“Nifedipine” during pregnancy: instructions for use

One drug that is frequently prescribed during pregnancy to treat certain medical conditions is nifedipine. Most frequently, it is used to prevent preterm labor or regulate high blood pressure. Despite its widespread use, it’s crucial to know how to take it safely, particularly if you’re expecting a child.

Like all drugs, nifedipine has advantages and disadvantages. Expectant mothers can make more informed decisions with their healthcare providers if they are aware of when and how to use it. Taking Nifedipine while pregnant is explained in detail and with clarity in this guide.

Pregnant women who possess the necessary information can feel more confident in their ability to take care of their health and that of their unborn child. Let’s examine the effects of nifedipine, the ideal dosage, and usage considerations.

Pregnant women are frequently prescribed nifedipine to control high blood pressure or avoid premature labor. It is a helpful treatment in some circumstances because it relaxes blood vessels and lessens contractions. To guarantee the safety of the mother and child, dosage and timing are crucial, so using it should always be done under medical supervision. This guide outlines important safety measures to take into account and gives precise instructions on how to use nifedipine during pregnancy.

Features of the drug and its action

"Nifedipine" is produced by several pharmaceutical companies in the form of tablets. They are sold in blisters and polymer jars of 10, 20 or more pieces. One tablet contains 10 mg of the active substance, which is also called nifedipine. Auxiliary components of the drug are talc, gelatin, cellulose, lactose and other compounds, due to which the tablet is dense (different manufacturers have different lists of these components). The drug belongs to calcium channel blockers, since this is its main mechanism of action, due to which calcium enters smooth muscle cells more slowly. The effect on such cells in the vascular walls will result in a decrease in vascular tone, which leads to a hypotensive effect and dilation of the arteries. The antianginal effect of Nifedipine is due to its effect on cardiomyocytes and coronary vessels.

The medication is used for tocolysis, or the suppression of contractions if they start earlier than expected, during pregnancy because of the active ingredient’s demand-generating effect on the uterine smooth muscles. When taking nifedipine, the myometrium’s basal tone lowers and contraction frequency and amplitude rapidly decrease.

When it is prescribed to expectant mothers?

When there is a chance of a premature birth, nifedipine use during pregnancy is frequently required. A premature birth is defined as one that occurs between 28 and 37 weeks of gestation, at which point the baby’s lungs are still developing and the fetus has not gained the necessary weight to support itself. Doctors attempt to stop contractions with medication during this time because giving birth during this period is associated with serious pathologies and even the baby’s death. Furthermore, "Nifedipine" has demonstrated its efficacy as a tocolytic and has caused side effects far less frequently than alternative methods of relaxing the uterine lining.

When an expectant mother exhibits preeclamptic symptoms and high blood pressure, this type of medication is frequently chosen.

Is it allowed during pregnancy?

In the annotation to the tablets, you can read that "Nifedipine" is prohibited during the period of bearing a child. However, both in our country and abroad, this drug has been used during pregnancy for several decades. It is classified as category C, since in the early stages it can provoke developmental disorders of the embryo (side effects were identified in animals). Therefore, in the 1st trimester, "Nifedipine" is not prescribed to pregnant women. The drug is allowed to be used during pregnancy not earlier than the 16th week, when the risk of exposure to the fetus decreases. There are no studies on the effect of such a drug on pregnant women, but the expected benefits of "Nifedipine" may, despite all the risks, justify the use of such a drug. Foreign doctors recognize the benefits of using "Nifedipine" for pregnant women who have abnormalities in the cardiovascular system.

• the appearance of congenital pathologies in the fetus;
• retardation in development and growth;
• impaired functions of the child"s internal organs;
• fading pregnancy.

When the goal is to maintain the pregnancy, the prescription of "Nifedipine" is appropriate because after weeks 16 and 17, drugs do not pose the same significant risk to the unborn child as they did in the first trimester. The risk of a frozen pregnancy rises when there is hypertonicity, as the fetus may experience hypoxia.

Therefore, it’s critical to contact a doctor right away if you experience abdominal cramps or see bloody discharge. Afterwards, a specialist will examine the woman and determine her current state. This medication will be prescribed if "Nifedipine" treatment proves beneficial.

Contraindications

Not only is it forbidden to use "Nifedipine" during the first trimester of pregnancy, but it is also forbidden in circumstances like:

• If the expectant mother has reduced blood pressure (with hypotension with systolic pressure indicators below 90 mm Hg. Art.);
• if a woman is diagnosed with severe heart disease that has led to heart failure;
• if the patient has aortic stenosis;
• if the woman does not tolerate "Nifedipine" or any auxiliary ingredient of the tablets.

If the expectant mother has severe liver or kidney dysfunction, her condition should be closely monitored during treatment.

Only in a hospital is the use of "Nifedipine" acceptable in cases of severe illnesses of these organs; large doses are not advised. In addition to diabetes mellitus, hypovolemia, hemodialysis, cerebrovascular accidents, and other issues, it is important to monitor the drug’s reaction.

Side effects

When taking "Nifedipine," the following adverse effects could manifest:

• slight increase in heart rate;
• sensation of palpitations;
• reddening of the skin;
• flushing of the face;
• sensation of warmth;
• decreased blood pressure;
• swelling of the extremities;
• increased activity of liver enzymes;
• nausea;
• loose stools;
• heartburn;
• headache;
• skin rash and other allergic reactions.

You should see a doctor right away if you experience any of these side effects or any others. They can decide whether to stop the medication and help you find a suitable substitute.

How to use?

The drug comes with usage instructions, but the application strategy, single dosage, frequency of tableting, and length of treatment are all set individually. The woman’s medical history, current state, the length of her pregnancy, and the existence of concurrent pathologies are all considered by the doctor. It is strictly forbidden to start taking "Nifedipine" on your own, alter the dosage arbitrarily, or stop taking the medication altogether because doing so could have permanent effects on the unborn child and the expectant mother.

The medication can be taken for a few days or a few weeks. The attending physician decides on the specific treatment plan. The medication is taken orally with plain water after meals. If you have high blood pressure or angina, dissolve the tablet under your tongue. The tablet can be chewed for a quicker therapeutic effect if the medication is swallowed.

Crucial! Since a drop in blood pressure is one of the most frequent side effects of Nifedipine, it is best to remain in a laying position for a while after taking it. Generally speaking, expectant mothers are not too bothered by this side effect because they follow bed rest in the event that their pregnancy is threatened.

The medication should be stopped gradually. Abruptly stopping the medication could result in withdrawal symptoms. Regarding drug interactions, there are several limitations on the use of nifedipin. For instance, if you combine this medication with beta-blockers, it may result in a significant drop in blood pressure or even heart failure. Before beginning treatment, it is important to ascertain whether any medications the pregnant woman is currently taking are compatible with nifedipine.

Reviews

The majority of reviews written by women who were prescribed Nifedipine during pregnancy are positive. The efficacy of the medication in preserving pregnancy is emphasized, particularly in cases where the expectant mother has hypertension. Its availability and low cost are among its benefits, while side effects are typically listed as a drawback.

When recommended by a medical professional, nifedipine can be a helpful medication during pregnancy. Although it is frequently used to control high blood pressure and avoid preterm labor, its use needs to be constantly closely observed.

As with any medication, there are possible risks and side effects, so it’s critical that expectant mothers carefully follow their doctor’s instructions. To guarantee the safety of mother and child, it is imperative to discuss any concerns with a healthcare provider.

Recall that taking medication by yourself while pregnant is never recommended. For the greatest choice regarding your health and the health of your child, you should always rely on the advice of a medical professional.

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