Dosage and strength
Lercanidipine comes as 10mg and 20mg tablets.
The usual starting dose of lercanidipine is 10mg once a day.
Changes to your dose
If your dose is not working well enough and your blood pressure stays too high, you may need to increase your dose to 20mg once a day. Your doctor will tell you if you need to do this.
How to take it
You'll usually take lercanidipine once a day. You can take it at any time of day, but try to make sure it's around the same time every day. Most people take lercanidipine in the morning.
It's best to take lercanidipine at least 15 minutes before a meal.
Swallow lercanidipine tablets with a drink of water.
Some brands have a score line to help you break the tablet to make it easier to swallow. Check the information leaflet for your brand to see if you can do this.
How long to take it for
Usually, treatment with lercanidipine is long term, even for the rest of your life.
Important
Take lercanidipine even if you feel well, as you'll still be getting the benefits of the medicine.
If you forget to take it
If you forget to take a dose of lercanidipine, take it as soon as you remember, but make sure you take it at least 15 minutes before your next meal.
If you do not remember until the next day, leave out the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.
Do not take 2 doses to make up for a forgotten one.
If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.
If you take too much
Taking more than your prescribed dose of lercanidipine can make you feel dizzy and sleepy.
The amount of lercanidipine that can lead to an overdose varies from person to person.
Urgent advice: Contact 111 for advice now if:
- you take more than your prescribed dose of lercanidipine
Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111.
If you need to go to A&E, do not drive yourself. Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance.
Take the lercanidipine packet or leaflet inside it, plus any remaining medicine, with you.
Stopping lercanidipine
Talk to your doctor if you want to stop taking lercanidipine.
Stopping lercanidipine may cause your blood pressure to rise, and this may increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.
If you're bothered by side effects, your doctor may be able to prescribe you a different medicine to lower your blood pressure.