Let's take a minute to talk about your medication. 

This is nifedipine. It relaxes blood vessels and certain muscles, especially when they have spasms or contractions. This makes it useful in treating several conditions. For example, it can help treat chest pains that happen when the blood vessels in the heart have spasms. 

You should take nifedipine exactly as directed. If you are taking it several times a day, be sure to space your doses evenly. You should not eat anything with grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice with this medicine. Also, always swallow the capsule whole and do not crush or chew. 

Most people tolerate this medicine well. Some common side effects could occur, including mild flushing, nausea, headache, weakness or dizziness. These effects are normal if they are mild, and should go away. You should wait until you know how this medicine affects you before doing activities that require you to be alert, like driving. Also, you could have swelling in your lower legs. If this happens, be sure to let your doctor know. But don't suddenly stop taking it unless your doctor says it's okay. 

As with any medicine, rare but more serious side effects could occur. With nifedipine, these include low blood pressure or problems with your blood or liver. You should call your doctor right away if you notice any unusual changes to your body, or if your condition gets worse instead of better. To help keep this medicine safe for you, your doctor will follow you closely and may order blood tests. 

You should always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking other medicines, even if they do not require a prescription. 

For best results with nifedipine, follow your doctor's advice about other ways to help your condition.