Drug reference

Lacidipine

Dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker (long-acting) · Antihypertensive, Antianginal

START

2 mg PO once daily

TYPICAL MAX

6 mg/day

STOP IF

Severe hypotension, worsening angina, or significant oedema

WATCH

BP, heart rate, peripheral oedema; avoid grapefruit

CDSCO approvedSchedule HATC C08CA09

Dose laddermg/d

Renal dose adjustmenteGFR mL/min/1.73m²

KDIGO 2024 + manufacturer label

Pharmacokineticsplasma · t hours

ONSET: 1h · BP effect
PEAK: 1.5h · Tmax
t½: 16h · t½
DURATION: 1d · once-daily

EXCRETION

Mainly faecal; minor renal

route + CYP

INTERACTIONS

2 major

SEVERE in our sources

PREGNANCY

Avoid unless essential; limited data.

FDA category + note

Top interactionssee all 5 →

Grapefruit JuiceSevereDatabaseKimi deep-research + Cla
Strong Cyp3a4 InhibitorsSevereDatabaseKimi deep-research + Cla

Mechanism

Highly lipophilic DHP that blocks L-type voltage-gated calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle, with slow membrane equilibration giving smooth, prolonged BP lowering and minimal reflex tachycardia.

Indications

Hypertension (mono- or combination)

Dosing

Adult: 2 mg PO once daily; titrate every 2–4 weeks to 4 mg, max 6 mg/day.
Pediatric: Not established.
Renal adjustment: No adjustment.
Hepatic adjustment: Reduce starting dose / titrate cautiously in significant impairment.
Geriatric: Start 2 mg; titrate slowly.
Max dose: 6 mg/day

Pharmacokinetics

Onset

BP effect within hours; full effect over 1–2 weeks

Peak effect

~30–150 min (variable Tmax)

Duration

~24 h

Half-life

~13–19 h

Bioavailability

~10% (extensive first-pass)

Protein binding

>95%

Metabolism

Hepatic CYP3A4

Excretion

Mainly faecal; minor renal (metabolites)

Contraindications

Cardiogenic shock
Recent MI / unstable angina
Significant aortic stenosis
Hypersensitivity

Side effects

Common

HeadacheFlushingPeripheral oedemaPalpitationsDizziness

Serious

Severe hypotension
Reflex tachycardia (less than short-acting DHPs)
Gingival hyperplasia (chronic)

Pregnancy & lactation

Pregnancy

Avoid unless essential; limited data.

Lactation

Limited data; caution.

Drug interactions

Grapefruit Juice

Severe

Database

Gut CYP3A4 inhibition

Avoid grapefruit