Renedil is a brand name for the drug felodipine. It belongs to the group of drugs called “calcium channel blockers” or “calcium antagonists”.

Renedil is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Its main action is to relax the arteries, letting the blood flow more freely; thereby lowering the blood pressure.

Read this leaflet carefully. It does not replace your doctor's or pharmacist's advice. They may have given you different instructions for your particular health condition. Be sure to follow their advice. If you have any questions, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Do not decide on your own how to take Renedil.

Before taking Renedil

Be sure you have told your doctor:

• If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
  
• If you are breast-feeding.
  
• About all health problems you have or have had in the past.
  
• About all medicines you take, including ones you can buy without a prescription.
  
• If you visit more than one doctor make sure that each knows about all the medicines you are taking.
  
• If you are allergic to “nonmedicinal” substances like food products, preservatives, or dyes, which may be present in Renedil tablets (see Renedil Ingredients).
  
• If you have ever had a bad, unusual or allergic reaction to “felodipine”.
  

Renedil Ingredients

Most medicines contain more ingredients than just the active drug. These ingredients are needed to keep medicines in a form that you can swallow. Check with your doctor if you think you might be allergic to any of these items (listed in alphabetical order):

• aluminum silicate
• carnauba wax
• castor oil
• felodipine
• hydroxypropyl cellulose
• hydroxypropyl methylcellulose
• iron oxide
• lactose
• microcrystalline cellulose
• polyethylene glycol
• propyl gallate
• sodium stearyl fumarate
• titanium dioxide

How to use the Renedil Compliance Pack:

This unique 30-day package is designed to make it easy to keep track of your medication.

Twenty-eight of the tablets are labelled with a day of the week. To start, take a tablet in the first row that matches the day you begin the pack. Then, take a tablet on each of the following days to complete the 28 labelled tablets. The 2 extra nonlabelled tablets should be taken after all other tablets are gone.

Remember to get a new prescription from your doctor or a refill from your pharmacy a few days before all 30 tablets are taken.

How to Take Renedil

• Take Renedil exactly as your doctor tells you. Do not miss doses or take extra doses, unless your doctor tells you. If you are not clear about the directions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
  
• Renedil is taken once a day. Even if your doctor has prescribed 2 tablets a day, both should be taken at the same time, unless otherwise indicated.
  
• Try to take Renedil with something you do regularly each day; for example, upon waking or at breakfast. This will help you remember each dose.
  
• Renedil may be taken with food or on an empty stomach.
  
• Grapefruit juice increases the amount of Renedil in your body and should be avoided.
  
• Swallow Renedil whole with a glass of water. Do not crush, chew, break or suck on the tablets.
  
• Do not transfer Renedil to other pill containers. To protect your Renedil tablets, keep them in the initial Compliance Pack.
  

If you Miss a Dose: If you miss a dose of Renedil and remember within 12 hours, you should take your usual dose as soon as possible. Then go back to your regular schedule. But if it is more than 12 hours when you remember, do not take the missed dose. Just take the next dose on time.

Never take a double dose of Renedil to make up for missed tablets. If you are still unsure, check with your doctor or pharmacist to see what you should do.

Side Effects

Along with its effects on controlling blood pressure, Renedil, like any medication, may include side effects.

Some side effects may occur when Renedil is first started or when the dose is increased. These side effects are usually mild and should go away as your body gets used to Renedil.

It is important that you keep your doctor informed of all side effects, especially if you experience any of the following for more than a week:

• swelling of the ankles;
  
• flushing or a feeling of warmth;
  
• dizziness;
  
• a racing heartbeat;
  
• headache;
  
• unusual tiredness.
  

Medicines affect different people in different ways. Just because side effects have occurred in other patients does not mean you will get them. Discuss how you feel on Renedil with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not stop taking Renedil on your own.

A few patients report mild tenderness or swelling of their gums while taking Renedil. This effect can be prevented with good dental care. Brush your teeth carefully and often with a soft toothbrush, and use dental floss daily.

Massaging your gums regularly with a soft toothbrush will also help. If your gums become tender, red or swollen be sure to tell your doctor or dentist.

Other side effects have been reported in a few cases. These include tingling in the hands, arms, feet or legs, stomach upset and diarrhea. Again, if any of these effects bother you, be sure to tell your doctor.

You should be certain to contact your doctor immediately if you experience anything unusual.

Additional Notes:

• Keep Renedil out of sight and out of the reach of children. Never take medicine in front of small children as they will want to copy you.
  
• Unused medicines which you know you will no longer need should be carefully discarded. Small quantities may be disposed of in the toilet or you may wish to seek advice from your pharmacist.
  
• The Compliance Pack protects each tablet. When you first open the package, if you find any damage to the plastic seal or foil which exposes the tablet, ask your pharmacist to check the package.
  
• Check with your doctor if you want to drink alcohol (including wine with your meals) while you are taking Renedil. Drinking alcohol while on Renedil may make you feel dizzier than usual. Alcohol may also cause an uncomfortable drop in blood pressure.
  
• Remember, you may not notice any signs of high blood pressure. Therefore it is important to take Renedil even when you feel well. A constant amount of drug is needed in your body to control your blood pressure. Do not stop taking Renedil on your own.
  

How to Store Renedil

Although the Renedil tablets are protected in this Compliance Pack, it is best to keep the package at normal room temperature and in a dry place. Do not keep Renedil in the bathroom. Keep Renedil out of the reach of children. Do not keep or use Renedil after the expiry date indicated on the Compliance Pack.

General Information

All drugs can have both helpful and harmful effects. Both depend on the person and his or her health condition. This leaflet alerts you to some of the times you should call your doctor. Other situations which cannot be predicted may arise. Nothing in this leaflet should stop you from calling your doctor or pharmacist with any questions or concerns you have about Renedil.