Felodipine

Uses

Vasodilator.

brand name

Plendil (AstraZeneca).

Clinical Use

Calcium-channel blocker:
Hypertension
Angina

Drug interactions

Potentially hazardous interactions with other drugs
Aminophylline and theophylline: possibly increased aminophylline and theophylline concentration.
Anaesthetics: enhanced hypotensive effect.
Antibacterials metabolism possibly inhibited by clarithromycin, erythromycin and telithromycin.
Antidepressants: enhanced hypotensive effect with MAOIs.
Antiepileptics: effect reduced by carbamazepine, barbiturates, phenytoin and primidone.
Antifungals: metabolism inhibited by itraconazole and ketoconazole; negative inotropic effect possibly increased with itraconazole.
Antihypertensives: enhanced hypotensive effect, increased risk of first dose hypotensive effect of postsynaptic alpha-blockers.
Antivirals: concentration possibly increased by ritonavir; use with caution with telaprevir.
Grapefruit juice: concentration increased - avoid concomitant use.
Tacrolimus: possibly increased tacrolimus concentration

Metabolism

Felodipine is metabolised in the liver and all identified metabolites are devoid of vasodilating properties. Approximately 70% of a given dose is excreted as metabolites in the urine and about 10% with the faeces. Less than 0.5% of the dose is excreted unchanged in the urin