Procardia XL Uses

Procardia XL uses primarily include treating high blood pressure, as well as stable and variant angina. The medication is a type of calcium channel blocker that works by relaxing the blood vessels to allow better blood flow and make it easier for the heart to pump blood. Some off-label Procardia XL uses include treating preterm labor, the hiccups, and migraine headaches.

 

Procardia XL Uses: An Overview

Procardia XL® (nifedipine) is a prescription medication used to treat certain types of chest pain (angina) and high blood pressure (hypertension).
 

Procardia XL Uses for Angina

Chest pain is known medically as angina.
 There are several types of angina, including:
 
Stable angina is the most common type of angina and occurs when the heart is working harder than usual. This type of angina pain comes at predicable times (such as during exercise) and usually goes away in a few minutes after you rest or take your angina medicine. Stable angina is usually caused by coronary artery disease. The coronary arteries are blood vessels that carry blood and oxygen to the heart muscle. When these arteries become clogged with fatty deposits called plaque, it's called coronary artery disease, coronary heart disease, or just heart disease. Clogged arteries can keep the heart from getting enough blood and oxygen, and can cause chest pain.
 
Unstable angina is a dangerous condition that requires emergency treatment, as it is a sign that a heart attack could occur soon. Unlike stable angina, it does not follow a pattern. It can occur without physical exertion and is not relieved by rest or medicine.
 
Variant angina (also known as vasospastic angina) is rare. It usually occurs when the person is resting and is caused by spasms in the arteries of the heart. It may be associated with coronary artery disease, but it can also occur in people with otherwise healthy hearts. Variant angina can increase your risk of a heart attack or an irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
 
Procardia XL is approved to treat stable angina and variant angina. It helps the blood vessels to relax, which relieves pain and lessens the workload on the heart.
 
(Procardia XL Uses Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;