Drug interactions
Nifedipine + Propranolol
Severity: Moderate
Nifedipine and Propranolol: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Combining a beta-blocker with a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker usually gives additive blood pressure lowering and is often used deliberately. Occasionally excessive hypotension, reflex-related symptoms or worsening heart failure can occur, and nifedipine may modestly raise propranolol exposure.
What this interaction means in plain words
Nifedipine and Propranolol can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Nifedipine belongs to Cardiovascular; Propranolol belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic vasodilation and negative inotropic effects, with possible minor reduction in propranolol clearance by nifedipine.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure and heart rate when starting or adjusting either drug, and reduce the dose if symptomatic hypotension occurs. Use extra care in patients with left ventricular dysfunction or conduction disease.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Propranolol
- Propranolol + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Acebutolol + Propranolol Major
- Adrenaline-articaine + Propranolol Major
- Albuterol + Propranolol Major
- Amifostine + Propranolol Major
- Amiodarone + Propranolol Major
Other interactions of Nifedipine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Nifedipine with Propranolol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Nifedipine and Propranolol can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Combining a beta-blocker with a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker usually gives additive blood pressure lowering and is often used deliberately. Occasionally excessive hypotension, reflex-related symptoms or worsening heart failure can occur, and nifedipine may modestly raise propranolol exposure.
How serious is the interaction between Nifedipine and Propranolol?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor blood pressure and heart rate when starting or adjusting either drug, and reduce the dose if symptomatic hypotension occurs. Use extra care in patients with left ventricular dysfunction or conduction disease.
What other medicines interact with Propranolol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Propranolol with, for example, Thioridazine, Acebutolol, Adrenaline-articaine. The full list is on the Propranolol page.
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