Commonly prescribed nifedipine linked to sudden cardiac arrest risk

A medication that is frequently prescribed in the UK has been linked to sudden cardiac arrests.

Called nifedipine, the medication is used to treat high blood pressure and angina.

Research has found that people taking high doses of nifedipine (60 mg/day or more) may be at a higher risk of experiencing an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, according to tctMD.

Scientists compared two separate registries of data.

One set, from the Netherlands, showed there was a 45% increased risk, while one from Denmark found that the risk was nearly doubled.

In the Netherlands study, data from 2,503 patients who had experienced sudden cardiac arrest were compared to 10,543 healthy individuals.

They noted that the increased risk was not seen in people who were taking amlodipine, a drug from the same class called Dihydropyridines.

Researchers found the risk is nearly doubled with some dosages (Getty Stock)

According to Eurekalert, Dr Hanno Tan, a cardiologist from the Academic Medical Centre in Amsterdam said: "Nifedipine and amlodipine are often used by many cardiologists and other physicians, and the choice often depends on the prescriber's preference and personal experience."

He added: "Both drugs are generally considered to be equally effective and safe, and neither has been associated with sudden cardiac arrest. This study suggests that high-dose nifedipine may increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest due to fatal cardiac arrhythmia, while amlodipine does not."

He If these findings are confirmed in other studies, they may have to be taken into account when the use of either drug is considered."

However, in 2019, the European Heart Rhythm Association Congress was told that lower doses of nifedipine, or of any other amlodipine did not carry the same risk.

The European Society of Cardiology spokesperson Elena Arbelo agreed and told TCTMD that more research needs to be done: "I would be very cautious in sounding the alarm now, I wouldn’t come out with a specific recommendation for general practitioners or for the general population saying ‘stop giving the drug’ because it’s too early to do that."

The medication is most frequently prescribed to deal with high blood pressure (Getty Stock)

Another clinical research paper examined the effect different dosages of nifedipine had on mortality rates.

The conclusion found that 'in patients with coronary disease, the use of short-acting nifedipine in moderate to high doses causes an increase in total mortality,' and stressed that there is little information to be found about the long term impact on patients.

According to Knowridge, drugs like nifedipine work by relaxing blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily.

The correlation came as a surprise to researchers because this medication has been used by millions of people around the world, safely, for many years.

Patients are advised to talk to their doctors if they have any concerns about taking the medication.