NIFEDIPINE

82/100 · Critical

Manufactured by Pfizer Laboratories Div Pfizer Inc

Nifedipine Adverse Events: High Seriousness and Diverse Reactions

86,569 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About NIFEDIPINE

NIFEDIPINE is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by Pfizer Laboratories Div Pfizer Inc. Based on analysis of 86,569 FDA adverse event reports, NIFEDIPINE has a safety score of 82 out of 100. This score indicates a relatively favorable safety profile, with fewer or less severe adverse events compared to many other tracked medications. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for NIFEDIPINE include DRUG INEFFECTIVE, DYSPNOEA, FATIGUE, DIARRHOEA, NAUSEA. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for NIFEDIPINE.

AI Safety Analysis

Nifedipine has a safety concern score of 82 out of 100, placing it in the high concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 86,569 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Pfizer Laboratories Div Pfizer Inc.

The most commonly reported adverse events include Drug Ineffective, Dyspnoea, Fatigue. Of classified reports, 77.4% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. High percentage of serious adverse events (77.4%) indicates significant safety concerns.

Diverse range of reactions, including cardiovascular, respiratory, and gastrointestinal issues. Frequent reports of hypotension and renal impairment suggest potential safety risks.

Patients taking Nifedipine should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Nifedipine can cause hypotension and renal impairment, which may interact with other drugs affecting blood pressure and kidney function. Warnings are issued for drug interactions and caution is advised. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 82/100

Nifedipine received a safety concern score of 82/100 (high concern). This is based on a 77.4% serious event ratio across 45,396 classified reports. The score accounts for 86,569 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This high score reflects a significant proportion of serious adverse events in the reporting data.

Top Adverse Reactions

DRUG INEFFECTIVE2,507 reports
DYSPNOEA2,431 reports
FATIGUE2,304 reports
DIARRHOEA2,262 reports
NAUSEA2,221 reports
OFF LABEL USE2,019 reports
HEADACHE1,996 reports
DIZZINESS1,767 reports
HYPERTENSION1,766 reports
PAIN1,695 reports
DEATH1,505 reports
ASTHENIA1,488 reports
PNEUMONIA1,488 reports
HYPOTENSION1,446 reports
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY1,443 reports
MALAISE1,382 reports
RENAL FAILURE1,346 reports
VOMITING1,339 reports
BLOOD PRESSURE INCREASED1,254 reports
DRUG INTERACTION1,218 reports
FALL1,217 reports
CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE1,166 reports
ARTHRALGIA1,162 reports
COUGH1,146 reports
FOETAL EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY1,096 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED1,079 reports
PYREXIA1,055 reports
OEDEMA PERIPHERAL1,032 reports
PAIN IN EXTREMITY1,024 reports
PREMATURE BABY999 reports
ANAEMIA990 reports
RASH988 reports
DECREASED APPETITE955 reports
CONSTIPATION911 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED889 reports
MATERNAL EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY888 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN876 reports
PRURITUS871 reports
CHEST PAIN865 reports
BACK PAIN823 reports
ANXIETY803 reports
DRUG HYPERSENSITIVITY771 reports
INSOMNIA761 reports
RENAL IMPAIRMENT751 reports
URINARY TRACT INFECTION738 reports
PERIPHERAL SWELLING720 reports
CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENT679 reports
PREMATURE DELIVERY668 reports
DEHYDRATION663 reports
MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION658 reports
DEPRESSION644 reports
END STAGE RENAL DISEASE642 reports
EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY637 reports
GAIT DISTURBANCE636 reports
TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS636 reports
BLOOD CREATININE INCREASED617 reports
HAEMOGLOBIN DECREASED602 reports
MUSCLE SPASMS602 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER595 reports
CARDIAC FAILURE CONGESTIVE595 reports
WEIGHT INCREASED593 reports
FEELING ABNORMAL565 reports
BLOOD GLUCOSE INCREASED529 reports
SOMNOLENCE524 reports
PALPITATIONS523 reports
COMPLETED SUICIDE514 reports
ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT513 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE498 reports
PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION494 reports
BRADYCARDIA488 reports
PLATELET COUNT DECREASED488 reports
MYALGIA480 reports
LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS479 reports
CARDIAC ARREST476 reports
ATRIAL FIBRILLATION474 reports
ERYTHEMA474 reports
CARDIAC FAILURE473 reports
NASOPHARYNGITIS468 reports
SEPSIS466 reports
JOINT SWELLING460 reports
GASTROOESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE459 reports
BLOOD PRESSURE DECREASED450 reports
TREMOR442 reports
HEART RATE INCREASED437 reports
SYNCOPE437 reports
PARAESTHESIA433 reports
OEDEMA428 reports
HYPOAESTHESIA425 reports
PRODUCT DOSE OMISSION ISSUE416 reports
CHEST DISCOMFORT414 reports
MUSCULAR WEAKNESS410 reports
HYPERKALAEMIA397 reports
OXYGEN SATURATION DECREASED397 reports
LOW BIRTH WEIGHT BABY394 reports
GASTROINTESTINAL HAEMORRHAGE390 reports
PULMONARY OEDEMA390 reports
COVID 19387 reports
DYSPEPSIA387 reports
RESPIRATORY FAILURE387 reports
ABDOMINAL DISTENSION383 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • High number of serious adverse events (35,139 out of 45,396, 77.4%).
  • Multiple cardiovascular issues reported, including heart failure and arrhythmias.
  • Renal impairment and acute kidney injury are common, indicating potential nephrotoxicity.

