What is Cardiplot 20 mg used for? A Comprehensive Guide

According to the National Drug Information database, Cardiplot is a brand name for manidipine hydrochloride, a vital calcium channel blocker primarily used for managing hypertension. It is often prescribed for patients when a lower dose is insufficient for controlling high blood pressure.

Quick Summary

Cardiplot 20 mg, containing manidipine, is an antihypertensive medication that lowers blood pressure by dilating blood vessels. It is used to treat mild to moderate essential hypertension in adults when a lower starting dose proves inadequate. It works by blocking calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle.

Key Points

• Hypertension Treatment: Cardiplot 20 mg, with the active ingredient manidipine, is used to treat mild to moderate high blood pressure.

• Calcium Channel Blocker: Manidipine works by blocking L-type calcium channels, causing blood vessel relaxation and lowering overall blood pressure.

• Renal Protective Properties: It has specific vascular effects on the kidneys, which can be beneficial for hypertensive patients with renal impairment.

• Common Side Effects: The most common side effects are associated with the amount administered and include headache, dizziness, flushing, and ankle swelling.

• Important Interactions: Grapefruit juice and certain medications that affect the CYP3A4 enzyme should be avoided as they can interact with manidipine.

• Requires Caution: Patients with severe liver or kidney problems, unstable angina, or untreated congestive heart failure should not take this medication.

What is Cardiplot 20 mg?

Cardiplot 20 mg is a medication containing the active substance manidipine hydrochloride. As a third-generation dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, manidipine is specifically designed to manage high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. It is a long-acting drug, meaning once-daily administration may provide sustained blood pressure control over a 24-hour period. While the initial administration is typically lower, the amount may be increased to 20 mg if the desired blood pressure reduction is not achieved.

How does Cardiplot 20 mg work?

Manidipine's primary function is to block the influx of calcium ions into vascular smooth muscle cells by targeting L-type calcium channels. This action leads to several key physiological effects that contribute to its antihypertensive properties:

• Vasodilation: By preventing calcium from entering smooth muscle cells, manidipine causes the blood vessels to relax and widen. This vasodilation decreases the resistance against which the heart must pump blood, effectively lowering blood pressure.
• Renal Selectivity: A distinctive feature of manidipine is its selective action on the kidney's arterioles. It increases renal blood flow and reduces resistance in the kidney's vascular system, which can help in reducing complications related to kidney function in hypertensive patients.
• Reduced Peripheral Resistance: The overall effect of vasodilation is a decrease in total peripheral resistance, which is the resistance of the arterial system. This reduction helps the heart pump more efficiently and lowers the overall strain on the cardiovascular system.

Therapeutic indications for Cardiplot 20 mg

The main therapeutic use for Cardiplot 20 mg is for the treatment of mild to moderate essential hypertension. The amount is generally increased to 20 mg daily from an initial amount if the lower amount is not effective enough after a few weeks.

Administration

It is crucial to follow a healthcare provider's instructions for taking Cardiplot 20 mg. The medication is typically taken once daily in the morning, after breakfast. Taking it with food can enhance its absorption. The amount should not be altered or stopped abruptly without medical supervision, as this can risk a hypertensive crisis.

Potential side effects of Cardiplot 20 mg

While generally well-tolerated, manidipine can cause side effects. Many are related to its vasodilating action and tend to be associated with the amount administered, often decreasing over time as the body adjusts.

Common side effects include:

• Headache
• Dizziness and vertigo
• Hot flushes
• Palpitations
• Peripheral oedema (swelling of the ankles and feet)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Constipation or dry mouth
• Rash or eczema

Less common or more severe side effects:

• Chest pain or angina
• Tachycardia
• Hypotension (abnormally low blood pressure)
• Reversible increases in liver enzymes
• In rare cases, myocardial infarction (heart attack) has been reported in patients with pre-existing angina, with increased frequency, duration, or severity.

Patients experiencing any serious side effects should seek immediate medical attention.

Precautions and contraindications

Cardiplot is not suitable for everyone. It should be used with caution and under strict medical supervision in certain patient populations.

