Adalat is the brand name for nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker widely used to manage high blood pressure (hypertension) and chest pain from angina, including both chronic stable angina and vasospastic (Prinzmetal) angina. By relaxing and widening arteries, nifedipine lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow to the heart muscle, which reduces the heart’s workload and the frequency of angina episodes.
Active ingredient: Nifedipine.
Therapeutic class: Dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker (CCB).
Common formulations: Immediate-release capsules (IR) and extended-release tablets (ER), marketed under brand names such as Adalat CC and others. Most modern long-term therapy relies on extended-release formulations for a steadier effect and improved tolerability.
Nifedipine inhibits calcium influx through L-type calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle. Less intracellular calcium means less constriction, so arteries relax and widen (vasodilation). The result is lower systemic vascular resistance (afterload) and improved coronary blood flow. In angina, this helps balance oxygen supply and demand in the heart muscle. In hypertension, arterial relaxation lowers blood pressure and reduces long-term cardiovascular risk when used as part of an overall treatment plan.
Adalat (nifedipine) is indicated for:
Off-label uses may include Raynaud’s phenomenon and certain specialized vascular conditions when deemed appropriate by a clinician. Use for preterm labor has largely fallen out of favor in many regions and should only occur under specialist guidance.
There are meaningful differences between nifedipine formulations:
Do not interchange different formulations without medical guidance. The release mechanism of extended-release tablets can be compromised by cutting, crushing, or chewing, which may release too much drug at once and increase risk of adverse effects.
Always follow your prescriber’s instructions. Dosages vary based on the condition being treated, your response, and other medications you take.
Administration tips:
Store Adalat at room temperature, ideally 59 to 86°F (15 to 30°C). Protect from excessive heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Check expiration dates and avoid using tablets that are damaged or discolored.
Do not take nifedipine if you have a known allergy to nifedipine or any component of the formulation. Additional cautions and contraindications include:
Tell your healthcare provider if any of the following apply to you:
Nifedipine interacts with many medications through the CYP3A4 enzyme system and other pathways. Always provide a full medication list, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements.
This is not a complete list. Always check with your pharmacist or prescriber before starting or stopping any medication or supplement.
Get emergency medical care for signs of a severe allergic reaction: hives; trouble breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor promptly if you experience potential serious adverse effects, such as:
Common, often self-limited side effects can include:
Report persistent or bothersome side effects to your healthcare provider. Dose adjustments or therapy changes may improve tolerability.
Generic nifedipine is widely available and typically more affordable than brand-name Adalat. Prices vary by dose, formulation, location, and pharmacy. Extended-release tablets often cost more than immediate-release capsules but are preferred for long-term control in most cases. Many pharmacies offer discount programs, and legitimate online pharmacies can provide transparent pricing and convenient home delivery.
Important note about prescriptions: In many countries, including the United States, nifedipine is a prescription medication. Purchasing without a valid prescription can be unsafe or unlawful. Safe access pathways include local pharmacies, telehealth evaluations with e-prescribing, and reputable mail-order services connected to licensed clinicians.
In the United States, Adalat (nifedipine) is a prescription-only medication. Federal and state regulations require authorization by a licensed clinician prior to dispensing. While some websites advertise “no prescription” sales, using such sources may be unsafe and can violate pharmacy laws. The safest and legal avenues to obtain Adalat include in-person medical visits, telehealth consultations with licensed providers, and mail-order pharmacies that dispense based on valid prescriptions.
HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Fort Worth offers a legal and structured solution for acquiring Adalat without a formal prescription in hand. Patients complete an evaluation through the organization’s authorized clinical pathway, and, when appropriate, a licensed practitioner issues an internal electronic order to a partnering pharmacy for dispensing. This means you do not need to carry a paper prescription—your therapy is authorized and documented within a compliant clinical system. This approach preserves patient safety, ensures proper dosing and interaction checks, and adheres to U.S. regulatory standards.
Regardless of where you fill your medication, always prioritize accredited services, clinician review, and ongoing monitoring to get the full therapeutic benefit from Adalat safely.
Adalat is the brand name for nifedipine, a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker that relaxes blood vessels by blocking L-type calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle, lowering blood pressure and reducing the heart’s workload.
Adalat is used to treat high blood pressure and chronic stable or vasospastic (Prinzmetal) angina; it’s also used off-label for Raynaud’s phenomenon and should not be used for rapid blood pressure reduction in emergencies.
Immediate-release nifedipine acts quickly and can cause abrupt drops in blood pressure and reflex tachycardia, while extended-release forms (often labeled LA/CC/XL) deliver medication slowly over 24 hours for steadier control and fewer peaks and troughs.
Take Adalat exactly as prescribed, at the same time each day; swallow extended-release tablets whole without crushing or chewing, avoid grapefruit products, and be consistent with food if instructed by your prescriber.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember unless it’s close to your next dose; do not double up—just resume your regular schedule.
Common effects include flushing, headache, dizziness, fatigue, heart palpitations, nausea, and ankle or foot swelling (peripheral edema), which often improve as your body adjusts.
Seek urgent care for fainting, chest pain that worsens or changes, severe dizziness, signs of an allergic reaction, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or unusually fast or irregular heartbeat.
