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Depin Retard

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Medically reviewed

Laura Arias

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

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Overview of Depin Retard

Property Description
Active ingredient Nifedipine
Form Extended-release tablet (Retard Tablet)
Pharmacological class Calcium Channel Blocker (Dihydropyridine)
General purpose Reducing peripheral vascular resistance, easing cardiac strain
Origin Synthetic compound

Depin Retard is a synthetic oral medicinal product whose active component is Nifedipine, a substance that belongs to the Calcium Channel Blocker (CCB) pharmacological class. Specifically, Nifedipine is a derivative of the dihydropyridine chemical class, characterized by its selective action on the smooth muscle cells of the arterial walls. The medication's general purpose is to modulate the circulatory system by inhibiting the transmembrane influx of calcium ions, a core action necessary for muscle contraction.


Identity and Chemical Classification: What Type of Medicine is Depin Retard?

The medication is identified as a CCB because it works by blocking L-type calcium channels, a mechanism that results in the relaxation and widening of blood vessels. Nifedipine serves as an antihypertensive and an agent against certain types of angina pectoris. This medication is used for managing conditions related to elevated blood pressure and chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. Its classification places it among cardiovascular agents that are often prescribed to achieve long-term vascular management in adult patient groups.


Composition and the Meaning of the Retard Formulation

Depin Retard is supplied as an extended-release tablet, or Retard Tablet, which is a specialized oral dosage form. The "Retard" designation signifies that the tablet is engineered to release the active ingredient, Nifedipine, slowly and consistently over a prolonged duration, which ensures stable drug levels over many hours. This controlled absorption profile is a critical feature, as it supports continuous management of chronic vascular conditions and simplifies the regimen compared to immediate-release formulations. The formulation utilizes a specialized polymer matrix and solid excipients to regulate the release rate, a key aspect differentiating it from standard, rapidly absorbed Nifedipine preparations.


General Purpose: How Does Depin Retard Generally Help?

The essential physiological effect of Depin Retard is peripheral arterial vasodilation—the relaxation of blood vessels—which is a direct consequence of its calcium ion blockade. This action reduces the resistance against which the heart must pump blood. Nifedipine acts to lower systemic arterial pressure and improve oxygen supply to the heart muscle. This medication is generally beneficial for reducing the mechanical workload on the heart and managing symptoms associated with chronically restricted blood flow.

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What side effects are possible with Depin Retard?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

This section summarizes the adverse reactions and safety statements for Depin Retard (Nifedipine), based on official governmental regulatory documentation.

Documented Adverse Reactions

Adverse reactions are classified by how often they occur (frequency) and the affected System-Organ-Class (SOC). This classification helps define the drug's overall safety profile.

Frequency Category Common Side Effects (Occur in 1% to 10% of patients)
Common Headache, dizziness, peripheral oedema (swelling of ankles/legs), flushing (warm sensation), and constipation.
Uncommon Tachycardia (fast heartbeat), palpitations, hypotension, nausea, tremor, and sleep disorders.
Not Known Reactions whose frequency cannot be estimated, such as agranulocytosis (severe blood disorder), jaundice, and generalized allergic reactions (anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reaction).

Serious Adverse Reactions and Safety Constraints

Regulatory documents list certain conditions and reactions that pose a significant risk:

  • Serious Reactions: Documented serious adverse events include the possibility of a severe allergic reaction, significant drop in blood pressure (severe hypotension), and aggravation of angina or new myocardial infarction.
  • Contraindications: Depin Retard should not be used in cases of cardiogenic shock, clinically significant aortic stenosis, unstable angina, or within four weeks of a myocardial infarction. It is also contraindicated for use with the antibiotic Rifampicin.
  • Grapefruit Interaction: The label warns against consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking this medication due to the potential for a severe increase in drug levels and risk of adverse effects.

Population-Specific Safety Notes

  • Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Use is generally not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, as the drug is excreted in breast milk and the effects on the infant are not fully known.
  • Hepatic Impairment: Patients with liver problems should be closely monitored, and a dose reduction may be required for those with severe impairment.
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Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and when to seek help — official regulatory information for Depin Retard

Overdose Scope

Documented overdose presentations: Physiological systems affected (as stated in label):
Excessive hypotension, reflex sinus tachycardia, bradycardia, conduction disturbances, hyperglycemia, loss of consciousness, or coma. Cardiovascular System, Central Nervous System, Metabolic System.

Dose-related or exposure-related factors (if applicable): The extended-release formulation carries the specific factor of delayed toxicity; severe effects may manifest up to 16 hours post-ingestion, even if initial symptoms are absent. Massive overdose has been formally linked to fatal shock and cardiovascular collapse.

Population-specific overdose notes (if applicable): Regulatory documents note a potentially worse prognosis for overdose in elderly patients and individuals with pre-existing cardiac or hepatic impairment.

Emergency-response statements (as written in official documents):

  • Seek immediate medical attention for any suspected overdose.
  • Management is primarily symptomatic and supportive treatment, as no specific antidote is known.
  • Procedures may include gastrointestinal decontamination, such as administering activated charcoal or gastric lavage, particularly within one hour of ingestion.

