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nifedipine (Darbelan 10)

✓ Approved

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. · CACNA1C · Small Molecule

What is nifedipine?

nifedipine is a small molecule developed by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.. It is approved for therapeutic indications via oral (po).

Drug Profile

Brand NamesDarbelan 10
CompanyTeva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
Drug ClassSmall Molecule
Molecular TargetCACNA1C
RouteOral (PO)
StatusApproved
Sources: ClinicalTrials.gov, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

Mechanism of Action

Molecular Targets

nifedipine acts on 1 molecular target:

CACNA1Ccalcium voltage-gated channel subunit alpha1 C (CACNL1A1, CACNA1C-IT2)
Want deeper analysis?Noah AI can explain complex mechanisms and compare to similar drugs.

Therapeutic Indications

nifedipine is developed for 2 unique indications across 2 therapeutic areas.

Therapeutic AreaConditionPhase
Cardiac disordersAngina pectoris✓ Approved
Vascular disordersHypertension✓ Approved

Related Research Articles

PubMedPregnancy (Hoboken, N.J.)2026-10-07

Postpartum blood pressure trends and time in target range during remote blood pressure monitoring.

Shim Sarah S, Tessier Katelyn M KM, Wernimont Sarah A SA, Corlin Tiffany T et al.

Postpartum remote blood pressure monitoring (RBPM) programs have emerged as an important adjunct to the management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). These programs have demonstrated robust patient participation and satisfaction with reduced readmissions and severe maternal morbidity. Despite this, data describing blood pressure (BP) trends throughout program participation and across different antihypertensive regimens remain limited. We sought to evaluate BP trends and time in target range (TTR) during our 6-week RBPM program. This is a retrospective cohort study of postpartum individuals participating in an RBPM program from November 2023 through December 2024. This program utilizes a standardized nurse (RN)-driven protocol for antihypertensive medication initiation and titration to achieve a goal BP of <140/90 mmHg. Target range was defined as SBP (systolic BP) 100-139 mmHg and DBP (diastolic BP) 60-89 mmHg. The primary outcomes were BP trend and TTR throughout program participation stratified by antihypertensive medication at discharge. The cohort included 465 individuals. Mean BPs were <140/90 mmHg for all groups for each program week. Most participants were within the target range throughout with TTR between 80.3% and 90.4%. Of participants, 175 (81.4%) were prescribed nifedipine monotherapy and 40 (18.6%) labetalol monotherapy. Mean BP trends were within goal for both groups; however, those discharged with nifedipine spent more TTR (nifedipine 87.5% vs. labetalol 80.3%, p = 0.03). There were no significant differences in rates of severe hypertension or hypotension; however, those on nifedipine experienced fewer elevated BPs and fewer patients who were discharged on nifedipine required antihypertensives at 6 weeks postpartum (nifedipine 35.7% vs. labetalol 73.5%, p < 0.001; adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.11-0.61). Postpartum RBPM is an important tool for postpartum care. Utilization of a standardized RN-driven protocol for antihypertensive medication initiation and titration can result in optimal BP management irrespective of medication regimen at discharge. These data suggest that nifedipine may be associated with more rapid and sustained achievement of target BPs throughout 6 weeks postpartum compared to labetalol.

PMID 42840939
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PubMedFrontiers in pharmacology2026-10-06

Calcium channel blocker-associated pulmonary toxicity: epidemiology, mechanisms, and clinical management.

Jiang Qiu Q, Cui Wen-Hui WH, He Jia-Yi JY, Xie Zhi-Qi ZQ et al.

Calcium channel blockers are first-line medications for the treatment of hypertension, angina pectoris, and arrhythmias, and are generally well-tolerated. However, in recent years, there have been reports indicating that CCBs may cause severe pulmonary toxicity, such as non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema and acute respiratory distress syndrome. This article employs a comprehensive review methodology to systematically summarize the clinical types, incidence, risk factors, mechanisms of injury, and management strategies for CCB-related pulmonary toxicity. Current evidence indicates that pulmonary toxicity is extremely rare at standard therapeutic doses; however, the incidence increases significantly in cases of acute overdose and among specific populations (pregnant women, patients with underlying cardiopulmonary diseases). Pharmacovigilance studies have identified significant signals suggesting an association between nifedipine, diltiazem, and verapamil to pulmonary edema, with amlodipine having the highest number of related clinical reports. Major risk factors include drug overdose, pregnancy, underlying cardiopulmonary disease, and differences among CCB subclasses. Toxicity associated with dihydropyridine CCBs is primarily characterized by vasodilatory shock, whereas non-dihydropyridine CCBs exhibit a combination of cardiac depressant and vasodilatory effects. Mechanisms involve hemodynamic changes, increased capillary permeability, inflammatory activation, and alveolar epithelial dysfunction. Early recognition, drug discontinuation, selection of vasoactive agents based on the type of shock, and life support are key to improving prognosis.

