Lercanidipine Hydrochloride

What are Lercanidipine Hydrochloride tablets?

Lercanidipine is an antihypertensive medicine, belonging to the dihydropyridine class of drugs known as calcium channel blockers (CCI).

Lercanidipine tablets are primarily used to lower blood pressure, but they also help to prevent other complications such as heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes.

You must have a prescription to buy Lercanidipine tablets.

What is Lercanidipine Hydrochloride used for?

Lercanidipine is one of the most widely prescribed medications to treat high blood pressure.

Lercanidipine is are a very effective once-daily high blood pressure medicine. It is particularly successful at treating individuals with mild to moderate hypertension.

Calcium channel blockers can be used for several conditions ranging from hypertension, coronary spasm, angina pectoris, coronary artery disease, arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) and circulatory conditions such as Raynaud's disease.

If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to damage of the blood vessels, heart attack or stroke.

Why is Lercanidipine Hydrochloride recommended for high blood pressure?

Clinical studies found that Lercanidipine Hydrochloride is a highly effective medicine for controlling blood pressure levels. 

Furthermore, this medication is well-tolerated, which means you are unlikely to suffer from any serious side effects while taking it. 

How does Lercanidipine Hydrochloride work?

Calcium channel blockers inhibit the ion channels within the cells of the heart and blood vessels. Ion channels are responsible for absorbing calcium into the cells of different body tissues. 

In high blood pressure, blood vessels need calcium in order to restrict and contract, this forces more pressure on the heart and causes it to work harder to effectively pump blood around your body.

By inhibiting the ion channels, calcium channel blockers such as Lercanidipine reduce the absorption of calcium through the ion channels and allow your blood vessels to relax and widen, and as a result, lower blood pressure. 

Who can take Lercanidipine Hydrochloride?

Lercanidipine should not be taken by children, it is only suitable for adults over the age of 18.

However, this drug is not suitable for all adults, and you are advised to inform your doctor before you start taking Lercanidipine if any of the below apply to you:

• You have liver or kidney disease
• You have heart disease or have recently had a heart attack
• You have had an allergic reaction to Lercanidipine or any other medicines
• You are pregnant or are trying to get pregnant
• You are breastfeeding
• You are currently taking any other medication (prescription or non-prescription) or herbal remedies
• You suffer from diabetes mellitus
• You have a weak immune system
• You suffer from sinus syndrome

You are not advised to drink alcohol when taking Lercanidipine.

Can you buy Lercanipide Hydrochloride tablets over the counter?

No, this medicine is only available to buy when it has been prescribed for you by a doctor. It cannot be bought over the counter. 

Can you buy Lercanidipine Hydrochloride tablets online in the UK?

You can buy Lercanidipine 10mg and 20mg tablets online from most UK online pharmacies that specialise in high blood pressure management. To buy lercanidipine online you will need to complete an online consultation that will be reviewed by a doctor or healthcare professional to assess your condition to ensure the treatment is best suited for your condition.

Lercanipide Hydrochloride Alternatives

You can buy a range of different high blood pressure medications online at Medicine Direct. Once an online consultation has been completed with one of our certified prescribers, they may recommend one of the following medicines:

• Losartan
• Amlodipine
• Bisoprolol Fumarate
• Lisinopril
• Bendroflumethiazide

Lercanidipine Dosage Instructions

This high blood pressure treatment is available in two different strengths, 10mg and 20mg.

Our pharmacist and prescribers follow NICE prescribing guidelines when prescribing Lercanidipine.

The dose you are prescribed will largely depend on your diagnosis and condition.

How to take Lercanidipine tablets

Swallow Lercanidipine whole with a glass of water.

You can take Lercanidipine at any time of day, although you should try to take it at around the same time every day.

Patients are advised to take the medicine fifteen minutes before eating a meal; fatty food can increase how much of this drug your body takes in, making you more susceptible to side effects.

You should also avoid drinking grapefruit juice or eating grapefruit products while taking this medicine as this could increase the concentration of Lercanidipine in your body and cause you to suffer adverse effects of the drug.

Lercanidipine Side Effects

Not everyone will experience an adverse effect to Lercanidipine Hydrochloride; if you do suffer any reactions, these often improve as your body gets used to the medicine.

Common adverse reactions to this medicine include:

• Flushing
• Headaches
• Coughing
• Dizziness
• Swollen ankles
• A pounding heartbeat

If any of these effects bother you or persist for more than a few days, you are advised to seek medical help as quickly as possible.

Serious side effects include:

• Vomiting and dizziness
• Swelling on hands, legs and feet
• Severe headaches such as a migraine
• Burning in the chest
• Insomnia
• Irritation to the skin

If you experience chest pains, you should call 111 or 999 immediately as this could be the symptoms of a heart attack.

Always read the patient information leaflet that accompanies your medication for information on side effects.

Lercanidipine Warnings and Drug Interactions

Lercanidipine is slower acting than older forms of dihydropyridines. While it has fewer adverse effects than most, it does have a relatively high risk of interacting with other drugs. It can interfere with the way certain medicines work.

Before you begin using this drug, you should inform your doctor if you are already taking any other blood pressure medicines, such as lisinopril or ramipril; combining these medications can have the effect of lowering your blood pressure too much.

If your blood pressure is lowered too much, it may result in your feeling dizzy or faint. If this feeling persists, you should seek medical attention as it may mean your dose needs to be changed.

If you are already taking any of these medicines, you should inform your doctor before you use Lercanidipine:

• Medicines used to aid breathing, such as aminophylline or theophylline
• Medicines used to treat HIV
• The antibiotic erythromycin
• Ciclosporin (a medicine used to prevent the immune system from overreacting)
• The antifungal treatment itraconazole
• Heart medicines such as digoxin
• Epilepsy medicines, including carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital (phenobarbitone) or primidone

While there is little information available about using supplements and herbal remedies while using this medicine, you should still speak to your doctor or pharmacist before using any herbal or alternative remedies alongside Lercanidipine.

See the NICE website for more information on drug interactions when taking Lercanidipine.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

There is no evidence or data to suggest that Lercanidipine should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, there is information relating to other calcium channel blockers tga show that they are not harmful when used during pregnancy.

Always speak to your doctor about taking this medication. Your doctor will assess the benefits and risks of taking Lercanidipine during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Learn more about taking Lercanidipine during pregnancy and breastfeeding on the BUMPS website. 

Lercanidipine Ingredients

The main active ingredient within this medicine is: Lercanidipine hydrochloride

For a full list of the inactive ingredients, please read the Summary of Product Characteristics.

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