taking your medicine unless you're advised to stop.

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Serious side effects

Lercanidipine can sometimes cause serious side effects, but this is rare.

Possible serious side effects of lercanidipine include:

  • fainting
  • chest pain or tightness (angina)
  • an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) – causing symptoms such as a swollen throat or tongue, a raised, itchy rash and difficulty breathing

Urgent advice: Call NHS 111 if:

  • you're taking lercanidipine and think you might be having serious side effects
Information:

More about side effects

These are not all the side effects of lercanidipine.

For a full list, see the leaflet that comes with your medicine or search for your medicine leaflet on the electronic medicines compendium website.

You can report any side effects you get on the Yellow Card website

Who can and cannot take lercanidipine

Most adults can take lercanidipine.

But lercanidipine is not suitable for everyone. For example, it may not be suitable if:

  • you've had an allergic reaction to lercanidipine
  • you have heart problems such as heart failure or angina
  • you've recently had a heart attack
  • you have severe liver or kidney problems

Before taking lercanidipine, tell your doctor if you have any medical conditions.

Breastfeeding and lercanidipine

Tell your doctor if you're breastfeeding.

Your doctor may recommend using a different blood pressure medicine while you're breastfeeding.

It's rare for breastfed babies to get any side effects of medicines you're using, but speak to a healthcare professional or call NHS 111 if you have any concerns about your baby.

Pregnancy and lercanidipine

Tell your doctor if you're pregnant or planning to get pregnant.

Your doctor will usually recommend taking a different blood pressure medicine while you're pregnant, but do not stop taking lercanidipine unless they tell you to.

Find out more about taking lercanidipine during pregnancy on the Bumps (Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy) website

Taking lercanidipine with other medicines, food and drink

There are some medicines, remedies and supplements that may not mix well with lercanidipine.

This includes some types of:

Before taking lercanidipine, tell your doctor if you're taking any other medicines, herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.

Food, drink and alcohol with lercanidipine

Taking lercanidipine with food can affect how it works. It's best to take it at least 15 minutes before having a meal, ideally before your first meal of the day.

Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking lercanidipine.

It's also best to avoid drinking alcohol while taking lercanidipine because it can affect the way it works.

Information:

Find out more about your medicine

To find out more about your medicine, you can:

Page last reviewed: 13 May 2026
Next review due: 13 May 2029