Calcium channel blocker (dihydropyridine)Prescription only (Schedule H)Not for quick blood pressure loweringOn NLEM 2022NPPA price ceilingJan Aushadhi listed
Nifedipine
निफेडिपिन
Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker taken by mouth as a 10 mg immediate-release capsule for vasospastic and chronic stable angina. It is a Schedule H prescription medicine in India. The label says it should not be used to bring down blood pressure quickly, because of serious harm reported.
- Generic name
- Nifedipine
- Used for
- Vasospastic angina and chronic stable angina, per the capsule label
- Label used
- Capsule label (immediate release), oral, DailyMed set acb493a3, effective 2026-06
- Prescription status (India)
- Listed in Schedule H (prescription medicine)
- On NLEM 2022
- Yes
- NPPA price ceiling
- Yes (scheduled formulation)
More facts
- Jan Aushadhi
- Listed
- Banned combinations
- No mention in the banned-combination list we checked
Compiled from official drug labels and Indian government sources. Always follow your doctor's or pharmacist's advice.
Safety at a glance
- AlcoholNot mentioned in label text
- PregnancyCaution in label textSee wording
- BreastfeedingNot mentioned in label text
- DrivingCaution in label textSee wording
- KidneyNot mentioned in label text
- LiverCaution in label textSee wording
Taken only from the label text cited on this page. "Not mentioned" does not mean safe. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
What is nifedipine used for?
The US label for nifedipine capsules lists two kinds of angina.
The first is vasospastic angina, caused by spasm of a heart artery. The second is chronic stable angina (effort-related chest pain) in people who still have symptoms despite enough beta blockers or nitrates, or who cannot tolerate them.
The label warns against using the capsules for quick reduction of blood pressure.
- Vasospastic angina
- Chronic stable angina when beta blockers or nitrates are not enough or not tolerated
It is used to prevent chest pain from angina.
Source1
How does nifedipine work?
The source label we reviewed does not describe the mechanism of action in the text available to us.
The label notes that nifedipine lowers resistance in the blood vessels, which is why blood pressure needs to be watched.
The label text we reviewed does not describe its mechanism in detail.
Source1
How is nifedipine usually taken?
This page covers the US label for nifedipine 10 mg immediate-release capsules taken by mouth, with the adult dosing the label gives.
This is label-level information, not personal advice. Indian pack labels may differ, and your prescriber's instruction always comes first.
The label describes a starting dose of one 10 mg capsule, swallowed whole, three times a day. The usual effective range is 10 to 20 mg three times a day.
Some people, especially with coronary artery spasm, may need 20 to 30 mg three or four times a day. The label says more than 180 mg a day is not recommended. The dose is usually stepped up over 7 to 14 days.
The label advises avoiding grapefruit juice. If stopping, it advises reducing the dose gradually under medical supervision.
- Start one 10 mg capsule three times a day
- Swallow the capsule whole
- Stepped up over 1 to 2 weeks
- Avoid grapefruit juice
- Reduce gradually when stopping
It is usually taken three times a day, and the dose is built up slowly. Avoid grapefruit juice.
Source1
What are the side effects of nifedipine?
Common
- In trials, the most frequent effects were dizziness or lightheadedness, flushing or a heat sensation, headache, weakness, nausea or heartburn, muscle cramps and tremor.
Serious: get help
- Swelling of the ankles and legs occurred in about one in ten people. Palpitations, mood changes and breathlessness were also reported.
- Serious effects include excessive low blood pressure and, rarely, a rise in angina or a heart attack when starting or raising the dose.
- Get help now if you have chest pain that is worse or more frequent, fainting, severe dizziness, a very fast heartbeat, or yellow eyes.
- Common: dizziness, flushing, headache, weakness, nausea, ankle swelling
- Serious: very low blood pressure, worse angina or heart attack, liver problems
- Get help now: worse chest pain, fainting, racing heartbeat, yellow eyes
Dizziness, flushing, headache and ankle swelling are common. Worse chest pain needs urgent care.
Source1
Who should be careful with nifedipine?
It must not be used by anyone with a known allergy to nifedipine.
The label warns of excessive low blood pressure, especially during the first dose and dose changes, and in people already on beta blockers or other blood pressure medicines.
People with severe blocked heart arteries may have more angina or a heart attack on starting. Liver impairment slows clearance of the drug.
