Plendil ER (Felodipine)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Plendil ER Used For?
Plendil ER contains felodipine and is prescribed to treat high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. The ‘ER’ stands for Extended Release, meaning the tablets work over a 24-hour period.
Primary Uses
Plendil ER is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It helps control your high blood pressure but does not cure it. Treatment is usually necessary for the rest of your life.
How It Works
Plendil ER lowers blood pressure by dilating (expanding) small blood vessels, allowing blood to be pumped around the body more easily. It belongs to a family of medicines called calcium channel blockers, which do not change how your body absorbs calcium from food.
Good to know: Plendil ER is not addictive.
How to Take Plendil ER
Take Plendil ER exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The tablets are designed to work over 24 hours and must be swallowed whole.
Dosage Instructions
The usual starting dose is one 2.5 mg or 5 mg tablet taken once daily at the same time each day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed, sometimes up to 20 mg once daily. If you need to take more than one tablet, take them together. Swallow tablets whole with a glass of water – do not divide, crush, or chew them. You can take it with or without food, but never with grapefruit juice.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, as long as it’s more than 12 hours before your next dose. If it’s less than 12 hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Do not crush or chew tablets as they won’t work properly over 24 hours.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Headache
- Swelling of ankles
- Dizziness
- Flushing
- Heart pounding (palpitations)
- Tiredness (fatigue)
- Nausea (feeling sick)
- Frequent urination
- Sexual dysfunction
- Stomach pain
- Gum pain, swelling or redness
- Fever
- Increased skin sensitivity to sunlight
- Burning, prickling, numbness, or ‘pins and needles’ sensation
- Joint or muscle pain
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Skin rash
- Fainting
- Chest pain
- Rapid heartbeat
- Swelling of face, tongue, or back of throat
- Harsh sounds or difficulty breathing
Important Warnings
Before taking Plendil ER, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and medications to ensure it’s safe for you.
Who Should Not Take Plendil ER
Do not take Plendil ER if you are allergic to felodipine or any ingredients in the tablets, have uncompensated heart failure, acute heart attack, cardiac valve obstruction, dynamic cardiac outflow obstruction, or unstable chest pain (angina).
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have heart problems (including angina), liver problems, any allergies to blood pressure medications or other medicines, or if you are lactose intolerant (tablets contain lactose). Also inform them about all other medications you’re taking.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not use Plendil ER if you are pregnant or likely to become pregnant, as it may affect your baby. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking this medicine. While small amounts may pass into breast milk, it’s unlikely to affect your infant when taking normal doses. Discuss risks and benefits with your doctor.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interfere with Plendil ER and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
Grapefruit interaction: Never take Plendil ER with grapefruit juice as it may increase the medicine’s effects.
- Cimetidine (for stomach ulcers or heartburn)
- Antibiotics like erythromycin and rifampicin
- Tacrolimus (anti-rejection medicine for transplants)
- Antifungal medicines like itraconazole and ketoconazole
- Epilepsy medicines like phenytoin and carbamazepine
- Sleep medicines like barbiturates
- St John’s Wort (herbal mood disorder remedy)
- Other blood pressure medications
Alcohol & Driving
Be cautious with alcohol and driving while taking Plendil ER, as it can affect your blood pressure and cause dizziness.
Alcohol
Be careful when drinking alcohol while using Plendil ER. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol and discuss any concerns with your doctor or pharmacist.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how Plendil ER affects you. When starting treatment, you may feel dizzy or faint due to the drop in blood pressure.
Storage
Store Plendil ER below 25°C in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Keep tablets in the blister pack until it’s time to take them – they won’t keep well if removed early. Store in a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground, away from children. Don’t store in bathrooms, cars, or on window sills.
Overdose Information
If you think you’ve taken too much Plendil ER, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if you feel fine. Overdose symptoms may include headache, slow heartbeat, very low blood pressure, dizziness, tiredness, or nausea.
Frequently Asked Questions
Plendil ER is designed to work over a 24-hour period as an extended-release tablet. Your doctor will monitor your progress and may adjust your dose as needed.
Yes, it doesn’t matter if you take Plendil ER with food or not. However, you must never take it with grapefruit juice as this can increase the medicine’s effects.
No, Plendil ER is not addictive.
Do not stop taking Plendil ER suddenly unless you have discussed it with your doctor. Treatment for high blood pressure is usually necessary for life.
Be careful when drinking alcohol while using Plendil ER. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol and discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, as long as it’s more than 12 hours before your next dose. If it’s less than 12 hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose. Never take a double dose.
No, you must swallow Plendil ER tablets whole. Do not divide, crush, or chew them as they are designed to work over 24 hours and won’t work properly if broken.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.