Benidipine Hydrochloride

• Benidipine Hydrochloride is used to lower high blood pressure.
• It can also reduce angina pectoris (a type of chest pain)

When should one not use Benidipine Hydrochloride

• If you have a known hypersensitive reaction to Benidipine or any ingredient of this medicine.
• If you have very low blood pressure. Using this medicine can further lower blood pressure, which can be dangerous.
• If you have a history of severe liver or kidney failure.
• If you are currently expecting, planning to get pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Common side effects of this drug are:

• Tiredness
• Swelling of the ankles
• Drowsiness
• Flushing (sense of warmth in the face, ears, neck and trunk)
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Palpitations

Other General Warnings

• You are using other medicines for lowering blood pressure.
• You want to stop using this medicine suddenly. It can lead to a sudden rise in blood pressure or an increased risk of chest pain (angina pectoris)
• You have a history of low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia) or low blood pressure (hypotension).
• You were diagnosed with clinical depression.
• You have a previous history of heart failure.
• You have a serious liver or kidney disease, thyroid hormone disorder, tumour on the adrenal gland, or disorder with circulation (such as Raynaud's syndrome).
• You want to give this medicine to a child younger than 18 years of age. Consult your doctor first.

How Does It Work?

• Benidipine belongs to the type of anti-hypertensive medicines known as calcium channel blockers (CCBs). It works by blocking calcium channels in the blood vessels that cause the blood vessels to relax. As a result, it reduces the pressure on the walls of the blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure. It also reduces the pressure on the heart and increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart. This action results in lowering blood pressure and chest pain.

Interactions with other medicines

• Inform your doctor if you are using antifungal medicines such as itraconazole along with Benidipine Hydrochloride, as it greatly increases the concentration of Benidipine Hydrochloride which can lead to excess side effects.
• Acid-reducing medicine (H2 blocker) such as cimetidine reduces the metabolism of Benidipine Hydrochloride, which leads to excess serum levels of this medicine.
• Anti-TB medication such as Rifampicin is metabolised the same way as Benidipine Hydrochloride. So they compete together, which results in improper elimination of both of these medications. Patients may experience side effects of both of them.
• Benidipine Hydrochloride can also react with various other types of anti-hypertensive medications (such as aliskiren, amiloride, enalapril, captopril, or quinapril), leading to a fall in blood pressure. Consult your doctor before taking these medications together.
• Inform your doctor if you are using ayurvedic, herbal medicines or supplements while taking Benidipine Hydrochloride. Some of them might interact with this medication. At least a gap of 2 hours should be maintained before taking these medicines to avoid side effects.

Interactions with food items

• It is better to avoid consuming excess amounts of grapefruit or its juice, as it can interact with Benidipine Hydrochloride and increase the amounts of this medicine in the blood. It can lead to side effects.

Overdose

Missed a Dose