Felodipine

The Basics

What is Felodipine?

Used to treat high blood pressure.

Brand names for Felodipine

Plendil

How Felodipine is classified

Antihypertensive Agents, Calcium Channel Blockers, Vasodilator Agents

Felodipine During Pregnancy

Felodipine pregnancy category

Category CNote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Felodipine while pregnant

Teratogenic Effects Studies in pregnant rabbits administered doses of 0.46, 1.2, 2.3, and 4.6 mg/kg/day (from 0.8 to 8 times** the maximum recommended human dose on a mg/m² basis) showed digital anomalies consisting of reduction in size and degree of ossification of the terminal phalanges in the fetuses. The frequency and severity of the changes appeared dose related and were noted even at the lowest dose. These changes have been shown to occur with other members of the dihydropyridine class and are possibly a result of compromised uterine blood flow. Similar fetal anomalies were not observed in rats given felodipine. In a teratology study in cynomolgus monkeys, no reduction in the size of the terminal phalanges was observed, but an abnormal position of the distal phalanges was noted in about 40% of the fetuses. Nonteratogenic Effects A prolongation of parturition with difficult labor and an increased frequency of fetal and early postnatal deaths were observed in rats administered doses of 9.6 mg/kg/day (8 times** the maximum human dose on a mg/m² basis) and above. Significant enlargement of the mammary glands, in excess of the normal enlargement for pregnant rabbits, was found with doses greater than or equal to 1.2 mg/kg/day (2.1 times the maximum human dose on a mg/m² basis). This effect occurred only in pregnant rabbits and regressed during lactation. Similar changes in the mammary glands were not observed in rats or monkeys. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. If felodipine is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, she should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus, possible digital anomalies of the infant, and the potential effects of felodipine on labor and delivery and on the mammary glands of pregnant females.

Taking Felodipine While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Felodipine?

Because no information is available on the use of felodipine during breastfeeding, an alternate drug may be preferred.

Maternal / infant drug levels

Because no information is available on the use of felodipine during breastfeeding, an alternate drug may be preferred.

Possible effects of Felodipine on milk supply

Relevant published informaation was not found.

Possible alternatives to Felodipine

Amlodipine, Nifedipine, Nitrendipine.