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Female: 23,902, Male: 17,677, Unknown: 98. The most frequently reported age groups are age 72 (842 reports), age 68 (841 reports), age 67 (826 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 45,396 classified reports for NIFEDIPINE:

  • Serious: 35,139 reports (77.4%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 10,257 reports (22.6%)
Serious 77.4%Non-Serious 22.6%

The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Demographics Breakdown

Reports by Sex

Female23,902 (57.4%)
Male17,677 (42.4%)
Unknown98 (0.2%)

Reports by Age

Age 72842 reports
Age 68841 reports
Age 67826 reports
Age 74812 reports
Age 70805 reports
Age 69785 reports
Age 75776 reports
Age 71774 reports
Age 76736 reports
Age 66735 reports
Age 65722 reports
Age 64719 reports
Age 73716 reports
Age 60694 reports
Age 79685 reports
Age 61679 reports
Age 63678 reports
Age 77676 reports
Age 78659 reports
Age 80607 reports

Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Nifedipine can cause hypotension and renal impairment, which may interact with other drugs affecting blood pressure and kidney function. Warnings are issued for drug interactions and caution is advised.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Nifedipine, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include drug ineffective, dyspnoea, fatigue, diarrhoea, nausea. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Monitor blood pressure and renal function regularly, especially in elderly patients. Be cautious when combining nifedipine with other antihypertensive or nephrotoxic medications. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Regulatory Context

The FDA closely monitors nifedipine's safety profile, and regulatory actions may be taken based on ongoing safety data. Patients should report any adverse events to their healthcare provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many adverse event reports has the FDA received for Nifedipine?

The FDA has received approximately 86,569 adverse event reports associated with Nifedipine. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.

What are the most commonly reported side effects of Nifedipine?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Nifedipine include Drug Ineffective, Dyspnoea, Fatigue, Diarrhoea, Nausea. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Drug Ineffective (2,507 reports), Dyspnoea (2,431 reports), Fatigue (2,304 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Nifedipine.

What percentage of Nifedipine adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 45,396 classified reports, 35,139 (77.4%) were classified as serious and 10,257 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.

Who reports adverse events for Nifedipine (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Nifedipine break down by patient sex as follows: Female: 23,902, Male: 17,677, Unknown: 98. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.

What age groups report the most side effects for Nifedipine?

The most frequently reported age groups for Nifedipine adverse events are: age 72: 842 reports, age 68: 841 reports, age 67: 826 reports, age 74: 812 reports, age 70: 805 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.

Who manufactures Nifedipine?

The primary manufacturer associated with Nifedipine adverse event reports is Pfizer Laboratories Div Pfizer Inc. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.

What other side effects have been reported for Nifedipine?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Nifedipine include: Off Label Use, Headache, Dizziness, Hypertension, Pain. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.

How do I report a side effect from Nifedipine?

You can report adverse events from Nifedipine to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.

What is Nifedipine's safety score and what does it mean?

Nifedipine has a safety concern score of 82 out of 100 (high concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. High percentage of serious adverse events (77.4%) indicates significant safety concerns.

What are the key safety signals for Nifedipine?

Key safety signals identified in Nifedipine's adverse event data include: High number of serious adverse events (35,139 out of 45,396, 77.4%).. Multiple cardiovascular issues reported, including heart failure and arrhythmias.. Renal impairment and acute kidney injury are common, indicating potential nephrotoxicity.. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Nifedipine interact with other drugs?

Nifedipine can cause hypotension and renal impairment, which may interact with other drugs affecting blood pressure and kidney function. Warnings are issued for drug interactions and caution is advised. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Nifedipine.

What should patients know before taking Nifedipine?

Monitor blood pressure and renal function regularly, especially in elderly patients. Be cautious when combining nifedipine with other antihypertensive or nephrotoxic medications.

Are Nifedipine side effects well-documented?

Nifedipine has 86,569 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. Diverse range of reactions, including cardiovascular, respiratory, and gastrointestinal issues. The volume of reports for Nifedipine reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Nifedipine?

The FDA closely monitors nifedipine's safety profile, and regulatory actions may be taken based on ongoing safety data. Patients should report any adverse events to their healthcare provider. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

Drugs related to NIFEDIPINE based on therapeutic use, drug class, or shared indications:

HypotensionRenal ImpairmentHypertensionCardiac FailureArrhythmias
Important Disclaimer: This content is generated by AI analysis of FDA adverse event reports and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Adverse event reports submitted to the FDA do not prove that a medication caused the reported side effect. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you experience a serious side effect, contact your doctor or call 911 immediately.