*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.

Side Effects Of Nifedipine

NHS medicines information on side effects of nifedipine and what you can do to cope.

Common side effects

These common side effects of nifedipine happen in more than 1 in 100 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them:

Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or lasts more than a few days.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects after taking nifedipine are rare and happen in less than 1 in 1,000 people.

Stop taking nifedipine and call 111 straight away if the whites of your eyes turn yellow, or your skin turns yellow although this may be less obvious on brown or black skin. These can be signs of liver problems.

Call 999 now if:

you get chest pain that does not stop after a few minutes, or is new or worse if you already have angina

Chest pain is a possible sign of a heart attack and needs to be checked as soon as possible.

Serious allergic reaction

In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to nifedipine.

Other side effects

These are not all the side effects of nifedipine. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.

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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