By David Liu, PHD

Thursday April 5, 2012 (foodconsumer.org) -- Dr. Ingrid Schubert of Deutsches Aerzteblatt International published a press release warning that doctors still prescribe nifedipine, an antihypertensisve drug, to elderly people who suffered high blood pressure, even though this drug is known to increase risk of heart attack and death.

A research team led by Ingrid Schubert reported in the current issue of Deutsches Ärzteblatt International that about 1% of elderly patients, who were already vulnerable to adverse effects of drugs, were given the immediate-release nifedipine in 2009.

The finding was based on data from 260,672 insured patients who were able to documented for the first time that doctors continued to prescribe this heart-attack-inducing drug to elderly hypertensive people.

Early studies have already shown that in comparison to other high blood pressure drugs, nifedipine increased patient risk for mortality and heart attacks.  Nifedipine was classified as a potentially dangerous drug in PRISCUS list published in the year of 2010.

Nifedipine is sold under brand names including Adalat, NIfediac, Cordipin, Nifedical and Procardia.  The drug is used to treat hypertension or high blood pressure and to control chest pain (ironically this drug per se can cause chest pain).  This drug is a calcium-channel blocker and it works by relaxing the blood vessels so the heart does not have to pump hard. That is one way to relieve high blood pressure.

Although nifedipine is effective as an anti-hypertensive medication, it can cause side effects or adverse effects including headache, nausea, flushing, heartburn, fast heartbeat, muscle cramps, constipation, cough, decreased sexual ability, swelling of the face, eyes, lid, tongue, hands, arms, feet, ankles, or lower legs, difficulty breathing or swallowing, fainting, rash, yellowing of the skin or eyes, and increase in frequency or severity of chest pain.