Nifedipine hypertensive urgency

Given the seriousness of the reported adverse events and the lack of any clinical documentation attesting to a benefit, the use of nifedipine capsules for hypertensive urgencies or emergencies should be abandoned (JAMA 1996 276 1328-1331)... 

Schwartz M, Naschitz JE, Yeshurun D, Sharf B. Oral nifedipine in the treatment of hypertensive urgency cerebrovascular accident following a single dose. Arch Intern Med 1990 150(3) 686-7. 

Sunderji R, Shalansky KF, Beauchesne MF, Fung A. Is there a role for nifedipine in hypertensive urgencies Can J Hosp Pharm 1999 52 167-70. 

Oral or sublingual immediate-release nifedipine has been used in the office setting, nursing homes, and hospitals for acute BP lowering but is potentially dangerous. This approach produces a rapid reduction in BP. Immediate-release nifedipine should never be used for hypertensive urgencies because of reports of severe adverse events such as myocardial infarctions and strokes. ... 

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