Plendil

A long-acting calcium channel blocker called plendil is used to treat angina (chest pain) and high blood pressure. Plendil is a member of the calcium channel blocker drug subclass. In order to facilitate easier blood flow, it works by relaxing blood vessels. The generic version of plendil is offered.
Overview
Uses
Side Effects
Medication
Ingredients
Supplements
Pharmacokinetics

Pharmacokinetics

Following oral administration, plendil is rapidly and thoroughly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Plendil has a bioavailability of about 60%. Within 2-4 hours following an oral dose, felodipine reaches its peak plasma concentrations. 21 L/kg is the average apparent volume of distribution. Over the therapeutic range, felodipine has an approximately 94% plasma protein binding rate that is unaffected by concentration.

Plendil has a 12-hour half-life in the body. By way of CYP3A4, felodipine is primarily converted into norfelodipine, an active metabolite with pharmacologic properties comparable to those of the parent compound. Fenomedipine, which makes up 10% of the dose, and norfelodipine, which makes up 60%, are both excreted in the urine.

Indications

The purpose of plendil is to treat hypertension and lower blood pressure. The risk of both fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events, particularly strokes and myocardial infarctions, is decreased by lowering blood pressure. Controlled trials of antihypertensive medications from a wide range of pharmacologic classes, including Plendil, have demonstrated these advantages.

Additionally, plendil is prescribed to treat chronic stable angina.

Contraindications

Patients with known hypersensitivity to this medication or any of its ingredients should not take plendil. Additionally, patients with cardiogenic shock or severe hypotension (systolic blood pressure 90 mmHg) should not take plendil.

Side Effects

The most common side effects of Plendil are headache, dizziness, fatigue, and peripheral edema. These side effects usually are mild and resolve with continued treatment.

Serious side effects have been reported with Plendil, including hypotension, worsening angina, and acute myocardial infarction. These events occurred early in therapy (within 1 month) and mostly in patients with preexisting unstable angina or severe congestive heart failure. Therefore, caution is advised when Plendil is administered to patients with unstable angina or congestive heart failure.

Dosage and Administration

The Plendil starting dose is five milligrams once daily. Depending on the blood pressure response, the dosage may be increased to a maximum advised dose of 10 mg once daily.

A dose adjustment is not necessary for patients with mild to moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance 30 mL/min). The maximum dose suggested in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance 30 mL/min) is 5 mg once daily.

Patients with mild hepatic impairment do not require a dose adjustment. The maximum dose suggested in patients with mild hepatic impairment is 10 mg once daily. Plendil should be used with caution in patients who have severe hepatic impairment because it has not been studied in these individuals.

Overdose

On the overdose of Plendil in humans, little is known. The most frequently reported signs and symptoms of a Plendil overdose are bradycardia and hypotension. Treatment for a Plendil overdose should focus on symptom relief and emotional support. Overdosing on Plendil has no specific remedy.