Felodipine
Prescription ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
Felodipine is a long-acting dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker used primarily to treat hypertension, alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents. It is highly selective for vascular smooth muscle over cardiac muscle, producing peripheral arteriolar vasodilation with little direct effect on cardiac contractility or conduction. It is formulated as an extended-release tablet to provide once-daily blood pressure control.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
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What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
Felodipine is a long-acting dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker used primarily to treat hypertension, alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents. NutriStack rates the supporting evidence as strong. Common adult dosing is Adults: initial 5 mg once daily (extended-release); usual range 2.5 to 10 mg once daily. Doses above 10 mg/day increase the risk of peripheral edema with limited added benefit. Lower starting dose (2.5 mg) advised in the elderly and patients with hepatic impairment., though a prescriber sets the actual dose. This profile indexes 3 sources.
The bottom line
Evidence rating strong. Most-documented uses: hypertension, stable angina pectoris (in some regions). 3 sources indexed (1991–2012), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Felodipine binds to L-type voltage-gated calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle and inhibits the influx of extracellular calcium during membrane depolarization. By reducing intracellular calcium availability, it decreases the contraction of arteriolar smooth muscle, leading to vasodilation, reduced peripheral vascular resistance, and lowered arterial blood pressure. Its high vascular selectivity means therapeutic doses cause minimal negative inotropic or chronotropic effects, and reflex tachycardia from vasodilation is generally modest. Felodipine is extensively metabolized by hepatic CYP3A4, so inhibitors of this enzyme such as grapefruit juice can markedly increase its plasma concentrations and effect.1,2
Dosing & protocol.
Should be taken consistently either without food or with a light meal; a high-fat meal can substantially increase peak concentration. Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice, which inhibit CYP3A4 and markedly raise felodipine levels, increasing risk of hypotension and edema.1,2
Full safety detail.
Side effects
- Peripheral edema (dose-dependent ankle swelling)
- Headache
- Flushing
- Dizziness
- Palpitations or reflex tachycardia
- Fatigue
- Gingival hyperplasia (with prolonged use)
Contraindications
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Reviews & position papers
1- 1Felodipine. A review of its pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties, and therapeutic use in hypertensionPMIDTodd PA, Faulds D · Drugs · 1992
Felodipine exhibits high selectivity for vascular smooth muscle, effectively lowering blood pressure with little negative inotropic activity at therapeutic doses.
Reference material
2- 2Plendil (felodipine) extended-release tablets prescribing informationAstraZeneca · U.S. Food and Drug Administration label · 2012
Recommended starting dose is 5 mg once daily, usual range 2.5 to 10 mg, with peripheral edema being the most common dose-related adverse effect.
- 3Interactions of citrus juices with felodipine and nifedipinePMIDBailey DG, Spence JD, Munoz C, Arnold JM · The Lancet · 1991
Grapefruit juice substantially raised felodipine area-under-curve and peak plasma concentration, with augmented blood pressure lowering and reflex tachycardia.
Common questions.
Quick answers about Felodipine, drawn from the data on this page.
What is Felodipine?
Felodipine is a long-acting dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker used primarily to treat hypertension, alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents. It is highly selective for vascular smooth muscle over cardiac muscle, producing peripheral arteriolar vasodilation with little direct effect on cardiac contractility or conduction. It is formulated as an extended-release tablet to provide once-daily blood pressure control.
What is Felodipine used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Felodipine include: Hypertension; Stable angina pectoris (in some regions). NutriStack rates the overall evidence as strong.
What is a typical dose of Felodipine?
A typical adult dose of Felodipine is Adults: initial 5 mg once daily (extended-release); usual range 2.5 to 10 mg once daily. Doses above 10 mg/day increase the risk of peripheral edema with limited added benefit. Lower starting dose (2.5 mg) advised in the elderly and patients with hepatic impairment.. The commonly recommended form is Extended-release oral tablet, swallowed whole (not crushed or chewed). These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Felodipine?
Reported side effects include peripheral edema (dose-dependent ankle swelling), headache, flushing, dizziness, palpitations or reflex tachycardia, fatigue. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Felodipine?
NutriStack rates this as Strong, meaning multiple high-quality meta-analyses or systematic reviews converge on the same finding. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
Felodipine in NutriStack.
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