What Is Nisoldipine Used For?

Nisoldipine is used for treating high blood pressure. It is a type of calcium channel blocker, which works to decrease diastolic and systolic blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels. Occasionally, nisoldipine is also used "off-label" for treating other conditions, such as chest pain. There are currently no approved nisoldipine uses for children.

Nisoldipine Drug Information

Nisoldipine Uses: An Overview

Nisoldipine (Sular^®) 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, nisoldipine has been shown to significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure. By lowering blood pressure, nisoldipine 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). Nisoldipine is not a cure for high blood pressure.

How Nisoldipine Works

Nisoldipine is part of a class of drugs called

calcium channel blockers. It 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.

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