GP and surgeon, Dr Shane Charles (MBBS, MRCS, PgDip SEM) provides a simple explanation of the medication below:

'Felodipine (Folpik XL) is a medication used to treat high blood pressure that works by blocking calcium channels. '.

If you think Felodipine is a treatment that can help you, start an online consultation now for a registered prescriber to review. If treatment is deemed suitable, they can prescribe it, and we can deliver it to you from the comfort of your own home with a range of convenient delivery and payment options for you to choose from. If you have any questions about a medication, you should always consult your doctor with any questions prior to starting treatment, to ensure that it is safe and suitable for you.

Folpik XL

Felodipine (Folpik XL) is a medicine that belongs to a group called calcium antagonists, used to treat high blood pressure and a chest pain known as angina.

For more information on the prescription medication patients should refer to the Felodipine SR patient information leaflet.

When treating high blood pressure, Felodipine works by relaxing the blood vessels, allowing blood to pass through them more easily. In the treatment of angina, this medication works by improving blood supply to the heart so it can receive more oxygen and relieve pain.

High blood pressure (also known as hypertension) or angina can be linked to a number of factors, such as a family history, a diet high in salt or being overweight or inactive.

In addition to some lifestyle changes (such as smoking and/or drinking less and exercising more), it’s often advised to take medication, such as Felodipine, to manage the conditions in order to prevent more serious ailments such as stroke, heart attack or blood clots.

Felodipine Tablets

Felodipine is a prescription-only medication. Always follow the advice of your doctor and read the patient information leaflet provided in the medication packet.

Take felodipine (Folpik XL) tablets by swallowing whole with a drink of water, before food or after a light meal (not high in fat or carbohydrates). You should take it at the same time of day, and you should not take Felodipine with grapefruit juice.

Felodipine Dose

Felodipine contains the active ingredient felodipine, in strengths of either 2.5mg, 5mg or 10mg per tablet.

The normal dose is one 5mg tablet a day, however your doctor may decide to increase this to 10mg if they feel you need it. If you have liver problems or are elderly, then your doctor may start you off on a slightly lower dose.

If you forget to take your Felodipine tablet then you should skip the forgotten dose and move straight onto the next one. Don’t worry but don’t double up on your dose to make up for a missed one.

If you take more Felodipine than you should, then go to your nearest emergency department immediately. An overdose can have symptoms such as extreme dizziness, problems with breathing or feeling weak so lying down with your arms and legs up is advised.

Felodipine Side Effects

Before taking Felodipine, you should always first consult your doctor. You should not take Felodipine if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant
• if you are allergic to felodipine or any of the other ingredients of this medicine
• if you suffer from uncompensated heart failure
• if you have acute myocardial infarction (heart attack)
• if you have chest pain, or angina that is lasting for more than 15 minutes or is more severe than usual
• if you have disease of a heart valve or heart muscle

Your prescription of Felodipine may also be affected by a number of other factors, so you should make your doctor aware if any of the following apply:

• have liver problems
• have low blood pressure

Like many medications with active ingredients, Felodipine can affect or be affected by other medicines. Particular medications that you may experience this with include the following:

• cimetidine (medicine to treat gastric ulcers)
• erythromycin (medicine to treat infections)
• itraconazole (medicine to treat fungi)
• ketoconazole (medicine to treat fungi)
• medicines to treat HIV infection
• phenytoin (medicine to treat epilepsy)
• carbamazepine (medicine to treat epilepsy)
• rifampicin (medicine to treat infections)
• barbiturates (medicine to treat anxiety, sleeping problems and epilepsy)
• tacrolimus (medicine used in organ transplantations)
• St John’s wort (herbal product)

If you are taking any of the above medications, then you should make your doctor aware so that they can advise whether or not Felodipine will be the best course of action for you.

Like with all sufferers of high blood pressure or angina, you should pair your medication with some lifestyle changes such as eating healthily, exercising regularly and avoiding excessive smoking or drinking.

You should stay away from grapefruit and grapefruit juice while on Felodipine, as it’s been proven to interact with the medication and can lower your blood pressure too much. Felodipine can also cause swollen gums so ensure to practice good oral hygiene to prevent this.

The most common side effects of using Felodipine include:

• Ankle swelling
• Headache
• Flushing
• Abnormally rapid heart rate
• Palpitations
• Too low blood pressure
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Burning/prickling/numbness
• Rash or itching
• Fatigue
• Dizziness

If you do experience one or more of these side effects and they persist or worsen, then inform your doctor right away. You should also contact your doctor if you notice any serious side effects, such as lumps on the skin, difficulty swallowing or swelling of the face.

You can safely buy Felodipine online at UK Meds. You will first need to have an online consultation with a pharmacist independent prescriber before your order will be supplied. The online consultation will ensure that Felodipine (Folpik XL) is the right medication for your medical condition.

More Information

• What is Amlodipine?
• Understanding Blood Pressure Readings
• How to Check Blood Pressure From Home
• How Can I Reduce My Blood Pressure?