Zanidip (Lercanidipine Hydrochloride)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Zanidip Used For?
Zanidip contains lercanidipine hydrochloride and belongs to a group of medicines called calcium channel blockers. It is specifically designed to help manage high blood pressure.
Primary Uses
Zanidip is used to lower high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure often has no symptoms, but if left untreated, it can lead to serious health problems including stroke, heart disease, and kidney failure.
How It Works
Zanidip works by relaxing some of the blood vessels in your body and reducing resistance to blood flow through the blood vessels. This helps lower your blood pressure and reduces the strain on your heart.
Good to know: You may feel fine and have no symptoms of high blood pressure, but regular monitoring and treatment are important to prevent serious health complications.
How to Take Zanidip
Take Zanidip exactly as prescribed by your doctor. It’s important to take it consistently at the same time each day for the best results.
Dosage Instructions
The usual starting dose is one 10 mg tablet taken once daily, but your doctor may increase this to 20 mg once daily if needed. Take Zanidip at least 15 minutes before meals at the same time each day. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you remember within 12 hours of when your dose was due, take it straight away and continue as normal the next day. If more than 12 hours have passed, skip that day’s dose and take your next dose when it’s due. If you miss several doses, contact your doctor.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. This could cause your blood pressure to drop too low.
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:
- flushing
- swelling of ankles, feet, or lower legs
- palpitations
- headache
- dizziness or fainting
- heartburn, nausea, stomach pain, or diarrhea
- fatigue or sleepiness
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- angina (chest pain or tightness)
- increased heartbeat
- signs of allergy such as rash, itching, or hives on the skin
Important Warnings
Before taking Zanidip, it’s crucial to discuss your medical history and current medications with your doctor to ensure it’s safe for you.
Who Should Not Take Zanidip
Do not take Zanidip if you are allergic to lercanidipine or related medicines (such as amlodipine, felodipine, or nifedipine), have an obstruction to blood flow from the heart, untreated heart failure, unstable angina, recent heart attack (within one month), severe liver or kidney disease, are taking ciclosporin, consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if the packaging is damaged.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, are on dialysis, have heart conditions such as uncontrolled heart failure, heart blockages, unstable chest pain, recent heart attack, or need a pacemaker. Also mention if you’re taking other blood pressure medications like beta-blockers, diuretics, ACE-inhibitors, or angiotensin II receptor antagonists.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Zanidip is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking Zanidip. Like most calcium channel blockers, it should not be used while breastfeeding.
Not for children: Zanidip is not recommended for use in children under 18 years of age.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interact with Zanidip, affecting how it works or increasing the risk of side effects. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
Grapefruit interaction: Do not take Zanidip with grapefruit or grapefruit juice as these may increase the effects of this medicine and cause dangerous side effects.
- astemizole
- ciclosporin
- cimetidine (more than 800 mg daily)
- clarithromycin, erythromycin, troleandomycin
- fluoxetine
- itraconazole, ketoconazole
- corticosteroids
- metoprolol, propranolol
- rifampicin
- ritonavir
- medicines for enlarged prostate
- medicines for depression
- epilepsy medicines (carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin)
- terfenadine
- amiodarone, digoxin, midazolam, quinidine, simvastatin, sotalol
Alcohol & Driving
Zanidip can affect your ability to drive safely and may interact with alcohol. Take precautions until you know how the medication affects you.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Your doctor may ask you to limit or stop alcohol intake while taking Zanidip, as alcohol may increase the blood pressure-lowering effects and cause dizziness or fainting.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how Zanidip affects you. While it generally doesn’t cause problems, some people may feel dizzy, light-headed, or faint, especially when first starting the medication. If you feel dizzy when getting up, do so slowly.
Storage
Keep Zanidip tablets in their original blister pack until it’s time to take them. Store in a cool, dry place away from sunlight where the temperature stays below 30°C. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children in a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Zanidip, seek immediate medical attention. Contact the Poisons Information Centre (Australia: 13 11 26), your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if you feel fine. Overdose symptoms may include dangerously low blood pressure, dizziness, headache, irregular and fast heartbeat, and possible unconsciousness.
Frequently Asked Questions
The source doesn’t specify exact timing, but Zanidip works by relaxing blood vessels to lower blood pressure. Your doctor will monitor your progress through regular appointments to ensure it’s working effectively.
Zanidip should be taken at least 15 minutes before meals for best results. Taking it consistently at the same time each day, before eating, helps ensure proper absorption.
Always speak to your doctor or pharmacist before deciding to stop taking Zanidip. Since it’s used to control high blood pressure, stopping suddenly could cause your blood pressure to rise again.
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Your doctor may ask you to limit or stop alcohol intake while taking Zanidip, as alcohol may increase the blood pressure-lowering effects and cause dizziness or fainting.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can increase the effects of Zanidip, potentially making it too strong and causing dangerous side effects. Avoid grapefruit products completely while taking this medication.
Dizziness can occur, especially when first starting Zanidip or when getting up from lying or sitting. Get up slowly to minimize dizziness. If you feel light-headed, dizzy, or faint, be careful before driving or using machinery.
The source doesn’t provide specific information about elderly patients, but mentions that some people may feel dizzy or faint, especially when first taking the medication. Elderly patients should discuss their individual situation with their doctor.
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.