Manufacturer: Lupin Ltd
Salt Composition : Lercanidipine(20mg)
Strip of 10 Tablet
(Inclusive of all taxes)
Lervasc 20mg Tablet may be prescribed alone or along with other medicines. The dose depends on your blood pressure levels and the severity of your condition. You can take it at any time of the day, but it is best to take it at the same time each day. It should be taken on an empty stomach, at least 15 minutes before a meal. Keep taking it for as long as advised by your doctor. Even if you feel well, do not stop this medicine on your own because high blood pressure often has no symptoms. If you stop taking it, your condition may get worse.
Keeping active with regular exercise, reducing your weight, and eating a healthy diet will also help control your blood pressure. Follow your doctor’s advice while taking this medicine.
Side effects are rare with this medicine but some people may develop common side effects like fatigue, swelling in the feet or ankles, dizziness, flushing, and headache. Consult your doctor if any of these bother you, or do not go away.
Before taking it, let your doctor know if you have any liver, kidney or heart problems. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not take this medicine as it may be harmful to the developing baby. Let your doctor know about any other medicines you are taking, especially those used to treat high blood pressure or heart conditions. This will help to make sure that you are safe. Limit your alcohol intake while taking this medicine because it can lead to an excessive fall in your blood pressure and make you feel dizzy or light-headed. You should have your blood pressure checked regularly to make sure that this medicine is working properly.
Lervasc 20mg Tablet is a calcium channel blocker. It regulates the blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels and reducing the pressure on them, thereby making it easier for the heart to pump more blood throughout the body. In this way, it treats to normalize the blood pressure in patients with high blood pressure.
Lercanidipine is slowly but completely absorbed from the gut. It has a total bioavailability of 10% due to an extensive first-pass effect, or up to 40% if taken after a fatty meal. Highest blood plasma levels are reached after 1.5 to 3 hours.
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of Lervasc
Dizziness
Edema (swelling)
Fatigue
Flushing (sense of warmth in the face, ears, neck and trunk)
Headache
Palpitations
If you are suffering from any of the following diseases, you should not take Lercanidipine unless your doctor advises you to do so -
Angina
Sinusitis
Low Blood Pressure
Liver Disease
Kidney Disease
Lervasc 20mg Tablet may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
Caution is advised when consuming alcohol with Lervasc 20mg Tablet. Please consult your doctor.
Lervasc 20mg Tablet is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.
Use with caution
Below 9years: Contraindicated
Lercanidipine HCl is indicated in adults for the treatment of mild to moderate essential hypertension. The recommended dosage is 10 mg orally once a day at least 15 minutes before meals; the dose may be increased to 20 mg depending on the individual patient's response.
LERCANIDIPINE is known to interact when taken with other medicines to treat high blood pressure (captopril, enalapril, benazepril, fosinopril), medicines used to treat fast heartbeat (amiodarone, quinidine), a medicine to treat a heart problem (digoxin), anti TB drug (rifampicin), antibiotics (erythromycin, troleandomycin, clarithromycin), antifungal medicines (ketoconazole, itraconazole), antivirals (ritonavir), antiepileptic (carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbitone, primidone), medicines to ease breathing (aminophylline, theophylline).
Do not chew, crush or break it. Lervasc 20mg Tablet is to be taken empty stomach.
Store below 30°C
If you miss a dose of Lervasc 20mg Tablet, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
Take it at the same time every day to help you remember to take it.
A sudden drop in your blood pressure may occur, especially when you first start taking Lervasc 20mg Tablet. To lower the chance of feeling dizzy or passing out, rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down.
It can cause ankle or foot swelling. To reduce the swelling, raise your legs while you are sitting down. Talk to your doctor if it does not go away.
It may cause dizziness. Do not drive or perform any activity that requires mental focus until you know how Lervasc 20mg Tablet affects you.
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Lervasc 20mg Tablet is to be taken empty stomach.
Q. How should Lervasc 20mg Tablet be taken?
Swallow Lervasc 20mg Tablet tablet with a glass of water, do not break, chew or dissolve. Take Lervasc 20mg Tablet on an empty stomach, at least 15 minutes before a meal. This is because fatty food can increase the amount of Lervasc 20mg Tablet in your body and may cause side effects.
Q. How long does it take for Lervasc 20mg Tablet to show its effect?
Lervasc 20mg Tablet starts working on the day you start taking it. However, it may take 2 weeks to notice the full benefits of Lervasc 20mg Tablet. Since there are usually no symptoms of hypertension, you may not notice any difference unless you get your blood pressure checked. Keep taking this medicine regularly as advised by your doctor and keep a track of your blood pressure.
Q. It has been six months since I started taking Lervasc 20mg Tablet and my blood pressure is under control. Can I stop taking it now?
No, continue taking Lervasc 20mg Tablet even if you feel better and your blood pressure is under control. Sudden discontinuation of Lervasc 20mg Tablet may increase your blood pressure, and your chances of stroke or heart attack may rise. Usually, once you start taking any medicine for controlling blood pressure, you have to continue taking it a life long unless you cannot tolerate it.
Q. I have been told that I have to take Lervasc 20mg Tablet for several years. Is it safe to take it for a long time?
Lervasc 20mg Tablet is a blood pressure-lowering medicine. It does not cure hypertension but helps to keep the blood pressure under control for as long as you take it. For this reason, blood pressure-lowering medicines may need to be taken for a long period of time or even life long. Lervasc 20mg Tablet is safe and well tolerated by most people and does not have any lasting toxicity when taken for a long time. For best results, take it exactly as advised by the doctor. Do not stop taking this medicine without consulting your doctor first.
Q. Is it okay to take cyclosporine with Lervasc 20mg Tablet?
No, you should not take cyclosporine with Lervasc 20mg Tablet. The reason being, both the medicines interfere with each other’s working, thereby increasing the risk of getting the side effects of both medicines.
Q. My friend who is taking Lervasc 20mg Tablet is not allowed to take grapefruit or grapefruit juice. Why?
Grapefruit (chakotara) and grapefruit juice should not be consumed while taking Lervasc 20mg Tablet because it may increase the levels of Lervasc 20mg Tablet. This can cause a dip in blood pressure, lightheadedness and your friend may even faint.
Q. Should I restrict alcohol while taking Lervasc 20mg Tablet?
Yes, you should avoid taking alcohol while taking Lervasc 20mg Tablet since your blood pressure may fall further. As a result, you may feel dizzy or develop a headache.
Q. My uncle had once taken excess of Lervasc 20mg Tablet and had to be hospitalized. What can be the symptoms of excess of Lervasc 20mg Tablet and what should be done?
Taking excess of Lervasc 20mg Tablet may cause vomiting, sleepiness, heart attack and drastic fall in blood pressure resulting in fast heartbeat. However, the exact severity of these symptoms will depend on the amount of Lervasc 20mg Tablet ingested by the person. In some cases, it can even lead to unconsciousness. Seek emergency medical care in case of an overdose and depending on the patient's condition, even hospitalization may be required. The patient may need to be monitored for 24-48 hours.
