Nifedipine (Raynaud's)
Brand names: Adalat LA, Adalat Retard
Nifedipine is a dihydropyridine calcium-channel blocker used here to reduce the frequency and severity of vasospastic attacks in Raynaud's phenomenon, where it is a first-line drug treatment.
The product information we hold does not support a dose for this page's specific use, route or population, so none is shown. Follow your local or national guideline, and confirm against the product SmPC.
The licensed dosing — for the medicine's licensed uses, which may differ from this page's — is on Nifedipine.
Clinical monograph
How it works
By blocking L-type calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle it produces peripheral arterial vasodilatation, counteracting the digital vasospasm of Raynaud's.
Prescribing in practice
- Vasodilator side effects such as headache, flushing, ankle oedema and dizziness are common and may limit treatment, so dosing is often started low and titrated.
- It is used for symptom control alongside non-drug measures such as keeping warm and avoiding cold exposure and smoking.
- Consider underlying causes of secondary Raynaud's and use caution in hypotension and significant aortic stenosis.
Monitoring
Review attack frequency and severity together with blood pressure and tolerability of vasodilator effects.
Counselling the patient
- Keep hands and body warm and avoid sudden cold, which triggers attacks.
- Headache and flushing often settle with continued use; report if persistent.
Evidence & guidelines
Nifedipine is the established first-line drug option for Raynaud's phenomenon in UK practice, supported by trials and NICE guidance.
Reference: BSR Raynaud's guidelines; HINT trial; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
