Generic Plendil is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and heart and chest pain brought on, by exercise or stress (known as angina pectoris

Generic Plendil works by slowing the movement of calcium through the muscle cells that are found in the walls of blood vessels. Generic Plendil acts specifically on the muscle cells in the walls of small arteries (arterioles). Generic Plendil slows calcium movement by blocking \'calcium channels\' in these muscle cells. Calcium is needed by muscle cells in order for them to contract, so Generic Plendil causes the muscle in the walls of the small arteries to relax. This widens the small arteries in the body, an effect that has two uses.

The relaxing and widening of the small arteries in the body decreases the resistance that the heart has to push against in order to pump the blood around the body. This reduces blood pressure. Generic Plendil can therefore be used to treat high blood pressure.
The widening effect on the small arteries also improves the blood and therefore oxygen supply to the heart. This feature means Generic Plendil can be used to treat angina. The chest pain of angina is caused by insufficient oxygen supply to the heart. As Generic Plendil improves this oxygen supply, and also reduces the effort the heart has to make to pump blood, Generic Plendil can be used to prevent angina attacks.

Do not take Generic Plendil with grapefruit juice, as grapefruit juice tends to increase the effects of Generic Plendil.

Adults
Your doctor will adjust the dose according to your response to the drug.

The usual starting dose of Generic Plendil is 5 milligrams once a day; your doctor will adjust the dose at intervals of not less than 2 weeks.

The usual dose range of Generic Plendil is 2.5 to 10 milligrams once daily.

Children
The safety and effectiveness of Generic Plendil in children has not been established.

Older adults
If you are over 65 years of age, your doctor will start treatment with a dose of 2.5 milligrams of Generic Plendil once a day and will monitor your blood pressure closely during dosage adjustment.
People with liver problems usually require lower dose of Generic Plendil and are carefully monitored while the dose is adjusted.

If you miss a Generic Plendil dose
If you miss a dose of Generic Plendil, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses of Generic Plendil.

Generic Plendil Overdose
Generic Plendil overdose can lead to serious consequences. Seek medical help immediately.

Symptoms of Generic Plendil overdose include

• severely low blood pressure
• slow heartbeat

Generic Plendil Storage instructions
Keep Generic Plendil out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store Generic Plendil at room temperature below 30 degrees C (86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Protect from light. Throw away any unused Generic Plendil after the expiration date.

Generic Plendil Preparations:
Tablets - Generic Plendil 2.5mg - 24 hour
Generic Plendil 5mg - 24 hour
Generic Plendil 10mg - 24 hour

The amount of Generic Plendil in the blood is decreased by the following medicines:

• phenytoin
• carbamazapine
• phenobarbital (phenobarbitone).
  Your doctor may increase your Generic Plendil dose because of this.

The amount of Generic Plendil in the blood may be increased by the following medicines:

• erythromycin
• itraconazole
• cimetidine.

Your doctor may decrease your Generic Plendil dose if you take any of these medicines Generic Plendil may increase the blood level of Tacrolimus. If these medicines are taken together your doctor may need to adjust your Tacrolimus dose.

Generic Plendil precautions if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
Generic Plendil should not be used during pregnancy as it may be harmful to the unborn baby. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
Generic Plendil passes into breast milk in small amounts. The effect on the baby is not known. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Special warnings about Generic Plendil
It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to make sure Generic Plendil is working properly and to change the dosage if needed.

If you have been using Generic Plendil regularly for several weeks, do not suddenly stop using it. Stopping suddenly may bring on your previous problem. Check with your doctor for the best way to reduce gradually the amount you are taking before stopping completely.

Chest pain resulting from exercise or physical exertion is usually reduced or prevented by Generic Plendil. This may tempt you to be overly active. Make sure you discuss with your doctor a safe amount of exercise for your medical problem.

After taking a dose of Generic Plendil you may get a headache that lasts for a short time. This should become less noticeable after you have taken Generic Plendil for a while. If this effect continues or if the headaches are severe, check with your doctor.

In some patients, tenderness, swelling, or bleeding of the gums may appear soon after treatment with Generic Plendil is started. Brushing and flossing your teeth carefully and regularly and massaging your gums may help prevent this. See your dentist regularly to have your teeth cleaned. Check with your medical doctor or dentist if you have any questions about how to take care of your teeth and gums, or if you notice any tenderness, swelling, or bleeding of your gums.

Why Generic Plendil should not be prescribed?
Generic Plendil should not be used if you are allergic to its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.

If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using Generic Plendil and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately. If you have an allergic reaction, you may get a skin rash, hay fever, difficulty with breathing or feel faint.

Generic Plendil should not be used if you have any of these medical conditions:

• heart problems (i.e. uncompensated heart failure, acute heart attack)
• angina which has lasted without interruption for 15 minutes or longer and is more severe than usual.

More common side effects of Generic Plendil may include:

• flushing,
• headache,
• swelling of the legs and feet

Less common side effects of Generic Plendil may include:

• anemia,
• angina pectoris (chest pain),
• ankle pain,
• anxiety disorders,
• arm pain, arthritis,
• back pain,
• blurred vision,
• breast enlargement,
• bronchitis,
• bruising,
• constipation,
• cough,
• diarrhea,
• dizziness,
• decreased sex drive,
• depression,
• difficulty in sleeping,
• dry mouth,
• enlarged gums,
• excessive nighttime urination,
• excessive perspiration,
• facial swelling,
• fainting,
• fatigue,
• flu,
• foot pain,
• frequent urination,
• gas,
• muscle pain,
• heart attack,
• hip pain,
• hives,
• impotence,
• inflammation of the nose,
• irregular heartbeat,
• irritability,
• itching,
• joint pain,
• knee pain,
• leg pain,
• low blood pressure,
• nausea,
• neck pain,
• nervousness,
• nosebleeds,
• painful or difficult urination,
• rapid heartbeat,
• rash,
• respiratory infections,
• ringing in the ears,
• shortness of breath,
• shoulder pain,
• sinus inflammation,
• sleepiness,
• sneezing,
• sore throat,
• stomach and intestinal pain,
• tingling sensation,
• tremor,
• urgent urination,
• vomiting,
• warm sensation,
• weakness