Nifedipine

Nifedipine
Clinical data
Pronunciation	/nəˈfɛdəpin/ nə-FEH-də-peen
Trade names	Adalat, Procardia, others
AHFS/Drugs.com	Monograph
MedlinePlus	a684028
License data	US DailyMed: Nifedipine;
Pregnancy; category	AU: C;
Routes of; administration	By mouth, topical
Drug class	Calcium channel blocker (dihydropyridine)
ATC code	C08CA05 (WHO) ;
Legal status
Legal status	CA: ℞-only; US: ℞-only;
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	45-56%
Protein binding	92-98%
Metabolism	Gastrointestinal, Liver
Elimination half-life	2 hours
Excretion	Kidneys: >50%, bile duct: 5-15%
Identifiers
	IUPAC name 3,5-dimethyl 2,6-dimethyl-4-(2-nitrophenyl)-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate;
CAS Number	21829-25-4 ;
PubChem CID	4485;
IUPHAR/BPS	2514;
DrugBank	DB01115 ;
ChemSpider	4330 ;
UNII	I9ZF7L6G2L;
KEGG	D00437 ;
ChEBI	CHEBI:7565 ;
ChEMBL	ChEMBL193 ;
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID2025715 ;
ECHA InfoCard	100.040.529
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C17H18N2O6
Molar mass	346.339 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image;
Melting point	173 °C (343 °F)
	SMILES O=C(OC)\C1=C(\N/C(=C(/C(=O)OC)C1c2ccccc2[N+]([O-])=O)C)C;
	InChI InChI=1S/C17H18N2O6/c1-9-13(16(20)24-3)15(14(10(2)18-9)17(21)25-4)11-7-5-6-8-12(11)19(22)23/h5-8,15,18H,1-4H3 ; Key:HYIMSNHJOBLJNT-UHFFFAOYSA-N ;
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Nifedipine (/nəˈfɛdəpin/ nə-FEH-də-peen), 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. 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 2022, it was the 151st most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 3 million prescriptions.