Lercanidipine
NHS information about the medicine lercanidipine, including what it's used for, who can use it, how to use it and side effects.
What lercanidipine is for
Lercanidipine is used to manage high blood pressure (hypertension). It helps to lower your blood pressure, reducing your risk of complications like heart failure and stroke.
Lercanidipine is a type of medicine called a calcium-channel blocker.
It works by relaxing and widening your blood vessels, making it easier for blood to pump around your body.
How to take lercanidipine
Lercanidipine usually comes as tablets that you swallow.
You'll usually need to take it once a day, at the same time every day. Take it at least 15 minutes before having a meal, ideally before your first meal of the day.
Your doctor will tell you how much to take and for how long. Lercanidipine treatment for high blood pressure is often long term.
Always check the packet or leaflet that comes with your medicine. Ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice if you're not sure how to take it or you have any problems taking it.
If you miss a dose of lercanidipine
If you miss a dose of lercanidipine, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as usual.
Do not take 2 doses to make up for a missed dose.
If you take too much lercanidipine
Taking an extra dose of lercanidipine can be dangerous.
Side effects of lercanidipine
Like all medicines, lercanidipine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.
Common side effects
Common side effects of lercanidipine tablets include:
- headaches
- a fast heartbeat, or feeling like your heartbeat is more noticeable (palpitations)
- reddening of your face or neck (flushing)
- swollen ankles
- tummy pain and feeling sick (nausea)
- feeling weak and tired (fatigue)
- dizziness
- a rash
If you feel dizzy or sleepy after taking lercanidipine, do not drive, ride a bike or use machinery until you no longer have these symptoms.
More about side effects
These are not all the side effects of lercanidipine.
For a full list, see the leaflet that comes with your medicine or search for your medicine leaflet on the electronic medicines compendium website.
You can report any side effects you get on the Yellow Card website
Who can and cannot take lercanidipine
Most adults can take lercanidipine.
But lercanidipine is not suitable for everyone. For example, it may not be suitable if:
- you've had an allergic reaction to lercanidipine
- you have heart problems such as heart failure or angina
- you've recently had a heart attack
- you have severe liver or kidney problems
Before taking lercanidipine, tell your doctor if you have any medical conditions.
Breastfeeding and lercanidipine
Tell your doctor if you're breastfeeding.
Your doctor may recommend using a different blood pressure medicine while you're breastfeeding.
It's rare for breastfed babies to get any side effects of medicines you're using, but speak to a healthcare professional or call NHS 111 if you have any concerns about your baby.
Pregnancy and lercanidipine
Tell your doctor if you're pregnant or planning to get pregnant.
Your doctor will usually recommend taking a different blood pressure medicine while you're pregnant, but do not stop taking lercanidipine unless they tell you to.
Taking lercanidipine with other medicines, food and drink
There are some medicines, remedies and supplements that may not mix well with lercanidipine.
This includes some types of:
- antibiotics, such as erythromycin and clarithromycin
- beta blockers
- medicines to treat high cholesterol, such as simvastatin
- other blood pressure medicines
- medicines for heart problems, such as digoxin and sotalol
- medicines to treat fungal infections
- epilepsy medicines, such as carbamazepine
Before taking lercanidipine, tell your doctor if you're taking any other medicines, herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.
Food, drink and alcohol with lercanidipine
Taking lercanidipine with food can affect how it works. It's best to take it at least 15 minutes before having a meal, ideally before your first meal of the day.
Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking lercanidipine.
It's also best to avoid drinking alcohol while taking lercanidipine because it can affect the way it works.
Find out more about your medicine
To find out more about your medicine, you can:
- check the leaflet that comes with it
- search for your medicine leaflet on the electronic medicines compendium website
- speak to a pharmacist or doctor for advice – if you recently started taking it, you can get help with newly prescribed medicines from a pharmacist as part of the New Medicines Service
