Abstract
Food ingestion does not affect the bioavailability of the nifedipine capsule, a calcium channel antagonist, but delays its absorption rate in healthy subjects. On the other hand, in two different sustained-release preparations of nifedipine, both the bioavailability and anti-hypertensive efficacy in one of them increases, whereas the other is not so much affected by meals. Furthermore, the food induces a reduction in the bioavailability of nicardipine sustained-release preparation, while those of nisordipine, benidipine and manidipine increase conversely.
Such a change in the bioavailability based on food intake may influence the anti-hypertensive efficacy after the initial dosing of the medicine but not so after multiple dosing.
In each medicine or dosage form, there are some differences in the change in the blood level and anti-hypertensive efficacy brought on by food ingestion among the drugs. In general, however, in order to improve patient compliance, we recommend that calcium channel antagonists should be taken after meals following the directions given for this medication.
