Felodipine: What You Need to Know About This Blood Pressure Pill

If you’ve been prescribed felodipine, you probably want to know why your doctor chose it and what to expect. In short, felodipine is a calcium‑channel blocker that helps relax the walls of your blood vessels so the heart doesn’t have to work as hard. The result is lower blood pressure and less strain on your cardiovascular system.

How Felodipine Lowers Blood Pressure

Felodipine blocks calcium from entering the smooth muscle cells in arterial walls. Calcium is the key that tells those cells to tighten up. When the entry point is blocked, the muscles stay relaxed, the arteries widen, and blood flows more easily. This action reduces both systolic and diastolic numbers, making it a solid option for people with hypertension or angina.

The drug is taken once daily, usually in the morning, because it has a long half‑life—about 20 hours—so it stays in your system all day. Most people start with a low dose, often 2.5 mg, and the doctor may adjust it up to 10 mg based on how well you respond and any side effects you notice.

Common Side Effects and Safety Tips

Like any medication, felodipine can cause unwanted effects. The most frequent ones are a flushed feeling, headache, ankle swelling, and a fast heartbeat. These usually fade after a week or two as your body gets used to the drug. If the swelling gets painful or you notice dizziness when standing up, it could be a sign of low blood pressure—call your doctor.

Because felodipine relaxes blood vessels, you should avoid suddenly stopping the medication. A sudden drop in blood pressure can cause fainting. If you need to quit, your doctor will taper you off gradually.

Alcohol can intensify the blood‑pressure‑lowering effect, so keep drinking moderate. Also, grapefruit juice can increase felodipine levels and raise the risk of side effects—skip it while you’re on this med.

Drug interactions matter, too. Felodipine can interact with other blood‑pressure medicines, especially other calcium‑channel blockers, beta‑blockers, or diuretics. Combining it with certain antibiotics (like erythromycin) or antifungals (like itraconazole) can boost its concentration in your blood. Always tell your pharmacist about every prescription, over‑the‑counter drug, and supplement you take.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women should discuss risks with their doctor, as felodipine crosses the placenta and appears in breast milk. In most cases, doctors prefer alternative blood‑pressure treatments during pregnancy.

When you first start felodipine, monitor your blood pressure at home. Keep a log of readings, any side effects, and the times you take the pill. This information helps your clinician fine‑tune the dose and catch problems early.

In summary, felodipine is a once‑daily pill that relaxes arteries, lowers blood pressure, and can reduce angina episodes. Start low, watch for headaches or swelling, avoid grapefruit, and stay in touch with your healthcare team. With those steps, many people find their blood pressure settles into a healthier range without major hassles.