*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives.

How And When To Take Felodipine

NHS medicines information on dosage for felodipine, how to take it and what to do if you miss a dose or take too much.

Take felodipine as your doctor has told you, and follow the instructions that come with the medicine. If you're not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Felodipine comes as slow release tablets. This means that the tablets release felodipine into your body gradually throughout the day.

Dosage

The usual starting dose of felodipine for high blood pressure and angina is 5mg once a day.

Older people usually start on a lower dose of 2.5mg once a day.

If the starting dose is not working well enough, your doctor may increase it to 10mg a day.

If you have side effects or your blood pressure goes too low, your doctor may lower your dose to 2.5mg a day.

How to take it

You'll usually take felodipine once a day in the morning. It's best to take it on an empty stomach or after a light meal or snack that is not too fatty or starchy.

Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water. Do not break, crush or chew them. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor if you have problems swallowing them.

Do not eat or drink grapefruit or grapefruit juice while you're taking this medicine. Grapefruit juice can make side effects worse.

How long to take it for

Usually, treatment with felodipine is long term, even for the rest of your life.

If you forget to take it

If you forget a dose of felodipine, just take your next dose at the usual time the next day.

Do not take 2 doses to make up for a forgotten one.

If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.

If you take too much

An overdose of felodipine can make you feel sick (nausea), dizzy and sleepy.

The amount of felodipine that can lead to an overdose varies from person to person.

Contact 111 for advice now if:

you take more than your prescribed dose of felodipine

Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111.

If you need to go to A&E, do not drive yourself. Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance.

Take the felodipine box, or the leaflet inside the packet, plus any remaining medicine with you.

Stopping felodipine

Talk to your doctor if you want to stop taking felodipine.

Stopping felodipine may cause your blood pressure to rise, and this may increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.

If you are taking it for angina, stopping it will make it more likely you will have more angina attacks.

If you're bothered by side effects, your doctor may be able to prescribe you a different medicine.

Important

Take felodipine even if you feel well, as you will still be getting the benefits of the medicine.

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
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