Duocard 10 mg
Description
Indications
Duocard is primarily used for the management of hypertension, helping to prevent damage to vital organs caused by high blood pressure. It is especially beneficial for elderly patients, as well as individuals with diabetes or albuminuria. Additionally, this medication is being increasingly recognized for its positive effects on patients with chronic kidney disease.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, occurs when the force of the blood being pumped from the heart creates excessive pressure on the walls of blood vessels, potentially leading to damage.
This medication should only be taken under the guidance of a registered healthcare professional.
Pharmacology
The active ingredient in Duocard, Cilnidipine, is a dihydropyridine calcium-channel blocker. Cilnidipine functions by attaching to specific sites on the L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels, preventing calcium ions from entering vascular smooth muscle cells. This leads to muscle relaxation and vasodilation, which helps lower blood pressure. Additionally, Cilnidipine also blocks calcium influx through N-type voltage-dependent calcium channels in sympathetic nerve cell membranes, reducing the release of norepinephrine from nerve terminals, further aiding in blood pressure reduction. A key advantage of Cilnidipine is its ability to minimize reflexive heart rate increases that may occur after lowering blood pressure.
Dosage & Administration
- Adults: 5-10 mg once daily after breakfast. The maximum recommended dose is 20 mg per day.
- Pediatric Use: The safety of Cilnidipine in children has not been established.
- Elderly Use: Elderly patients may be more sensitive to lower blood pressure, so treatment should begin with the lowest dose of 5 mg.
Always follow the instructions provided by a registered healthcare professional.
Interactions
Duocard may interact with other antihypertensive medications, antipsychotics that induce hypotension, quinidine, carbamazepine, phenytoin, rifampicin, cimetidine, and erythromycin.
Contraindications
Duocard should not be used by individuals who are allergic to Cilnidipine or any of its ingredients. It is also contraindicated for patients with cardiogenic shock, recent myocardial infarction (MI), acute unstable angina, or severe aortic stenosis.
Side Effects
Common side effects of Duocard include:
- Dizziness
- Flushing
- Headache
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)
- Peripheral edema (swelling in the limbs)
- Palpitations (irregular heartbeat)
- Gastrointestinal disturbances
- Increased frequency of urination
- Lethargy (feeling of tiredness)
- Eye pain
- Depression
Pregnancy & Lactation
Cilnidipine should not be used during pregnancy or by women who are pregnant or may become pregnant. It is also advised that Cilnidipine be avoided during breastfeeding. If its use is essential, the patient should discontinue breastfeeding while taking this medication.
Precautions & Warnings
Duocard should be used with caution in patients with severe liver dysfunction or those with a history of serious side effects from calcium channel blockers. If the medication needs to be discontinued, it should be done gradually under close medical supervision.
Therapeutic Class
Calcium-channel blockers
Storage Conditions
Store Duocard below 30°C, away from light and moisture. Keep it out of reach of children.
Pack Image of Duocard 10 mg Tablet
(Include image of the Duocard 10 mg tablet packaging)
Additional information
Weight | 0.15 g |
---|
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.