Adalat Uses

A healthcare provider may prescribe Adalat CC to treat high blood pressure in adults. Although Adalat CC does not cure high blood pressure, it can help control it and can decrease the risk of developing health problems associated with long-term high blood pressure. Adalat CC works by relaxing the blood vessels to improve blood flow. Some off-label Adalat CC uses include treating preterm labor, the hiccups, and chest pain.

Adalat Drug Information

Adalat Uses: An Overview

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

How Adalat Works

Adalat CC is part of a class of drugs called

calcium channel blockers. Adalat CC helps to slow down the rate at which calcium moves into your 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. Adalat CC is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, which means that it does not usually decrease the heart rate.

(Adalat Uses Continued: Page 2)