Felodipine

Question 1

What is felodipine?

Answer 1

Long acting 1,4-dihydropyridie Ca channel blocker which acts primarily on vascular smooth muscle

Question 2

What class of drugs does felodipine belong to?

Answer 2

pyridines and derivatives

antihypertensive agents

Question 3

what are drugs belong to the same class as felodipine?

Answer 3

nifedipine
amlodipine
clonidine
isradipine

Question 4

What is felodipine indicated for?

Answer 4

hypertension

prophylaxis of angina

Question 5

What is the dose of felodipine given?

Answer 5

HT: oral initially 5mg (e.5mg if elderly) daily in the morning. The usual maintenance is 5-10mg OD

Angina: oral. initially 5mg daily in the morning increased if necessary to 10mg OD

Question 6

What is the mechanism of action of felodipine?

Answer 6

Felodipine decreases arterial smooth muscle contractiliy and subsequent vasoconstriction. It inhibits influx of Ca ions through V gated L type calcium channels.

Question 7

What is the relevant PK and PD parameters of felodipine?

Answer 7

PK: completly absorbed from GIT
Extensive FPM results in low systemic availability.

Bioavailability unaffected by food.

Hepatically metabolised primarily by CYP3A4

Half life: 17.5-31.5 hours