Cilnidipine

Indications

Cilnidipine is used for: Hypertension

Adult Dose

Oral Hypertension Adult: 5-10 mg once daily, increase to 20 mg once daily if necessary.

Child Dose

Renal Dose

Administration

Contra Indications

Cardiogenic shock; recent MI or acute unstable angina; severe aortic stenosis.

Precautions

Hypotension, poor cardiac reserve, heart failure. Sudden withdrawal may exacerbate angina. Discontinue in patients who experience ischemic pain following administration. Pregnancy, lactation.

Pregnancy-Lactation

Interactions

Other antihypertensives; aldesleukin; antipsychotics that cause hypotension; may modify insulin and glucose responses; quinidine; carbamazepine; phenytoin; rifampicin; cimetidine; erythromycin.

Adverse Effects

Side effects of Cilnidipine : Dizziness; flushing; headache; hypotension; peripheral oedema; tachycardia; palpitations; GI disturbances; increased micturition frequency; lethargy; eye pain; depression; ischaemic chest pain; cerebral or myocardial ischaemia; transient blindness; rashes; fever; abnormal liver function; gingival hyperplasia; myalgia; tremor; impotence.

Mechanism of Action

Cilnidipine is a dihydropyridine calcium-channel blocker. It inhibits cellular influx of calcium, thus causing vasodilatation. It has greater selectivity for vascular smooth muscle. It has little or no action at the SA or AV nodes and -ve inotropic activity is rarely seen at therapeutic doses.