Nifedipine

Clinical dataPronunciationTrade namesAdalat, Procardia, othersAHFS/Drugs.comMonographMedlinePlusa684028License dataPregnancy
categoryRoutes of
administrationBy mouth, topicalDrug classCalcium channel blocker (dihydropyridine)ATC codeLegal statusLegal statusPharmacokinetic dataBioavailability45-56%Protein binding92-98%MetabolismGastrointestinal, LiverElimination half-life2 hoursExcretionKidneys: >50%, bile duct: 5-15%IdentifiersCAS NumberPubChemCIDIUPHAR/BPSDrugBankChemSpiderUNIIKEGGChEBIChEMBLCompTox Dashboard(EPA)ECHA InfoCard100.040.529Chemical and physical dataFormulaC₁₇H₁₈N₂O₆Molar mass346.339 g·mol3D model (JSmol)Melting point173 °C (343 °F)(verify)

Nifedipine ( ), sold under the brand name Procardia among others, is a calcium channel blocker medication used to manage angina, high blood pressure, Raynaud's phenomenon, and premature labor. It is one of the treatments of choice for Prinzmetal angina/ variant angina. It may be used to treat severe high blood pressure in pregnancy. Its use in preterm labor may allow more time for steroids to improve the baby's lung function and provide time for transfer of the mother to a well-qualified medical facility before delivery. It is a calcium channel blocker of the dihydropyridine type. Nifedipine is taken by mouth and comes in fast- and slow-release formulations.

Common side effects include lightheadedness, headache, feeling tired, leg swelling, cough, and shortness of breath. Serious side effects may include low blood pressure and heart failure. Nifedipine is considered safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Nifedipine was patented in 1967 and approved for use in the United States in 1981. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. It is available as a generic medication. In 2023, it was the 120th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 5million prescriptions.