Indications:

Vasospastic angina (Prinzmetal’s or Variant angina). Chronic stable angina (classic effort - associated angina). All types of hypertension. Angina or hypertension together with bronchospasm. Angina or hypertension in patients who cannot tolerate therapy with beta-adrenergic blockers or nitrates or who remain symptomatic despite adequate doses of these agents. Raynaud’s phenomenon. Primary pulmonary hypertension. In oesophageal smooth muscle achalasia, EPILAT has been used with some success. EPILAT may be helpful in some cases of diffuse oesophageal spasm and related motor disorders.

Contraindications:

Pregnancy. Hypersensitivity to nifedipine. Teratogenic and embryotoxic effects have been demonstrated in small animals, mostly at doses higher than the usual human dosage. It is not known whetherEPILAT is excreted in human milk or not; therefore it is given with caution to nursing women.

Adverse reactions:

These are generally not serious and rarely require discontinuation of therapy; only dosage adjustment is quite sufficient. They include transient headache, flushing, dizziness, allergic reactions, hypotension, palpitations, or peripheral oedema.

Interactions:

EPILAT may enhance the antihypertensive effects of beta-adrenergic blockers. The use of EPILAT in diabetic patients may require adjustment of their control.

Warnings:

Concomitant use of EPILAT and oral beta-adrenergic blockers is usually well-tolerated. However, close monitoring of the patient, and reassessment of the continued use is better done periodically. Mild to moderate oedema, typically associated with arterial vasodilatation and not due to left ventricular dysfunction, occurring primarily in the lower extremities may occur and usually responds to diuretics. Occasional elevations of transaminase and alkaline phosphatase have been reported. Congestive heart failure has rarely developed, usually in patients with tight aortic stenosis.

Form:

TABLET