Compare Nifedipine vs. Prazosin
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Lowers blood pressure and controls heart rate.
Nifedipine works well to lower blood pressure and prevent chest pain, but you have to be okay with avoiding grapefruit. You can't miss doses, and you might get persistent swelling.
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2.8/ 5 average rating with 26 reviewsforNifedipine
Lowers blood pressure and makes it easier to urinate.
Prazosin is used mostly to make urination easier for men with an enlarged prostate, but it can cause dizziness.
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3.0/ 5 average rating with 48 reviewsforPrazosin
Upsides
- A first-choice blood pressure treatment for many people.
- Calcium channel blockers work especially well for African Americans to lower blood pressure.
- You can take it alone or with other medicines to help lower blood pressure.
- Lowers the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Prevents heart-related chest pain (angina) if you take it regularly.
- Treats certain abnormal heart rhythms.
- Can be added to other blood pressure-lowering medicines if you need additional blood pressure control.
- Makes urination easier in men with an enlarged prostate.
- Helps people with PTSD get better sleep with fewer, less-intense nightmares.
Downsides
- Calcium channel blockers can cause swelling in your limbs. If this happens for you, it probably won't get better over time, so talk to your doctor about alternatives if it bothers you.
- Women are more likely to have side effects (especially swelling) from Nifedipine than men.
- You can't miss doses. Stopping Nifedipine suddenly can cause your blood pressure to go up suddenly, which raises the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Not a good medication for you if you love grapefruit. It can make Nifedipine have a stronger effect on your blood pressure.
- Not the best medicine to lower blood pressure by itself.
- Likely to cause orthostatic hypotension. This means dizziness when you change positions (like standing up) because your blood pressure doesn't adjust quickly enough.
- Not preferred for people 65 years or older.
Used for
- High blood pressure
- Enlarged prostate
- Erectile dysfunction
- Heart failure
- PTSD
- Poisoning due to scorpion venom
- Raynaud's phenomenon
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Extended release
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$9.54
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$76.14
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Reviews
26 reviews so far
42%
saidit'sworth it
31%
saiditworked well
46%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Procardia (Nifedipine)?
Leave a review48 reviews so far
46%
saidit'sworth it
29%
saiditworked well
15%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Minipress (Prazosin)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
11possible side effects
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, giddiness27%
- Flushing25%
- Headache23%
- Weakness12%
- Nausea, heartburn11%
- Muscle cramps, tremor8%
- Peripheral edema7%
- Nervousness, mood changes7%
- Palpitation7%
- Dyspnea, cough, wheezing6%
- Nasal congestion, sore throat6%
7possible side effects
- Dizziness10%
- Headache8%
- Drowsiness8%
- Lack of energy7%
- Weakness7%
- Palpitations5%
- Nausea5%
Risks and risk factors
- Intestinal blockage
- Taking anti-inflammatories, acid reducers in the stomach, anticholinergics, laxatives, levothyroxine
- History of intestinal surgery
- Chest pain
- Taking beta-blockers
- Severe coronary artery disease.
- Liver damage/jaundice
- History of cirrhosis
- Low blood pressure
- Congestive heart failure
- History of tight aortic stenosis
- Taking beta-blockers
- Heart attack or increased chest pain
- Obstructive coronary artery disease
- Low blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension)
- Age 65 years or older