Drugs & Vitamins

Lercanidipine tablets Active Ingredients: Lercanidipine tablets Representative Names: Lastolic, Zanidip What are lercanidipine tablets? What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine? How should this medicine be used? What if I miss a dose? What drug(s) may interact with lercanidipine? What side effects may I notice from receiving Lercanidipine? What should I watch for while taking lercanidipine? Where can I keep my medicine? What are lercanidipine tablets? (Back to top) LERCANIDIPINE (Lastolic™, Zanidip®) is a calcium-channel blocker. It relaxes blood vessels, which can lower blood pressure and reduce the amount of work the heart has to do. Lercanidipine reduces blood pressure and may reduce attacks of chest pain if you have angina. It is not a cure. Generic lercanidipine tablets are not available. What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine? (Back to top) They need to know if you have any of these conditions: •heart failure •heart valve problems such as aortic stenosis •liver disease •low blood pressure •persistent chest pain •previous heart attack •slow or irregular heartbeat •an unusual reaction to lercanidipine, dihydropyridine-type calcium channel blockers (examples: amlodipine, nifedipine), other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives •pregnant or trying to get pregnant •breast-feeding How should this medicine be used? (Back to top) Take lercanidipine tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water. Do not take lercanidipine with grapefruit juice or with a high-fat meal. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often then directed. Do not stop taking except when advised by your prescriber. Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed. What if I miss a dose? (Back to top) If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses. What drug(s) may interact with lercanidipine? (Back to top) •antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen) •barbiturates such as phenobarbital •bosentan •cimetidine •grapefruit juice •herbal or dietary supplements such as ginger, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, hawthorn, ma huang (ephedra), melatonin, St. John's wort, red yeast rice •imatinib, STI-571 •local anesthetics or general anesthetics •medicines for fungal infections (fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole) •medicines for high blood pressure •medicines for HIV infection or AIDS •medicines for prostate problems •medicines for seizures (carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, zonisamide) •monoamine oxidase inhibitors (Azilect®, Eldepryl®, Emsam®, Marplan®, Nardil®, Parnate®, Zelapar™) •rifampin, rifapentine, or rifabutin •some antibiotics (clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin, troleandomycin) •some medicines for heart-rhythm problems (amiodarone, diltiazem, verapamil) •some medicines for depression or mental problems (fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, nefazodone) •water pills (diuretics) •yohimbine •zafirlukast •zileuton Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines. What side effects may I notice from receiving Lercanidipine? (Back to top) Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible: •fainting spells, dizziness or lightheadedness •irregular heartbeat, chest pain, palpitations •swelling of the legs or ankles Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome): •drowsiness •facial flushing •fatigue •headache •nausea, vomiting •stomach pain What should I watch for while taking lercanidipine? (Back to top) Check your blood pressure and pulse rate regularly; this is important while you are taking lercanidipine. Ask your prescriber or health care professional what your blood pressure and pulse rate should be and when you should contact him or her. You may feel dizzy or lightheaded. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how lercanidipine affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells, do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Avoid alcoholic drinks; they can make you more dizzy, increase flushing and rapid heartbeats. Do not suddenly stop taking lercanidipine. Ask your prescriber or health care professional how you can gradually reduce the dose. If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking lercanidipine. Where can I keep my medicine? (Back to top) Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open. Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from light. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date. Last Updated:09/13/2006 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY© GOLD STANDARD MULTIMEDIA INC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Note: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before taking the product.