Any medical people about - nefedipine and heart rate

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

Started on nefedipine on wednesday - low dose 10mg slow release. Makes me feel really really tired. Didnt tale it friday saturday cos dh was poorly and I couldnt cope with feeling so tired.

Took it two hours ago, feel slow and really tired again. Wondered if it was due to fast heart rate. Normal for me is 80 and do get tachycardia sometimes (esp with some tablets) But it was the opposite: 56-60 I have never had a heart rate that slow. Is it common, do I need to worry? sunday night not great for this sort of question!

Dh says nefedipine shouldn't decrease your heart rate, (it would not change it or may increase it). The lower rate could be other reasons not the drug. As for feeling tired its common with this drug as it is a calcium chanel blocker and causes vasodilation, resulting in lower blood pressure. See your gp who will change the drug if you find you are not tolerating it well.

Also have you called the NHS 24 helpline 0845 4647 you can speak directly to medical staff who can advise you.

I felt very tired when I started Nifedipine (just after both dds were born, for a few weeks each time). I got used to them after a week or so, but a couple of hours after taking them I would get dizzy and have all sorts of weird feelings.

Don't remember the heart rate side of things, but it definitely didn't increase it - was taking BP very regularly, with pulse measured simultaneously, and I would have noticed that. Can't remember whether it dropped (wouldn't have worried about that so wouldn't have remembered, iyswim).

Do call NHS direct if you're worried!

thank you very much samsonara - I do appreciate you asking your dh. I've not phoned nhs direct perhaps I should have done but really I just want to go to sleep so I shall. I'm going to make an appt with my gp - its for raynauds so its not essential that I take it.

Thanks Elibean. Its astonishing how much effect one teeny tablet can have! I'm not too worried now but I will phone if I feel I need too.

Strictly speaking nifedipine has much less effect, if any, on heart rate compared to other calcium channel blockers . Are you taking any other meds? How bad is the Raynauds? This can be a horrible time of year for Ryanauds sufferers.

Wobblypig - am on diclofenac, spasmanol and omeprazole for psoriatic arthritis. The raynauds isn't good atm with ulcerating chilblains on my feet. What with widespread psoriasis this isn't my best time of year!

(spasmanol cos diclofenac giving me bad tummy cramps. Sometimes I think I'm just really not a helpful patient)

am off to bed. no good whinging I'm tired if i don't actually do something about it!

thanks all - I appreciate it.