Lacidipine Tablets

High blood pressure is a common condition that often has no obvious symptoms but significantly increases the risk of serious cardiovascular events if left unmanaged. Lacidipine tablets are a prescription-only calcium channel blocker used in adults for the treatment of hypertension. Lacidipine works by relaxing blood vessel walls to lower blood pressure and reduce the strain on the cardiovascular system. A prescription can only be issued following a clinical consultation.

Lacidipine tablets are an oral prescription medicine containing lacidipine as the active ingredient. Lacidipine belongs to the dihydropyridine class of calcium channel blockers. Medicines in this class work by acting on calcium channels in blood vessel walls to produce vasodilation and lower blood pressure.

Lacidipine is licensed in the UK for the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure) in adults. Unlike some other calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine, lacidipine is not licensed for the treatment of angina. Its sole licensed indication is hypertension. Lacidipine is available in two strengths: 2 mg and 4 mg tablets.

Lacidipine is a long acting calcium channel blocker. It has a slow onset of action, which means blood pressure lowering effects develop gradually after the first dose and build up over a period of weeks. This gradual onset is associated with a lower incidence of the acute flushing and rapid heart rate that can occur with some shorter acting dihydropyridine medicines.

Lacidipine lowers blood pressure by acting on calcium channels in the walls of blood vessels. Understanding this mechanism can help patients feel confident about their treatment.

Calcium Channels and Vascular Smooth Muscle

Calcium plays an essential role in muscle contraction. In the smooth muscle cells that line blood vessel walls, calcium enters through voltage dependent channels, triggering the muscle to contract and the vessel to narrow. The resulting narrowing of blood vessels increases the resistance against which the heart pumps, raising blood pressure.

Lacidipine and Vasodilation

Lacidipine selectively blocks these voltage dependent calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle. By preventing calcium from entering, lacidipine stops the contraction signal and allows the smooth muscle to relax. The blood vessels widen, peripheral vascular resistance falls, and blood pressure decreases as a result. This process is called vasodilation.

Lacidipine has a high degree of selectivity for vascular smooth muscle compared to cardiac muscle. This means it produces its blood pressure lowering effect predominantly through its action on blood vessels rather than by directly slowing the heart. As an antihypertensive medication, lacidipine lowers both systolic and diastolic blood pressure with once daily dosing. The blood pressure lowering effect builds gradually over several weeks of treatment and is maintained with consistent daily use.

Always take lacidipine exactly as your prescriber instructs. The information below summarises key points from the current UK SmPC. Read the Patient Information Leaflet supplied with your medicine before starting treatment.

• Take one tablet once daily, at the same time each day.
• Lacidipine should be taken in the morning.
• Take the tablet with food. The SmPC advises that lacidipine should be taken with or just after a meal.
• Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the tablet.
• If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember on the same day. If you only remember the following day, skip the missed dose and continue with your normal schedule. Do not take two doses on the same day.
• Do not stop taking lacidipine without speaking to your prescriber first. High blood pressure often has no symptoms, and stopping treatment can cause blood pressure to rise again.
• Blood pressure control develops over several weeks with lacidipine. Do not be concerned if you do not notice an immediate effect. Your prescriber will review your blood pressure at follow up appointments and may adjust your dose if needed.

Lacidipine is available in two strengths. The appropriate strength will be determined by your prescriber based on your blood pressure readings and your response to treatment.

Lacidipine 2 mg Tablets

The 2 mg tablet is the standard starting dose for most adults beginning lacidipine treatment. The usual starting dose is 2 mg once daily. This low starting dose allows the prescriber to assess the patient's blood pressure response and tolerability before any increase is considered. Starting low and increasing gradually is particularly important with lacidipine given its cumulative blood pressure lowering effect over time.

Lacidipine 4 mg Tablets

If blood pressure is not adequately controlled after three to four weeks on the 2 mg dose, the prescriber may increase the dose to 4 mg once daily. The 4 mg dose is the dose most patients will be maintained on for ongoing blood pressure control. The maximum recommended daily dose is 6 mg, which may be achieved in some patients by prescribing a 2 mg and a 4 mg tablet together. All dose adjustments are clinical decisions made by your prescriber. Do not change your dose without medical advice.

Dose titration should be slow and gradual with lacidipine, allowing several weeks between dose increases. Your prescriber will guide you through this process and arrange blood pressure reviews as needed.

Like all medicines, lacidipine can cause side effects, although not everyone experiences them. The information below is based on the current UK SmPC. Refer to the Patient Information Leaflet for the full list of side effects.

