Nisoldipine

Nisoldipine is a medication that is used for treating high blood pressure. It helps to relax blood vessels, which allows better blood flow and makes it easier for the heart to pump blood. Nisoldipine, which is available by prescription, comes in the form of extended-release tablets and is usually taken once a day. Possible side effects of nisoldipine include sore throat, dizziness, headache, and swelling or water retention.

 

What Is Nisoldipine?

Nisoldipine (Sular®) is a prescription medication used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Nisoldipine tablets are extended release, meaning they release the medication slowly and evenly over time.
 
(Click What Is Nisoldipine Used For? for more information on nisoldipine uses, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes Nisoldipine?

Nisoldipine is made by Sciele Pharma, Inc.
 

How Does Nisoldipine Work?

Nisoldipine is part of a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers. The drug helps slow down the rate at which calcium moves into your heart and into the blood vessel walls. This, in turn, helps to relax the 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 the heart rate, while dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers do not. Nisoldipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, which means that it does not usually decrease the heart rate.
 

Nisoldipine Effects

In clinical studies, nisoldipine was shown to decrease
 systolic blood pressure by up to 15 mmHg, on average, depending on the dose. It also lowered diastolic blood pressure by up to 10 mmHg, on average.
 
(Nisoldipine Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;