questions about Nifedipine?

Hi mama's........... I have a question about Nifedipine I think it is also called procardin(sp?) My Doctor has me taking 20 mg every 6 hours to prevent contractions. Is this extreme? Is anyone else taking a similar dosage? if so for how long? If you are on Nifedipine would you mind sharing what your dose is????? I just want to be aware and there is not much info about taking this during pregnancy available. Mahalo!!!!!!!

 

QUOTE(liza11 @ Sep 18 2008, 01:06 PM) [snapback]986240[/snapback]
Hi mama's........... I have a question about Nifedipine I think it is also called procardin(sp?) My Doctor has me taking 20 mg every 6 hours to prevent contractions. Is this extreme? Is anyone else taking a similar dosage? if so for how long? If you are on Nifedipine would you mind sharing what your dose is????? I just want to be aware and there is not much info about taking this during pregnancy available. Mahalo!!!!!!!


Hi! I take procardia every six hours as well, but I take a 10mg dosage. I have heard of others taking higher dosages though, so I really don't think you are out of the norm. When I first got on it, it made me feel pretty lethargic and a bit out of it for a couple of days, but now I'm back to normal (I have been on it for 4 weeks). My understanding is that it only really helps short-term, but to get off of it can bring on the contractions, for what it's worth. I am NOT good at taking it every six hours like when I started it...(I was religious about it the first 2 weeks!)...and I haven't had any major problems lately either. My doctor plans to keep me on it until 34 or 35 weeks, when he feels it's safe to come off of it. Had it not worked, he was going to put me on Brethine (Terbutaline). I hope this helps!!

ps I noticed you signed off with "Mahalo" and was wondering if you would please check out my post in the "Naming Twins" section (it's about girls' middle names) and give me your opinion as I am wanting a Hawaiian middle name for one of my girls and you seem like you might be able to help -- thanks in advance!!

jen

 

Is it extended release? I started off taking regular nifedipine 10mg every 6 hours. When that no longer worked (was having more than 5-6 contractions an hour), I was put on Terbutaline. When that stopped working, they put me on Mag Sulfate in the hospital. They then tried to put me on the Nifed ER (extend. release), but it didn't work well for me, so they told me to take the regular nifed every 4 hours. This was over the course of 10 weeks. If you have any questions about dosage and meds though, talk to your OB or Peri. GL with the rest of your pregnancy.

 

Hi there!
I was on a REALLY high dose of Nifipine (cannot remember but I *think* it was 50mg???) every 6 hours for about a month I believe. I was on it up until two days before my c-section. It really helped slow things down :good:

 

I was on nifedipine (extended release in the hospital, then regular at home) from 32 weeks until 34 weeks. I don't remember my dose, but 20mg every six hours sounds familiar. After 34 weeks, my OB took me off, he said after that the risks of being on medication outweighed the risks of delivery of the babies. I then delivered at 35 and 4/7 weeks.

 

I was also on 10 mg three times a day. It either works or it doesn't and for me it didn't work so my OB didn't bother to increase the dose.