Table of Contents

  COMPARISON OF DIHYDROPYRIDINE CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS

 

Drug

 

Initial Dose

 

Maximum daily dose

 

Comments

 
Nifedipine1
(Adalat XL,
Adalat PA®)
 

 
XL: 30mg OD
PA: 20mg BID

 
120mg


Nifedipine immediate release should not be used on a regular basis due to risk of sudden hypotension, MI, death

 
Nicardipine(Cardene®)
 

 
20mg tid

 
120mg

 

 
Felodipine2(Plendil®)
 

 
2.5-5mg OD

 
10mg

 


Amlodipine1,2(Norvasc®)
 

 
2.5mg OD

 
10mg

 

     1 formulary drug
   2 Therapeutic Interchange Program converts felodipine to amlodipine in a 1:1 ratio.