PMID 42835333
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PubMedInternational journal of dentistry2026-10-04

Nifedipine Induces FAM20A Upregulation and LRP2/CUBN-Mediated Fetuin-A Accumulation in Gingival Overgrowth.

De la Rosa Isaac I, Baker Amina A, Cannaya Vidjeacoumary V, Rodríguez-Cavallo Erika E et al.

Nifedipine-induced gingival overgrowth (NIGO) has been linked to fibrotic remodeling of the gingiva, yet whether FAM20A and Fetuin-A contribute to this process is unknown. Here we ask whether their expression is altered in NIGO and, if so, whether nifedipine itself drives this change. We examined gingival biopsies from 18 patients under long-term nifedipine treatment and 17 unaffected controls by immunofluorescence, western blotting, and RT-qPCR. In parallel, human gingival fibroblasts (hGF) were exposed to 100 ng/mL nifedipine for either 48 h or 7 days to test for direct drug effects on FAM20A, FAM20C, Fetuin-A, alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and the endocytic receptors LRP2 and CUBN. Protein expression was graded semiquantitatively, and group differences were considered significant at p  < 0.05. Both FAM20A and Fetuin-A were markedly overexpressed in fibrotic NIGO gingiva. Nifedipine exposure raised FAM20A expression in hGF, yet left Fetuin-A unchanged at either the transcript or protein level-an apparent contradiction that prompted us to examine its receptors, LRP2 and CUBN. These were barely detectable in healthy gingiva but abundant in NIGO tissue, where Fetuin-A colocalized with LRP2; nifedipine reproduced this induction of LRP2/CUBN in cultured hGF. Together, these findings point to enhanced Fetuin-A endocytosis, rather than increased synthesis, as the source of its accumulation in NIGO. TGFβ signaling was not activated under any nifedipine treatment condition tested. FAM20A, Fetuin-A, and the LRP2/CUBN endocytic pair emerge as central molecular players in NIGO. Our data indicate that nifedipine drives FAM20A upregulation and boosts LRP2/CUBN-dependent Fetuin-A uptake through a TGFβ-independent route, offering a new mechanistic view of NIGO and pointing to candidate targets for future therapeutic strategies.

PMID 42829507
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PubMedFrontiers in pharmacology2026-10-02

Drug-induced hyperglycemia in obstetrics: key offending drugs, mechanisms, and practical management.

Xu Jingyi J, Nguyen Thu Nguyet TN, Liu Tianwen T, Jiang Fengjun F et al.

Drug-induced hyperglycemia is an important metabolic complication that may arise when medications disrupt insulin secretion, insulin sensitivity, or glucose homeostasis. In obstetric practice, several commonly used drugs, including glucocorticoids, progesterone, antihypertensive agents, tocolytic drugs, and immunosuppressants, may impair glycemic control to varying degrees, and prolonged exposure may even lead to drug-induced diabetes mellitus. These effects are particularly important in pregnant women with pregestational diabetes, gestational diabetes, obesity, or other risk factors for dysglycemia. We systematically reviewed the literature from major databases over the past decade on the association between commonly used obstetric medications and hyperglycemia, with a focus on glucocorticoids, beta-adrenergic agonists, tacrolimus, nifedipine, and indomethacin. Evidence from clinical studies, case reports, and mechanistic investigations was summarized. Among the drugs reviewed, glucocorticoids, beta-adrenergic agonists, and tacrolimus showed relatively prominent diabetogenic effects, mainly through increased insulin resistance, β-cell dysfunction, and reduced insulin secretion. In contrast, nifedipine and indomethacin appeared to have less clinically significant effects on blood glucose. The use of high-risk agents during pregnancy was associated with a higher incidence of hyperglycemia and increased complexity of glycemic management. Early identification of high-risk drugs and high-risk patients, together with individualized glucose monitoring and timely intervention, may reduce related complications and improve medication safety during pregnancy. Further prospective studies are warranted to define safe thresholds across different gestational stages and maternal conditions.

PMID 42824339
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PubMedJournal of microencapsulation2026-09-28

Fabrication and statistical optimisation of Nifedipine-loaded alginate nanoparticles using honey as a natural stabilizer.

