Common side effects
These common side effects of nifedipine happen in more than 1 in 100 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them:
Headaches
Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Try not to drink too much alcohol. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller. Paracetamol is safe to take with nifedipine.
Headaches should usually go away after the first week of taking nifedipine. Talk to your doctor if they last longer than a week or are severe.
Feeling dizzy
If nifedipine makes you feel dizzy, stop what you're doing and sit or lie down until you feel better. Do not drive, ride a bike or operate tools or machinery until the dizziness passes. Speak to a doctor if the dizzy feelings last for more than a couple of days.
Flushing
This usually happens when you first start taking nifedipine. Try cutting down on coffee, tea and alcohol. If the flushing is also making you feel hot, it might help to keep the room cool and use a fan. You could also spray your face with cool water or sip cold or iced drinks.
The flushing should go away after a few days, so try to carry on taking nifedipine for this time. If it does not go away or is causing you problems, contact your doctor.
A fast, pounding or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
If this happens regularly after you take your medicine, try to take it at a time when you can sit or lie down while the symptoms are at their worst. It might also help to cut down on alcohol, smoking, caffeine and big meals as these can make the problem worse.
If you have a history of heart disease, and you are having these symptoms for a long time, these symptoms do not improve, or you are concerned, speak to your doctor.
Swollen legs or ankles (oedema)
Try raising your legs when you're sitting down.
Constipation
Eat plenty of high-fibre foods such as fresh fruit and vegetables and cereals, and drink lots of water. Try to exercise regularly, for example by going for a daily walk or run. It's OK to occasionally use a laxative.
Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or lasts more than a few days.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects after taking nifedipine are rare and happen in less than 1 in 1,000 people.
Stop taking nifedipine and call 111 straight away if the whites of your eyes turn yellow, or your skin turns yellow although this may be less obvious on brown or black skin. These can be signs of liver problems.
Immediate action required: Call 999 now if:
- you get chest pain that does not stop after a few minutes, or is new or worse if you already have angina
Chest pain is a possible sign of a heart attack and needs to be checked as soon as possible.
Serious allergic reaction
In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to nifedipine.
Immediate action required: Call 999 now if:
- your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
- you're breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you're choking or gasping for air)
- your throat feels tight or you're struggling to swallow
- your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
- you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
- someone faints and cannot be woken up
- a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)
You or the person who's unwell may also have a rash that's swollen, raised, itchy, blistered or peeling.
These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.
Other side effects
These are not all the side effects of nifedipine. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.
You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.