Common Side Effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

• Headache, particularly at the start of treatment
• Flushing or a feeling of warmth
• Oedema (swelling, particularly of the ankles and lower legs). This is a recognised class effect of dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers and is related to the vasodilatory action of lacidipine.
• Palpitations (awareness of your heartbeat) or a faster heart rate
• Dizziness

Uncommon Side Effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

• Nausea or abdominal discomfort
• Skin rash or itching
• Fatigue
• Low blood pressure, which may cause dizziness on standing

Serious Side Effects: Seek Urgent Medical Attention

Contact your prescriber or go to your nearest accident and emergency department promptly if you experience:

• Signs of a severe allergic reaction such as sudden swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing, or a severe skin reaction
• Severe or worsening chest pain. Although lacidipine is not licensed for angina, worsening chest pain in a patient taking any calcium channel blocker warrants prompt medical assessment.
• Severe low blood pressure causing fainting or collapse

Report any suspected side effect to your prescriber, or via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk.

Lacidipine Tablets May Be Suitable If You:

• Are an adult aged 18 or over with a confirmed diagnosis of hypertension
• Require antihypertensive medication as part of a cardiovascular therapy plan for blood pressure control
• Are already prescribed lacidipine and require a repeat prescription through an online prescribing service

Lacidipine Tablets Are Not Suitable If You:

• Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Lacidipine is not recommended for use during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking lacidipine, contact your prescriber immediately so that a safe alternative can be considered.
• Are breastfeeding
• Have aortic stenosis (a narrowing of the main valve leaving the heart)
• Have unstable angina or have had a heart attack within the preceding four weeks
• Have uncompensated heart failure
• Have a known allergy or hypersensitivity to lacidipine, other dihydropyridines, or any excipient listed in the SmPC
• Are under 18 years of age

Tell your prescriber about all medicines you take, including over the counter products and herbal supplements. The following interactions are of particular clinical importance:

• CYP3A4 inhibitors such as itraconazole, ketoconazole, erythromycin, clarithromycin, and HIV protease inhibitors: these can increase lacidipine blood levels significantly and may enhance or prolong its blood pressure lowering effect.
• CYP3A4 inducers such as rifampicin, phenytoin, carbamazepine, and phenobarbitone: these can reduce lacidipine blood levels and may reduce its effectiveness in controlling blood pressure.
• Ciclosporin: lacidipine may increase ciclosporin blood levels. Monitoring is required if both medicines are used together.
• Other antihypertensive medicines including beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, and diuretics: combining these with lacidipine may enhance the blood pressure lowering effect.
• Cimetidine: may increase lacidipine blood levels.

Your prescriber will carry out a full clinical assessment, including a review of your current medicines, before any prescription is considered.

Lacidipine is a Prescription Only Medicine. The clinical consultation is the essential first step. A prescription will only be issued if a registered prescriber concludes, based on their individual assessment of your circumstances, that lacidipine is clinically appropriate for you.

During your online consultation with Pharmacy Planet, a registered prescriber will review the information you provide. This includes your blood pressure history, current medicines, any relevant cardiac or vascular conditions, and other aspects of your medical history. Based on this assessment, the prescriber will decide whether lacidipine is appropriate, which strength is suitable, or whether a different approach is more appropriate for your cardiovascular therapy needs.

If you are under the care of your GP or a specialist for hypertension or heart health, please keep them informed of any medicines prescribed through online services. This supports safe and coordinated BP regulation and cardiovascular care.

• Store below 30°C.
• Store in the original packaging to protect from light and moisture.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not use after the expiry date printed on the packaging.
• Do not dispose of medicines via household waste or wastewater. Return unused or out of date tablets to your pharmacist for safe disposal.
• Full storage instructions are provided in the Patient Information Leaflet supplied with your medicine.

The table below compares calcium channel blocker tablets. Dihydropyridines (such as amlodipine and nifedipine) act mainly on blood vessels. Non-dihydropyridines (verapamil and diltiazem) also slow the heart rate and have antiarrhythmic properties.

Important: This comparison is for general information only and does not replace medical advice. A prescriber will decide which treatment is suitable for you following an online consultation.

Pharmacy Planet is a GPhC-registered online pharmacy providing access to prescription medicines through a clinically led consultation process. Our registered prescribers and pharmacists are committed to patient safety, clinical accuracy, and responsible prescribing.

We follow GPhC standards, MHRA guidance, and ASA advertising regulations in all aspects of our service. Every prescription is reviewed and dispensed by qualified healthcare professionals. We provide clear, factual information to help patients understand their antihypertensive medication and make informed decisions about their health.

If you have questions about lacidipine, blood pressure control, or your cardiovascular therapy, our pharmacy team is available to help. We are committed to transparent, patient centred care.

References

1. Electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC). Lacidipine 2 mg and 4 mg tablets — Summary of Product Characteristics. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc. Accessed May 2026.
2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Hypertension in adults: diagnosis and management. NICE guideline NG136. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng136. Accessed May 2026.
3. NHS. High blood pressure (hypertension). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-pressure-hypertension. Accessed May 2026.
4. Joint Formulary Committee. British National Formulary (BNF). Lacidipine. BMJ Group and Pharmaceutical Press. https://bnf.nice.org.uk. Accessed May 2026.
5. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Yellow Card — report a side effect. https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk. Accessed May 2026.