Contraindications:

• Hypersensitivity to manidipine or other dihydropyridines
• Unstable angina or recent myocardial infarction (within 4 weeks)
• Untreated congestive heart failure
• Severe renal or moderate to severe hepatic failure
• Pregnancy and lactation
• Pediatric patients

Precautions:

• Hepatic impairment: Patients with mild liver impairment may require an adjustment in the amount administered.
• Renal impairment: Caution is advised when increasing the amount administered in patients with mild to moderate renal dysfunction.
• Elderly patients: A lower initial amount may be recommended due to slower metabolic processes.
• Left ventricular failure: Requires caution.

Drug and food interactions

Cardiplot 20 mg can interact with various substances, which can alter its effectiveness or increase the risk of side effects. It's important to inform your doctor about all medications and supplements you are taking.

Key interactions include:

• Other antihypertensive drugs: Combining with diuretics or beta-blockers can cause an additive blood pressure-lowering effect.
• CYP3A4 inhibitors: Medications like ketoconazole and erythromycin, and foods like grapefruit juice, can inhibit the metabolism of manidipine, increasing its systemic bioavailability and hypotensive effect.
• CYP3A4 inducers: Drugs such as rifampicin and carbamazepine can decrease the efficacy of manidipine.
• Alcohol: Concurrent consumption can enhance the antihypertensive effects.

Comparison: Manidipine (Cardiplot) vs. Amlodipine

While both are dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers used for hypertension, they have some differences. A review published in PubMed highlights some of these distinctions.

Feature	Manidipine (Cardiplot)	Amlodipine
Active Ingredient	Manidipine hydrochloride	Amlodipine besylate
Peripheral Oedema	Appears to have less potential for pedal oedema	Commonly associated with pedal oedema
Renal Function	Exhibits vascular selectivity in the kidneys, which may offer protective effects	Has shown varying effects on renal parameters in some studies
Duration of Action	Long-acting, allowing for once-daily administration	Long-acting, allowing for once-daily administration
Mechanism	Inhibits calcium influx in vascular smooth muscle, with distinct renal effects	Primarily inhibits calcium influx to relax blood vessels
Metabolic Profile	Shown not to affect glucose metabolism or lipid profile in diabetic patients	May have varying metabolic effects in different patient populations

This comparison is for informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional to determine the most appropriate treatment for your specific condition.

Conclusion

Cardiplot 20 mg, containing the active ingredient manidipine, is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for mild to moderate essential hypertension. Its mechanism of action as a calcium channel blocker helps lower blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels, with the added benefit of promoting renal function. While it is a valuable tool in managing high blood pressure, patients should be aware of potential side effects, contraindications, and drug interactions. Always follow your doctor's prescribed instructions and recommendations and discuss any concerns or side effects you may experience. For further clinical information, the review of manidipine on the National Institutes of Health website offers additional context.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the active ingredient in Cardiplot 20 mg?

The active ingredient in Cardiplot 20 mg is manidipine hydrochloride, a type of calcium channel blocker.

How often should I take Cardiplot 20 mg?

Cardiplot is typically administered once daily, usually in the morning after breakfast.

Can I stop taking Cardiplot 20 mg if my blood pressure improves?

You should never stop taking Cardiplot or any calcium channel blocker abruptly without consulting your doctor, as this can lead to a hypertensive crisis.

What is the typical initial administration for Cardiplot?

The typical initial administration for Cardiplot is usually a lower amount once daily, and this may be increased after a few weeks if necessary.

Is ankle swelling a common side effect of Cardiplot?

Yes, peripheral oedema (swelling of the ankles and feet) is a common side effect of manidipine, though it may be less frequent than with other calcium channel blockers.

Can I drink grapefruit juice while taking Cardiplot 20 mg?

No, grapefruit juice should be avoided as it can inhibit the metabolism of manidipine, leading to increased blood levels and a potentially dangerous drop in blood pressure.

Is Cardiplot suitable for older patients?

Older patients may typically start with a lower amount because their metabolism may be slower. The decision to increase the amount administered should be made cautiously.