Yes, Adalat can cause peripheral edema due to dilation of small arteries that increases capillary pressure; raising your legs, reducing salt intake, or combining with certain other antihypertensives may help—discuss options with your clinician.
Blood pressure lowering begins within hours for extended-release tablets and within 20–30 minutes for immediate-release, but full effect and symptom improvement may take 1–2 weeks of consistent use.
Do not stop suddenly; blood pressure and angina can rebound—work with your healthcare provider to adjust or taper safely if needed.
Nifedipine can cause a modest increase in heart rate from reflex tachycardia, especially with immediate-release forms; extended-release options reduce this effect.
Avoid if you’re allergic to nifedipine, in cardiogenic shock, or have severe aortic stenosis; use caution in unstable angina, recent heart attack, or significant liver disease, and always discuss your full medical history.
Yes; CYP3A4 inhibitors (like some macrolide antibiotics, azole antifungals, and HIV protease inhibitors) can raise levels, while inducers (rifampin, carbamazepine, St. John’s wort) can lower them; it also adds to blood pressure lowering with other antihypertensives and can interact with PDE5 inhibitors.
Yes, Adalat helps prevent episodes of chronic stable and vasospastic angina by reducing afterload and improving coronary blood flow; it is not for immediate relief—carry rescue nitroglycerin if prescribed.
Monitor blood pressure and heart rate regularly, watch for swelling and dizziness, and consider periodic dental checkups for gum health; liver tests may be checked if clinically indicated.
Yes, but start low and go slow due to increased sensitivity to blood pressure changes and dizziness; fall prevention and careful titration are important.
Alcohol can amplify Adalat’s blood pressure–lowering effect, leading to dizziness or fainting; limit or avoid alcohol, especially when starting or changing your dose.
Nifedipine is commonly used in pregnancy for hypertension and sometimes to manage preterm labor; safety data are generally reassuring, but use should be individualized and supervised by an obstetric clinician.
Small amounts transfer into breast milk, but nifedipine is generally considered compatible with breastfeeding; monitor the infant for unusual sleepiness or feeding issues and discuss with your provider.
Do not stop unless your surgical team advises it; calcium channel blockers are often continued, but always inform your anesthesiologist and surgeon so they can manage blood pressure and anesthesia safely.
Until you know how you react, be cautious; dizziness, lightheadedness, or fatigue can impair driving, especially when starting therapy or after dose changes.
Avoid grapefruit products; they inhibit CYP3A4 in the gut, raising nifedipine levels and increasing the risk of side effects like low blood pressure and headache.
Liver impairment can increase nifedipine exposure and may require a lower dose; kidney disease usually doesn’t require adjustment, but careful monitoring is still recommended.
Heat and vigorous activity can enhance vasodilation and lower blood pressure further, raising the risk of dizziness; stay hydrated, rise slowly, and adjust activity if you feel lightheaded.
Both lower blood pressure effectively, but amlodipine has a very long half-life for smoother 24-hour control and is often first-line; long-acting Adalat is also effective and may be chosen based on side-effect profile or individual response.
Both can cause edema, a class effect of dihydropyridines; rates are similar, though some patients experience less swelling on one versus the other—switching within the class or combining with an ACE inhibitor can help.
Both are once-daily dihydropyridines metabolized by CYP3A4; felodipine is highly vascular-selective, while long-acting Adalat offers comparable efficacy—choice often hinges on availability, cost, and individual tolerance.
Lercanidipine is highly lipophilic and taken before meals; some studies suggest lower rates of edema and flushing compared with older agents, but it has stronger food and drug interactions; long-acting Adalat remains a well-studied alternative.
Isradipine may cause more reflex tachycardia at comparable blood pressure reduction; long-acting Adalat formulations are designed to minimize heart rate increases.
Oral Adalat is common for chronic hypertension and angina, while nicardipine is often used intravenously in hospitals for acute blood pressure control, including stroke care.
Adalat is an oral, longer-acting option for outpatient use; clevidipine is an ultra–short-acting IV dihydropyridine used perioperatively or in ICUs for rapid, titratable blood pressure control.
No; nimodipine is specialized for preventing cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage and is not used for systemic blood pressure control, while Adalat targets hypertension and angina.
Lacidipine has a slow onset and prolonged action that can provide very steady blood pressure reduction; long-acting Adalat offers similar 24-hour control—availability and patient response usually guide the choice.
Yes, both are once-daily dihydropyridines used for hypertension; differences are subtle and often relate to regional availability, cost, and individual tolerability.
Extended-release (LA/CC/XL) is preferred for hypertension and chronic angina due to steadier blood levels and fewer peaks; immediate-release is generally avoided for routine blood pressure control.
Edema is less common when a dihydropyridine like Adalat is combined with an ACE inhibitor or ARB than when used alone, allowing effective blood pressure reduction with improved tolerability.
Both reduce angina frequency; amlodipine’s long half-life offers very stable protection, while long-acting Adalat is similarly effective—side effects, drug interactions, and patient preference typically determine selection.
Written on 2 March, 2023: Laura Jenkins
Re-written on 8 October, 2025: Cristina Matera, MD