When immediate medical help is required (label-derived phrasing only): Immediate medical services must be contacted for any suspected overdose, and urgent hospitalization is required for symptoms such as profound hypotension or loss of consciousness.

Overdose classifications (high-level)

Severity classification (as defined in official documents): Overdose-context constraints (as defined in official documents):
Ranges from excessive hemodynamic effects to life-threatening outcomes including fatal shock. Continuous hospital observation for at least 12 hours is mandated for the sustained-release form due to the delayed toxicity risk.

Resulting overdose structure Official overdose statements:

  • Overdose presents with severe circulatory disturbances, predominantly excessive hypotension and potential cardiac rhythm abnormalities.
  • The life-threatening manifestations include cardiovascular collapse and the risk of fatal shock.
  • Extended hospital monitoring is required, even in asymptomatic cases, due to the formulation's delayed toxicity profile.

Connection to the overall overdose profile (3 sentences): Regulatory documents define the overdose profile by listing the resulting severe cardiovascular effects, such as profound hemodynamic instability and life-threatening systemic outcomes. The profile is further constrained by the formulation's property, which mandates extended monitoring due to the risk of delayed toxicity. Consequently, official guidance uniformly requires users to seek immediate medical attention for any suspected overdose.

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Therapeutic Uses of Depin Retard

What Depin Retard Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

Depin Retard (Nifedipine extended-release) is commonly used to support long-term vascular management and may assist patients with maintaining greater cardiovascular stability and comfort. The medication is relevant for easing symptoms related to systemic imbalance in the cardiovascular system.

The medication is applied in domains relevant for easing symptoms associated with High Blood Pressure (Essential Hypertension), recurring ischemic chest pain (Angina Pectoris), and blood vessel constriction (Vasospasm), such as Raynaud's Phenomenon.

“The medicine is applied across domains where additional symptomatic support is needed for conditions characterized by periods of heightened symptoms.”

In contexts where pressure reduction and supportive blood flow are needed, Depin Retard assists with maintaining functional stability and contributes to easing the overall symptom load, helping patients cope more steadily with their chronic conditions.


Quick Fact: Relief for Vascular Symptoms

The extended-release formulation is typically used for chronic disease stabilization, providing supportive relief to help minimize the disruptive pain and limitations caused by recurring episodes of chest discomfort or vascular constriction.

Regulatory References

  1. NIH MedlinePlus Drug Information
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Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Official Eligibility and Contraindication Profile

The eligibility for using Depin Retard (Nifedipine extended-release) is strictly defined by regulatory authorities based on age, existing health conditions, and physiological status.

Classification Rule Summary (Based on Official Labeling)
Absolute Contraindication Must not be used by patients with known hypersensitivity to Nifedipine or other dihydropyridines; individuals in cardiogenic shock, unstable angina pectoris, or within four weeks of an acute myocardial infarction; patients with high-grade aortic stenosis; and those taking Rifampicin [1.1], [1.3].
Restricted/Conditional Use Not recommended for children and adolescents under 18 years of age due to unestablished safety and efficacy [1.3]. Caution and monitoring are necessary for patients with impaired hepatic (liver) function, severe hypotension, or decompensated cardiac insufficiency [1.1], [1.3].
Age-Related Eligibility Indicated for use in adults (18 years and older). Use in pediatric patients is not recommended [1.3].
Pregnancy/Lactation Generally contraindicated during breastfeeding (lactation) and before the 20th week of pregnancy [1.3]. In late pregnancy, use is generally reserved for severe, unresponsive hypertension [1.1].

These restrictions define the patient population that is permitted to use the medicine under standard labeled conditions and strictly exclude patients with conditions that pose a severe risk, as formally documented in regulatory prescribing information.

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What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

The interaction profile for Depin Retard (Nifedipine extended-release) is governed primarily by its metabolism via the CYP3A4 enzyme and by its additive physiological effects, as detailed in official regulatory sources.

Strong CYP3A4 inducers, such such as Rifampin, are formally contraindicated because they significantly reduce Nifedipine's plasma concentration, leading to a loss of efficacy. Similarly, the herbal product St. John's Wort and consumption of Grapefruit juice are documented to alter the drug's metabolism and must be avoided. Conversely, CYP3A4 inhibitors, including certain antifungal agents (like Itraconazole) and protease inhibitors, are documented to increase Nifedipine systemic exposure, necessitating restrictions on co-administration.

In terms of pharmacokinetic interaction with other medicines, Nifedipine may reduce the clearance of Digoxin, resulting in elevated serum concentrations of the cardiac glycoside. Furthermore, Nifedipine is documented to inhibit the metabolism of the immunosuppressant Tacrolimus, which leads to increased whole blood trough concentrations of Tacrolimus.

Pharmacodynamically, co-administration with Beta-blockers and other blood pressure-lowering agents is documented to produce an additive hypotensive effect. Specific procedural constraints include a mandatory 36-hour washout period for the drug before planned surgery utilizing high-dose Fentanyl anesthesia. Finally, patients with hepatic impairment experience reduced Nifedipine clearance and increased systemic exposure, a condition that may magnify the severity of other interactions.

