Phenigidine

Phenigidine is a selective antagonist of the element Ca, which acts primarily on blood vessels. It is a derivative of the element dihydropyridine.

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Indications Phenigidine

It is used for increased blood pressure, which develops against the background of such cardiovascular pathologies as Raynaud's syndrome, arterial hypertension, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

The medicine is used to quickly eliminate a hypertensive crisis, and in addition to this, to prevent the development of angina attacks (for example, coronary heart disease).

In addition, the drug is also used in pulmonology practice – for the treatment of broncho-obstructive syndrome, as well as hypertension in the pulmonary area.

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Release form

The release is carried out in tablets, in the amount of 10 pieces inside a blister pack. The box contains 5 blisters with tablets.

Pharmacodynamics

The active element, which is a Ca ion antagonist, blocks Ca channels inside arterial and cardiomyocyte cells. This allows nifedipine to affect peripheral and cardiac vessels, promoting their expansion.

The drug does not affect the smooth muscle tone of the veins. This helps to reduce blood pressure, reduce the resistance of peripheral vessels (mainly arterioles) and the need for oxygen in cardiomyocytes. As a result, there is a significant reduction in the overall load on cardiac function.

Among the properties of nifedipine is also the suppression of platelet aggregation processes.

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Pharmacokinetics

The drug has a rapid absorption and demonstrates a rapid development of medicinal effect after administration. Peak values of nifedipine in the blood are noted after 0.5 hours after oral administration of the tablet.

The period of metabolism, as well as half-life, lasts about 2-4 hours.

Excretion of metabolic products occurs through the kidneys, with urine. Some inactive decay products are found in feces.

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Dosing and administration

The portion size is selected for each patient individually (taking into account concomitant pathologies, age, as well as how the body reacts to treatment, etc.). The standard minimum portion size is 10 mg (sometimes it can reach 20 mg), and the frequency of administration per day is a maximum of 4.

During the treatment of stenosis in the coronary arteries, it is necessary to take at least 50-100 mg of the drug. No more than 12 tablets of the drug are allowed per day.

To eliminate attacks of hypertensive crisis or angina, you need to put a tablet of the drug under your tongue and wait until it completely dissolves. You should also lie down for at least 1 hour.

The portion size should be adjusted very carefully, gradually increasing or decreasing the level of the active element. To avoid side effects, Phenigidin should be taken with food.

The duration of treatment is selected in accordance with the indications. Often it is about 1-2 months. Then the attending physician must select another treatment regimen.

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Use Phenigidine during pregnancy

It is prohibited to prescribe Phenigidine to nursing and pregnant women, because the corresponding testing of the drug has not been carried out. Therefore, one can expect a teratogenic and embryotoxic effect from nifedipine.

The drug passes into breast milk.

Contraindications

Main contraindications:

• decreased systolic pressure values;
• severe heart failure;
• collapse;
• the presence of hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or dihydropyridine derivatives;
• aortic stenosis;
• shock state of cardiogenic origin;
• aggravated myocardial infarction.

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Side effects Phenigidine

The use of the drug may provoke the appearance of the following side effects:

• disorders of the cardiovascular system: a sharp decrease in blood pressure, swelling of the legs, development of asystole, bradycardia or tachycardia, as well as reddening of the skin surface in the face and chest area;
• problems with the central nervous system: sleep disorders, moderate drowsiness, problems with visual perception, the appearance of tremors in the limbs, as well as migraines and dizziness;
• gastrointestinal disorders: the appearance of heartburn, nausea or diarrhea, and in addition, suppression of liver function.

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Overdose

As a result of poisoning with Phenigidin, the level of systolic blood pressure decreases (with health risks). Against this background, the following manifestations are observed: collapse, bradycardia, decreased blood pressure, headache, and in addition, heart rhythm disorder, as well as conduction.

If signs of intoxication appear, the victim's stomach must be immediately washed out and activated carbon must be given. In particularly severe disorders, a 10% solution of calcium chloride must be administered intravenously.

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Interactions with other drugs

The drug has a more pronounced effect when taken in combination with other antihypertensive drugs, diuretics, nitrates, cimetidine, tricyclics, and also ranitidine.

Combination with β-blockers can lead to disturbance of blood circulation processes in the heart muscle and potentiation of arterial hypotension.

The effect of nifedipine is weakened when the drug is combined with rifampicin, calcium drugs, carbamazepine, phenytoin, and phenobarbital.

Combined use with quinidine, as well as digoxin or theophylline, leads to changes in plasma levels of these drugs.

Ethyl alcohol can potentiate the effects of nifedipine, which leads to a feeling of weakness and dizziness, as well as a disorder of coronary circulation processes.

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Storage conditions

Phenigidin should be kept in a dark, dry place, out of reach of children. Temperature values are within 8-15°C.

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Shelf life

Phenigidine must be taken for 3 years from the date of manufacture of the drug.

Reviews

Phenigidine is considered an outdated drug, and due to the presence of a fairly large number of restrictions on its use, doctors increasingly prescribe more modern and safer drug analogues instead.

Most reviews contain information that the drug often provokes negative reactions, which makes patients worry about their own health. But it should be noted that they all confirm that the drug demonstrates high efficiency, especially in the case of a sharp increase in systolic blood pressure or the development of angina attacks.

The difference between Phenigidin and other antihypertensive drugs is the presence of additional properties, because the active element not only reduces blood pressure, but also has an atherosclerotic effect. Patients have different opinions about this drug: some decide to use it, not paying attention to the presence of pronounced side effects, while others prefer to use safer modern drugs that lower blood pressure more smoothly, and do not lead to the appearance of negative signs.