This is a calcium-channel blocker.

Indications: treatment and prophylaxis of angina pectoris (exercise-induced angina, angina at rest and angina following myocardial infarction), and in the treatment of hypertension; Raynaud's phenomenon. Cautions: withdraw the drug if ischaemic pain occurs or existing pain worsens shortly after initiating treatment; may inhibit labour. Systolic blood pressure of less than 90 mm Hg; dialysis patients with malignant hypertension and irreversible renal failure with hypovolaemia; avoid grape-fruit juice.

Contra-indications: cardiogenic shock; pregnancy and breast-feeding; within one month of myocardial infarction; unstable or acute attacks of angina; advanced aortic stenosis; porphyria.

Side Effects: headache, flushing, nausea, dizziness, lethargy, skin reactions, paraesthesia, hypotension, palpitation, tachycardia and dependent oedema; rarely hepatitis and reversible gingival hyperplasia.

Dose: angina, initially 10 mg 3 times daily with food, increased to 20 mg 3 times daily if necessary. In elderly patients, initially 5 mg 3 times daily.

For immediate effect bite into capsule and retain liquid in mouth.

Raynaud's syndrome, 10 mg 3 times daily; max. 60 mg daily.

For sustained release capsules: angina pectoris, and hypertension, normally one capsule (20 mg) every 12 hours if necessary the dosage may be increased to 2 capsules every 12 hours.

The capsule should be swallowed whole with a little fluid after meals.