The label says nifedipine caused harm to the fetus in animal studies, so pregnancy needs a doctor's advice. Tell your doctor before any surgery.
- Allergy to nifedipine: do not use
- Low blood pressure and beta blocker users: closer monitoring
- Severe coronary disease: risk of more angina
- Liver impairment: slower clearance
- Pregnancy: animal studies showed harm; ask your doctor
Blood pressure must be watched, especially when starting or raising the dose.
Source1
What medicines interact with nifedipine?
- Grapefruit juice: avoid
- Cimetidine: raises nifedipine levels
- Beta blockers: watch blood pressure
- Digoxin: monitor levels
- Warfarin, quinidine: rare interactions
- The label says grapefruit juice should be avoided.
- Cimetidine raises nifedipine levels significantly.
- Beta blockers are usually well tolerated but may occasionally cause heart failure, severe low blood pressure or worse angina.
- Digoxin levels should be monitored, and coumarin anticoagulants and quinidine have rare reports of interaction.
- Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all your medicines.
No match in this label text. Ask your pharmacist about any medicine you take.
Avoid grapefruit juice. Cimetidine, beta blockers and digoxin need care.
Source1
What if too much nifedipine is taken?
The label says overdose can cause pronounced low blood pressure, calling for active heart and breathing support.
Dialysis is not likely to help, as nifedipine is highly protein bound. Seek emergency care or contact a poison control centre.
An overdose can cause dangerously low blood pressure and needs emergency care.
Source1
How should nifedipine be stored?
The label says capsules should be protected from light and moisture and stored at 20 to 25 degrees C in the original container.
Follow the storage line on your own Indian pack and keep medicines away from children.
Store at room temperature in the original container, away from light and moisture.
Source1
Is nifedipine a prescription medicine in India?
Yes. We found nifedipine in Schedule H of the Drugs Rules (serial 357, rules 65 and 97), so it is a prescription medicine.
It is on the National List of Essential Medicines 2022 as a 10 mg tablet (page 102).
The Jan Aushadhi list we checked includes prolonged-release, sustained-release and extended-release tablets and a 5 mg capsule. We found no mention of nifedipine in the banned-combination list we checked.
| Formulation | Strength | Unit | Ceiling price (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capsule | 10 mg | 1 capsule | 0.86 |
| Tablet | 10 mg | 1 tablet | 1.23 |
It is a Schedule H prescription medicine on the NLEM 2022, with NPPA ceilings.
What is the price ceiling for nifedipine?
NPPA lists ceilings of Rs 0.86 per 10 mg capsule and Rs 1.23 per 10 mg tablet. They are ceilings, not the price you will always pay.
Jan Aushadhi lists several nifedipine tablets and a capsule. Check the pack and the seller for the actual price.
NPPA lists ceilings per 10 mg capsule and tablet. Check the pack and seller.
Frequently asked questions
Can nifedipine capsules be used to lower blood pressure quickly?
No. The label says they should not be used for acute blood pressure reduction, because profound low blood pressure, heart attack and death have been reported.
Source1
Can I have grapefruit juice with nifedipine?
The label advises avoiding grapefruit juice with nifedipine, as it may change drug levels. Ask your pharmacist.
Source1
Does nifedipine cause swollen ankles?
Yes. The label says mild to moderate swelling of the legs occurs in about one in ten people. Tell your doctor if it troubles you.
Source1
Should I swallow the capsule whole?
The label describes swallowing the capsule whole. Follow your prescriber's instructions.
Source1
Is nifedipine a prescription medicine in India?
Yes. We found it in Schedule H of the Drugs Rules.
Source2
Sources
- 1U.S. FDA-approved label (DailyMed) (acb493a3-b8f2-41a9-8ab2-550d97c4592a) Open source · 2026-10-15
- 2Drugs Rules 1945, Schedules (2022 consolidation) (Schedule H, serial 357 (rules 65 and 97)) Open source · 2026-10-15
- 3National List of Essential Medicines 2022 (102) Open source · 2026-10-15
- 4NPPA price ceiling list (All scheduled (NLEM 2015) 14) Open source · 2026-10-15
- 5PMBJP (Jan Aushadhi) product list (p15:sno333) Open source · 2026-10-15
Compiled by software from the sources above and checked by automated rules. Last checked: 2026-10-15 · How we use sources · Report a correction
This information is educational and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. It does not tell you what dose you personally should take. In an emergency call 112.