Afeditab Uses

Afeditab CR is approved for use in controlling high blood pressure in adults. The medication, which is a calcium channel blocker, has been shown to effectively reduce blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels to improve blood flow and make it easier for the heart to pump blood. Afeditab CR can also decrease the risk of developing problems associated with long-term high blood pressure. Some off-label Afeditab CR uses include treating preterm labor, the hiccups, and migraine headaches.

Afeditab CR Drug Information

Afeditab Uses: An Overview

Afeditab CR^® (nifedipine) is a prescription medication used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

A blood pressure reading consists of two numbers -- for example, 120/80. The top number is known as the systolic blood pressure, and the bottom number is the diastolic blood pressure. High blood pressure is defined as an average blood pressure higher than 140/90, with multiple blood pressure readings.

In clinical studies, Afeditab CR has been shown to significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure. By lowering blood pressure, Afeditab CR can decrease the risk of developing health problems (such as a stroke, heart disease, or congestive heart failure) that can occur with long-term high blood pressure (see Effects of High Blood Pressure). Afeditab CR is not a cure for high blood pressure.

How Afeditab Works

Afeditab CR is part of a class of drugs called

calcium channel blockers. Afeditab CR helps to slow down the rate at which calcium moves into the heart and into the walls of the blood vessels. This, in turn, helps to relax the blood vessels, which allows better blood flow and makes it easier for the heart to pump blood.

There are two basic types of calcium channel blockers, dihydropyridine and non-dihydropyridine. The most important difference between the two types is that non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers can slow down the heart rate, while dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers do not. Afeditab CR is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, which means that it does not usually decrease the heart rate.

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