Lercanidipine Ab (Lercanidipine Hydrochloride)

• Lercanidipine is used to manage hypertension, a condition characterized by chronically elevated arterial pressure.
• Hypertension (essential): lowers elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure, helping achieve target levels and reduce cardiovascular risk.
• Hypertension (isolated systolic): provides sustained arterial vasodilation to control high systolic pressure.
• Hypertension (secondary): used as part of combination therapy to improve overall blood pressure control.

• Lercanidipine selectively inhibits L-type calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle cells, preventing calcium influx that is necessary for muscle contraction. This inhibition leads to relaxation of arterial smooth muscle, resulting in vasodilation, reduced peripheral vascular resistance, and consequently a decrease in systemic blood pressure.

Lercanidipine may cause a range of adverse reactions, most of which are mild and transient.

Common Side Effects

• Headache: mild to moderate pain often occurring shortly after dosing.
• Flushing: sensation of warmth and redness, typically on the face or neck.
• Peripheral edema: swelling of the ankles or lower legs.
• Dizziness: light‑headed feeling, especially when standing quickly.
• Tachycardia: increased heart rate without other symptoms.
• Palpitations: awareness of heartbeats.

Serious or Rare Side Effects

• Severe hypotension: marked drop in blood pressure leading to fainting.
• Myocardial infarction: rare occurrence of heart attack.
• Hepatic dysfunction: abnormal liver enzyme elevations.
• Allergic reactions: rash, itching, or swelling.
• Angioedema: rapid swelling of face, lips, or throat.
• Cardiogenic shock: extremely low cardiac output, requiring emergency care.

Patients should be evaluated for specific risk factors before initiating therapy with Lercanidipine.

• Blood pressure monitoring: regularly assess to avoid excessive hypotension.
• Hepatic impairment: use with caution and consider dose adjustment.
• Elderly patients: start at the lowest effective dose due to increased sensitivity.
• Concomitant antihypertensives: monitor for additive blood pressure‑lowering effects.
• Known hypersensitivity: avoid if patient has experienced allergic reactions to calcium channel blockers.
• Store at room temperature: keep in the original container, protect from moisture and direct sunlight.

Lercanidipine can interact with several drug classes, affecting its efficacy or safety.

Major Interactions (Avoid)

• Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole): may increase plasma concentrations, raising risk of hypotension.
• Strong CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., rifampicin, carbamazepine): may reduce effectiveness by lowering drug levels.
• Concurrent use with other potent vasodilators: can cause severe hypotension.

Moderate Interactions (Monitor Closely):\n- Beta‑blockers: additive effect on heart rate and blood pressure.

• Diuretics: may enhance antihypertensive response.
• Grapefruit juice: can modestly increase drug exposure.
• NSAIDs: may blunt antihypertensive effect.
• Other calcium channel blockers: monitor for cumulative vasodilatory effects.