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

'Lercanidipine (Lercanidipine Hydrochloride) is a medication used to treat high blood pressure that works by blocking calcium channels. '.

If you think Lercanidipine 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.

Lercanidipine Hydrochloride

Lercanidipine is a prescription medicine to treat high blood pressure. Although people with high blood pressure often do not feel ill, it left untreated, high blood pressure can harm the heart and damage blood vessels, leading to a stroke or a heart attack.

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

Lercanidipine belongs to the group of medicines known as calcium blockers that block the entry of calcium into the muscle cells of the heart and the blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart. The entry of calcium into these cells causes the heart to contract and arteries to narrow. By blocking the entry of calcium, calcium channel blockers decrease contraction of the heart and dilate or widen the arteries, and the blood pressure is reduced.

The main benefit of taking Lercanidipine is its ability to lower high blood pressure. Lercanidipine is a calcium blocker that prevents the entry of calcium into the muscles of the heart and arteries, decreasing the contraction of the heart and dilating the arteries to reduce the blood pressure.

Lercanidipine Tablets

Before you start taking Lercanidipine, read the product information leaflet that is provided by your pharmacist when you fill up the prescription. It will give you more information about this product.

Lercanidipine is available in two strengths: 10 mg and 20 mg. the usual starting dose is 10 mg taken by mouth once daily. When it becomes necessary, your doctor may increase your dose after a few weeks to 20 mg taken by mouth daily. Take this medicine exactly as instructed by your doctor.

Your doctor will likely advise you to take your dose of this medicine in the morning before your breakfast. Taking your medicine at approximately the same time each day will give you a routine that will remind you to remember to take your doses regularly.

Swallow the Lercanidipine tablet with a glass of water. You should take this medication when your stomach is empty, about 30 minutes before a meal. The reason for this is that fatty food can increase the amount of lercanidipine your body absorbs, which could result in experiencing side effects.

If you forget to take a dose, and you do not remember until the following day, just leave out the missed dose. Taking a double dose to make up for the missed dose is not recommended.

Lercanidipine 10mg

The usual starting dose of Lercanidipine is one 10 mg tablet once daily.

Lercanidipine 20mg

When needed, your doctor can increase your dose to one 20 mg tablet once daily after a few weeks.

Lercanidipine Side Effects

Along with the useful effects of Lercanidipine, this medicine can also cause unwanted side effects although not everyone who takes the medicine experiences them.

The following are the uncommon side effects of Lercanidipine:

• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Flushing
• Faster than normal heartbeat
• Swollen arms, wrists, legs, or ankles
• Awareness of your heartbeat

The following are the rare side effects of Lercanidipine:

• Skin rash
• Drowsiness
• Fatigue
• Increased need to urinate
• Difficulty in breathing
• Disturbances of the gut, such as vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea, indigestion, and abdominal pain
• A general feeling of being unwell
• Chest pain

The following are the very rare side effects of Lercanidipine:

• Alteration in the results of liver function tests
• Increased urinary frequency
• Hypotension
• Mild swelling of the gums

Report to your doctor if you experience any other side effects that you believe to be associated with your use of Lercanidipine.

Weariness and dizziness may occasionally occur while taking this product. If you are affected, you should be extra careful when driving or operating machinery.

Avoid drinking grapefruit juice because it can increase the level of isradipine in your blood, which could increase its effect on your blood pressure and make you feel dizzy. It could also increase the risk of experiencing other side effects.

This product should be used with caution in the following:

• Elderly people
• Those with chronic heart failure
• Those with decreased kidney function
• Those with decreased liver function
• Those sick with sinus syndrome
• Those with narrowing of the main artery coming from the heart.

Lercanidipine should not be used in the following:

• People allergic to other related calcium channel blockers
• Children or adolescents under the age of 18
• Heart failure
• Angina that increases in severity
• Failure of the heart to maintain adequate circulation of blood
• People who are having a heart attack
• People with hereditary blood disorders called porphyrias

Lercanidipine should not be used during pregnancy because it may be harmful to the fetus. Talk to your doctor and ask for further medical advice if you are pregnant and are suffering from high blood pressure.

This medicine may pass into breast milk in small amounts. The effects of the drug on the nursing infant are not known. This medicine is not recommended to be taken when one is breastfeeding. Ask your doctor for advice.

Share with your doctor a list of all the medications you are currently taking before you start taking this medicine. Check first with your doctor before you start taking a new medication while taking Lercanidipine to make sure that the combination is safe.

This product should not be taken with other medicines that decrease blood pressure.

You can safely buy Lercanidipine online at UK Meds. You will need to have first an online consultation with a pharmacist independent prescriber before your order will be supplied. The online consultation will ensure that Lercanidipine Hydrochloride 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?