Keche Pradyumna P, Patil Ganesh G, Jain Swapnil S

Nifedipine (NF) is widely used to manage hypertension and angina. However, its poor aqueous solubility limits oral delivery, warranting sustained, pH-responsive release systems. This study fabricated and optimised NF-loaded alginate nanoparticles (NF-loaded Alg-NPs) using honey as a green, natural stabiliser. NPs were prepared by ionotropic gelation and optimised via a 32 factorial design. The optimised formulation showed a mean particle size of 437 ± 4.58 nm, zeta potential of -10.98 ± 0.12 mV, and entrapment efficiency of 84.5 ± 0.8%. FTIR, XRD, DSC, and SEM confirmed successful, largely amorphous drug entrapment. Release was markedly pH-dependent and best fit by the Hixson-Crowell model (R2 = 0.9557), consistent with erosion-mediated transport. Six-month accelerated stability studies confirmed acceptable retention of particle size and entrapment efficiency. These findings establish honey as a viable, eco-friendly stabiliser for pH-responsive NF nanoparticles, with relevance to other poorly water-soluble drugs.

PMID 42803300
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PubMedUltrasound in obstetrics & gynecology : the official journal of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology2026-09-28

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound to facilitate uterine involution: prospective multicenter study on clinical efficacy and mechanistic insights.

Liu H-L HL, Xie L-M LM, Wang J J, Zou H H et al.

To assess the clinical efficacy and safety of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) in facilitating uterine involution after delivery and mitigating postpartum complications, and to explore its molecular mechanisms of action through both in-vitro and in-vivo experimental animal models. This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial was conducted across three centers in China from January 2023 to December 2024. Participants were randomized to a LIPUS group or a control group. The LIPUS group received treatment at 0.8 MHz with a spatial peak-temporal average intensity of 2.0 W/cm2, focal area of 0.09-0.12 cm2 and pulse duration of 4 ms, for 30 min daily over 10 consecutive days, starting 2 h after delivery. The control group received sham treatment with identical parameters but no acoustic output. The primary outcome, percentage reduction in uterine volume on post-treatment day 10, measured using transabdominal three-dimensional ultrasonography, was compared between the two groups. Secondary outcomes, including the incidence of postpartum complications (secondary postpartum hemorrhage and puerperal infection), duration of lochia and indices of uterine involution (fundal height descent index and uterine dimensions) were also compared. For in-vivo experiments, uterine tissues from postpartum Sprague-Dawley rats that had undergone LIPUS or sham treatment were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin staining for morphology, and immunohistochemistry and Western blotting to assess distribution of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and oxytocin receptor (OTR) proteins and to quantify their expression. For in-vitro experiments, uterine tissue strips from untreated rats were exposed to LIPUS or sham treatment ex vivo for contractility measurement using a BL-420F biological signal acquisition system. Primary uterine smooth-muscle cells (USMCs) from untreated rats were exposed to LIPUS or sham irradiation in vitro and assessed for intracellular calcium ions (Ca2+) by fluorescence imaging and flow cytometry, and for ET-1 and OTR expression by Western blotting. To assess calcium-channel involvement, nifedipine (an L-type calcium-channel antagonist) was included in the contractility and flow cytometry experiments, establishing four treatment groups: control, LIPUS alone, nifedipine alone and LIPUS + nifedipine. For in-vivo and in-vitro experiments, results were compared between the LIPUS-treated and control groups; for the contractility and flow cytometry assays, comparisons were made among all four groups. In total, 1106 participants were enrolled, with 553 assigned randomly to the control group and 553 to the LIPUS group. After exclusions, 528 women in the LIPUS group and 530 in the control group were included in the final analysis. Compared with controls, the LIPUS-treated participants showed a significantly greater percentage reduction in uterine volume and fundal height descent index, shorter lochia duration, reduced uterine dimensions and a lower incidence of secondary postpartum hemorrhage and puerperal infection (all P < 0.05). In-vitro experiments demonstrated that LIPUS was significantly associated with increased contractility of rat uterine tissue strips and elevated intracellular Ca2+ levels in USMCs (P < 0.001); these effects were attenuated by nifedipine but partially restored by LIPUS. Expression levels of ET-1 and OTR were also significantly higher in LIPUS-treated uterine tissue and USMCs compared with controls (P < 0.05). LIPUS application is significantly associated with reduced uterine volume and fewer postpartum complications, suggesting its potential to promote uterine involution. This effect may be mediated through enhanced Ca2+ influx and upregulation of ET-1 and OTR in USMCs. These findings support the potential of LIPUS as a non-invasive approach to improve postpartum outcomes. © 2026 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

PMID 42802640
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