Plendil Side Effects

Generic Name: felodipine

Note: This page contains side effects data for the generic drug felodipine. It is possible that some of the dosage forms included below may not apply to the brand name Plendil.

For the Consumer

Applies to felodipine: oral tablet extended release

As well as its needed effects, felodipine (the active ingredient contained in Plendil) may cause unwanted side effects that require medical attention.

Major Side Effects

If any of the following side effects occur while taking felodipine, check with your doctor immediately:

• Bloating or swelling of face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
• rapid weight gain
• tingling of hands or feet
• unusual weight gain or loss

• Body aches or pain
• chills
• cough
• difficulty in breathing
• ear congestion
• fever
• headache
• loss of voice
• nasal congestion
• runny nose
• sneezing
• sore throat
• unusual tiredness or weakness

• Blurred vision
• chest pain, tightness, or heaviness
• confusion
• congestion
• cough producing mucus
• diarrhea
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly
• fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• hoarseness
• joint pain
• large, hive-like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• loss of appetite
• muscle aches and pains
• nausea
• pain or discomfort in arms, jaw, back, or neck
• pale skin
• shivering
• shortness of breath
• sweating
• swelling or puffiness of face
• tender or swollen glands in neck
• trouble in swallowing
• trouble sleeping
• troubled breathing with exertion
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• voice changes
• wheezing

If any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking felodipine, get emergency help immediately:

• Feeling of warmth
• redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper chest

Minor Side Effects

Some felodipine side effects may not need any medical attention. As your body gets used to the medicine these side effects may disappear. Your health care professional may be able to help you prevent or reduce these side effects, but do check with them if any of the following side effects continue, or if you are concerned about them:

• Acid or sour stomach
• belching
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• constipation
• heartburn
• indigestion
• lack or loss of strength
• skin rash
• stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

• Bleeding gums
• irritation in mouth
• redness and swelling of gums

• Bloated or full feeling
• bloody nose
• burning while urinating
• decreased interest in sexual intercourse
• difficult or painful urination
• difficulty in moving
• discouragement
• disturbed color perception
• double vision
• dry mouth
• excess air or gas in stomach or intestines
• feeling sad or empty
• fear or nervousness
• frequent strong or increased urge to urinate
• halos around lights
• hives or welts
• inability to have or keep an erection
• increased need to urinate
• increased volume of pale or dilute urine
• irritability
• itching
• loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
• loss of interest or pleasure
• muscle cramps or stiffness
• night blindness
• overbright appearance of lights
• pain or tenderness around eyes and cheekbones
• passing gas
• passing urine more often
• redness of skin
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• sleeplessness
• sores, welting, or blisters
• swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males
• swollen joints
• tiredness
• trouble concentrating
• tunnel vision
• unable to sleep

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to felodipine: oral tablet extended release

General

Side effects of felodipine (the active ingredient contained in Plendil) were generally mild and transient. The most common side effects reported with felodipine given at 2.5 to 10 mg per day were peripheral edema and headache. Therapy was discontinued due to adverse drug events in about 6% of patients, primarily for peripheral edema, headache or flushing.

A dose of 20 mg per day has been evaluated in some clinical trials. Although 20 mg per day increased the antihypertensive effect of felodipine, a disproportionate increase in side effects, especially those associated with vasodilatory effects, was reported.^[Ref]

Other

Peripheral edema was generally mild, but it was age and dose related. It resulted in treatment discontinuation in about 3% of patients.

Other side effects have included peripheral edema (up to 17.4%), flushing (up to 6.9%), asthenia (up to 3.9%), warm sensation (up to 1.5%), chest pain, facial edema, and influenza-like illness.

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects have included headache (up to 14.7%), dizziness (up to 3.7%), paresthesia (up to 1.6%), syncope, insomnia, and somnolence.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects have included palpitation (up to 2.5%), myocardial infarction, hypotension, angina pectoris, arrhythmia, tachycardia, premature beats, and leukocytoclastic vasculitis. A few rare cases of felodipine-induced telangiectasia have been reported.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Gingival hyperplasia has been avoided or has regressed with good dental hygiene.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal side effects have included dyspepsia (up to 3.9%), nausea (up to 1.7%), constipation (1.5%), abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, dry mouth, flatulence, and acid regurgitation. Gingival hyperplasia, usually mild, has been reported in less than 0.5% of patients.^[Ref]

Respiratory

Respiratory side effects have included upper respiratory infection (up to 3.9%), cough (up to 1.7%), rhinorrhea (up to 1.6%), sneezing (up to 1.6%), dyspnea, pharyngitis, bronchitis, influenza, sinusitis, epistaxis, and respiratory infection.

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects have included rash (up to 2%), angioedema, contusion, erythema, and urticaria.

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects have included anemia.

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal side effects have included arthralgia, back pain, leg pain, foot pain, muscle cramps, myalgia, arm pain, knee pain, and hip pain.^[Ref]

Hepatic

Hepatic side effects have included elevated ALT (SGPT) and unspecified serum transaminases.

In clinical studies, one of two episodes of elevated serum transaminases decreased following drug discontinuation; no follow-up was available for the second patient.

Psychiatric

Psychiatric system side effects have included depression, anxiety disorders, irritability, nervousness, and decreased libido.

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects have included gynecomastia, impotence, urinary frequency, urinary urgency, dysuria, and polyuria.

Ocular

Ocular system side effects have included visual disturbances.

It is possible that some side effects of Plendil may not have been reported. These can be reported to the FDA here. Always consult a healthcare professional for medical advice.

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. In addition, the drug information contained herein may be time sensitive and should not be utilized as a reference resource beyond the date hereof. This material does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients, or recommend therapy. This information is a reference resource designed as supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill , knowledge, and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care. The absence of a warning for a given drug or combination thereof in no way should be construed to indicate safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for any given patient. Drugs.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of materials provided. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the substances you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.