When you hear Adalat, a brand name for the calcium channel blocker nifedipine, used to treat high blood pressure and chest pain. Also known as nifedipine, it works by relaxing your blood vessels so your heart doesn't have to work as hard. This isn’t just another pill—it’s a tool millions use daily to keep their heart from being overworked. Adalat doesn’t cure anything, but it keeps things from getting worse. If you’ve been told you have high blood pressure or angina, chances are Adalat or something like it was mentioned.
Adalat belongs to a group called calcium channel blockers, a class of drugs that stop calcium from entering heart and blood vessel cells, leading to lower blood pressure and reduced chest pain. Other names you might see are amlodipine, diltiazem, or verapamil. These all do similar things but aren’t the same. Adalat acts fast, often within 30 minutes, which makes it useful for sudden chest pain. But it doesn’t last long—most versions need to be taken two or three times a day unless you’re on the extended-release kind. That’s why some people switch to other drugs: they want fewer pills, fewer side effects, or longer-lasting control.
People on Adalat often deal with headaches, dizziness, or swollen ankles. Some feel flushed or get a bad taste in their mouth. These aren’t rare—they’re expected. What’s less talked about is how it interacts with grapefruit juice. That one glass of juice can make Adalat too strong, leading to dangerously low blood pressure. And if you’re taking other heart meds, like beta-blockers or statins, your doctor needs to know. This isn’t something you adjust on your own.
Adalat isn’t for everyone. If you’ve had a recent heart attack, severe low blood pressure, or certain heart rhythm issues, your doctor will likely avoid it. It’s also not the first choice for older adults unless other options fail. But for many, especially those who need quick relief from chest tightness, it’s a go-to. The extended-release form (Adalat CC) is often preferred because it smooths out the highs and lows, making side effects easier to handle.
What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t just a list of articles. It’s a real-world look at how Adalat fits into the bigger picture of heart health. You’ll see how it compares to other blood pressure drugs, what side effects people actually report, and how it stacks up against newer options. Some posts dig into dosing tricks, others into what happens when you miss a pill or mix it with alcohol. You’ll also find stories from people managing angina long-term, and how Adalat plays a role in their daily routine.
