LACIDIPINE

Posology Adults The treatment of hypertension should be adapted to the severity of the condition, and according to the individual response. The recommended initial dose is 2 mg once daily. The dose may be increased to 4 mg (and then, if necessary, to 6 mg) after adequate time has been allowed for the full pharmacological effect to occur.

In practice, this should not be less than 3 to 4 weeks. Daily doses above 6 mg have not been shown to be significantly more effective. Lacidipine should be taken at the same time each day, preferably in the morning. Treatment with lacidipine may be continued indefinitely.

Patients with hepatic impairment Lacidipine is metabolised primarily by the liver and therefore in patients with hepatic impairment the bioavailability of lacidipine may be increased and the hypotensive effect enhanced. These patients should be carefully monitored, and in severe cases, a dose reduction may be necessary.

Patients with kidney disease As lacidipine is not cleared by the kidneys, the dose does not require modification in patients with kidney disease. Paediatric population The safety and efficacy of lacidipine in children and adolescents aged below 18 has not been established.

No data are available. Method of administration For oral administration.

Lacidipine is generally well tolerated. Some individuals may experience minor side effects which are related to its known pharmacological action of peripheral vasodilation. Such effects, indicated by a hash (#), are usually transient and usually disappear with continued administration of lacidipine at the same dosage.

Very common (≥1/10) Common (≥1/100 to <1/10) Uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100) Rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1000) Very rare (<1/10,000) Not know n (cann ot be estima ted from the availa ble data) Psychiatric disorders Depression Nervous system disorders Dizziness#, Headache# Tremor Cardiac disorders Palpitations#, Tachycardia Syncope, Angina pectoris Vascular disorders Flushing# Hypotension Gastrointestinal disorders Abdominal discomfort, Nausea Gingival hyperplasia Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders Rash, Erythema, Pruritus Angioedema, Urticaria Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders Muscle cramps Renal and urinary disorders Polyuria General disorders and administration site conditions Asthenia, Oedema# Investigations Blood alkaline phosphatase increased As with other dihydropyridines aggravation of underlying angina pectoris has been reported in a small number of individuals, especially at the start of treatment.

This is more likely to happen in patients with symptomatic ischaemic heart disease. Lacidipine should be discontinued under medical supervision in patients who develop unstable angina.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions in UK:

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. uk/yellowcard.

In specialised studies lacidipine has been shown not to affect the spontaneous function of the SA node or to cause prolonged conduction within the AV node. However, the theoretical potential for a calcium antagonist to affect the activity of the SA and AV nodes should be noted, and therefore lacidipine should be used with caution in patients with pre-existing abnormalities in the activity of the SA and AV nodes.

As has been reported with other dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonists, lacidipine should be used with caution in patients with congenital or documented acquired QT prolongation. g. g. terfenadine). As with other calcium antagonists, lacidipine should be used with caution in patients with poor cardiac reserve.

There is no evidence that lacidipine is useful for secondary prevention of myocardial infarction. The efficacy and safety of lacidipine in the treatment of malignant hypertension has not been established. Lacidipine should be used with caution in patients with impaired liver function because antihypertensive effect may be increased.

There is no evidence that lacidipine impairs glucose tolerance or alters diabetic control. This product contains lactose. Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, total lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine.

1. Lacidipine should only be used with great care in patients with a previous allergic reaction to another dihydropyridine because there is a theoretical risk of cross-reactivity. As with other calcium antagonists, lacidipine should be discontinued in patients who develop cardiogenic shock and unstable angina.

In addition, dihydropyridines have been shown to reduce coronary arterial blood-flow in patients with aortic stenosis and in such patients lacidipine is contraindicated. Lacidipine should not be used during or within one month of a myocardial infarction.

4) the use of the product is contraindicated.