What is the difference between nifedipine tablets and nifedipine controlled-release tablets?
The differences between nifedipine tablets and nifedipine controlled-release tablets lie in their physical characteristics, duration of pharmacological effect, and safety profiles.
1. Physical characteristics: Nifedipine tablets are sugar-coated tablets that appear yellow after the coating is removed. Nifedipine controlled-release tablets are hard, round, biconvex, rose-red film-coated tablets.
2. Duration of pharmacological effect: When administered sublingually, nifedipine tablets cause a rapid increase in blood drug concentration, resulting in a significant but short-lived reduction in blood pressure. In contrast, due to their special formulation, nifedipine controlled-release tablets maintain stable blood drug concentrations over a longer period—approximately 24 hours.
3. Safety: Although nifedipine tablets have a pronounced antihypertensive effect, the extent and speed of blood pressure reduction are often difficult to control, potentially causing adverse effects or even serious consequences for patients. Nifedipine controlled-release tablets employ advanced technology, typically using laser-drilled holes to allow slow, controlled drug release through small openings, thereby regulating the degree of blood pressure reduction and offering higher safety.
In addition, compared to nifedipine controlled-release tablets, nifedipine tablets have more side effects and contraindications.