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Mechanism of Action

Pharmacodynamic Mechanism: L-type Calcium Channel Blockade


The core action of Nifedipine is the non-competitive blockade of the CaV1.2 subunit of L-type voltage-gated calcium channels. These channels are concentrated in the cell membranes of arterial smooth muscle cells. Nifedipine acts as a gating modifier, binding preferentially to and stabilizing the inactivated state of the channel, which consequentially reduces the transmembrane influx of calcium ions ( Ca^2+) into the cytosol. This interruption directly inhibits the Ca^2+-dependent excitation-contraction coupling pathway, the fundamental process required for muscle tightening.


The resulting limitation of intracellular Ca^2+ rise inhibits sustained contraction of arterial smooth muscle, inducing widespread arterial vasodilation (widening of the blood vessels). This relaxation decreases the friction and opposition the blood encounters, thereby decreasing the total peripheral resistance and the mechanical afterload against which the heart pumps. The reduction in systemic vascular resistance is a primary physiological consequence of the mechanism, resulting in an adjustment of arterial pressure. This mechanism can activate the body's baroreceptor reflex, a compensatory response that may transiently increase sympathetic output, resulting in a temporary change in heart rate.

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Dosage and Administration Information

How to use Depin Retard: Official Administration Guidelines

The usage of Depin Retard (Nifedipine extended-release) is designed to ensure the prolonged, controlled delivery of the active substance. The medication is for oral use and is supplied as an extended-release tablet (Retard form).

Instruction Detail
Dosing Schedule The standard adult regimen often begins with an initial dose of 30 mg or 60 mg. The typical maintenance range is 30 mg to 90 mg once daily, and the maximum daily limit is 120 mg. Dosage titration is performed gradually, often over 7 to 14-day intervals, allowing for the assessment of patient response.
Frequency and Handling The prescribed schedule is typically once daily to ensure stable drug levels over 24 hours. The extended-release tablet must be swallowed whole with liquid and should not be crushed, divided, or chewed under any circumstances, as this would disrupt the controlled-release mechanism.
Special Constraints Co-administration with grapefruit juice must be strictly avoided due to its known effect on the drug’s metabolism. Regarding intake timing, the medication is taken on an empty stomach. If a dose is missed, the protocol is to skip the missed dose and return to the regular schedule without doubling the subsequent dose.
Population Adjustments Use of the medication involves dose reduction and careful monitoring for patients with hepatic impairment (liver dysfunction). Conversely, no dosage adjustment is generally required for individuals with normal or impaired renal function. The medication is not recommended for pediatric use.

This medication is defined by its specific administration constraints, particularly the once-daily oral regimen and the mandatory requirement to swallow the extended-release tablet intact. These instructions establish the standardized procedure for the initiation and long-term use of the therapy.

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Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies

Investigational Focus

Studies assessed the investigational compound's association with changes in X scores in patients with Z disorder. Research focused on the compound's mechanism in the central nervous system, which was explored in a range of preclinical models and initial human studies before Phase III trials were initiated.


Phase III Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)

The primary body of evidence is a 12-week Phase III Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) involving N=500 participants diagnosed with moderate-to-severe Z disorder.

  • Primary Outcome: An analysis evaluated the change in the frequency of Y episodes compared to placebo. The primary goal was to measure whether a statistically significant difference in episode frequency was observed between the active treatment group and the placebo group.
  • Secondary Outcomes:
    • Symptom Severity: Key research investigated the duration of effect on symptom Y severity, with some studies observing longer-term changes in a follow-up extension phase. The data gathered extended beyond the initial 12-week treatment period.
    • Quality of Life: Studies examined whether the combination was associated with changes in patients' quality of life, measured using validated survey instruments. The data was used to compare self-reported outcomes for individuals with Z disorder.

Other Research Findings

  • Administration: Studies investigated the effect of administration with food, exploring how its presence may influence the compound's absorption and plasma concentration levels.
  • Onset of Effect: Small studies evaluated the time to onset of change in X symptoms, focusing on the speed at which measured differences were first observed compared to baseline.
  • Patient Population: This therapeutic approach was assessed in clinical trials involving adults with Z disorder. Clinical trials did not include individuals with existing W conditions, limiting generalizability to that specific group.
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How should Depin Retard be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Depin Retard?

Depin Retard (nifedipine extended-release) must be stored according to official regulatory specifications to maintain its stability and effectiveness.


Required Storage Conditions

The medication must be stored at room temperature, generally defined as below 30°C. It is mandatory to protect the tablets from both light and moisture, as the active ingredient is sensitive to these environmental factors. For security and stability, keep the medicine in its original container, tightly closed, and out of the reach and sight of children and pets. Do not use the tablets after the expiration date printed on the package.


Disposal

Official instructions require the disposal of unused or expired product according to local regulations. Do not discard the tablets in household trash or wastewater unless specifically instructed by a local authority or pharmacist. Consult local guidelines for approved pharmaceutical collection methods.

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Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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