Patient leaflet - Valni 20 Retard
1. What Valni is and what it is used for
The active ingredient in Valni is Nifedipine which is one of a group of medicines known as calcium channel blockers. These work by opening up the blood vessels and increasing the flow of blood to them.
Valni (Nifedipine 20 mg modified release tablets referred to as Valni throughout this leaflet) is used:
- To treat high blood pressure (hypertension)
- To prevent attacks of chest pain (angina) diagnosed by your doctor as chronic stable angina
Angina is caused by a narrowing of the arteries in the heart muscle. Chronic stable angina is a pattern of attacks of chest pain that are predictable and happen under certain conditions such as after exercise, stress or in cold weather.
2. What you need to know before you take Valni
Do not take Valni if:
- You are allergic to Nifedipine or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6)
- You are allergic to other similar medicines (known as dihydropydridine) such as Nicardipine, Amlodipine, Felodipine, Isradipine, Lacidipine or Nimodipine
- You suffer from narrowing of the valve in your heart (aortic stenosis)
- You have a sudden attack of chest pain (angina) or chest pain even at rest, which increases in severity (unstable angina)
- You have suffered a heart attack within the last month (acute myocardial infarction)
- You have a history of heart attacks (myocardial infarction)
- Your heart is damaged so that it is unable to supply sufficient blood to the body (cardiogenic shock)
- You are taking Rifampicin, medicine used to treat bacterial infections (See “Other medicines and Valni” section)
- Your blood pressure continues to rise despite treatment (malignant hypertension)
- You suffer from a liver disease that prevents your liver from working properly
- You currently have or have had an obstruction or narrowing in your intestines
- You have ever had an obstruction in the gullet (the oesophagus - the tube connecting the throat to the stomach)
- You have a Kock pouch (ileostomy after proctocolectomy)
- You suffer from inflammation of the bowel or intestines, such as Crohn’s disease
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor before taking Valni:
- If you suffer from low blood pressure. Your blood pressure may be decreased further by this treatment
- If you have a heart condition where your heart cannot cope with increased strain (poor cardiac reserve)
- If you are taking other medicine to treat high blood pressure, such as beta-blockers (See “Other medicines and Valni” section)
- If you experience chest pains when you first (within 1-4 hours) start taking Valni, contact your doctor immediately
- If you are given magnesium sulfate injections and you are pregnant [may cause a severe fall in blood pressure] (See “Other medicines and Valni” section)
- If you suffer from liver problems as a dose reduction may be necessary
- If you are diabetic. The treatment for your diabetes may need to be adjusted
- If you are on kidney dialysis and you have very high blood pressure or have problems with your circulation. A significant decrease in blood pressure could occur
If you are taking the following medicines as your blood pressure should be monitored and a reduction of Valni may need to be considered: (See “Other medicines and Valni” section)
o Erythromycin, quinupristin,dalfopristin (used to treat
bacterial infections)
o Ritonavir (used to treat HIV)
o Ketoconazole, itraconazole or fluconazole (used to treat fungal infections)
o Fluoxetine and Nefazodone (used to treat depression)
o Valproic acid (used to treat convulsions and epilepsy)
o Cimetidine (used to treat stomach ulcers)
- If you are pregnant (See “Pregnancy and breast-feeding” section)
- If you are a man who has been unable to father a child by In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF). Medicines like Valni have been shown to impair sperm function.
Other medicines and Valni
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. This includes herbal medicines.
Valni must not be taken with the following:
- Rifampicin, used to treat bacterial infections
Medicines which may interact with or be affected by Valni:
- Medicines used to as a muscle relaxant during surgery e.g. tubocurarine (anaesthetic). If you are due to have an operation, you should make sure that your anaesthetist knows you are taking Valni
- Medicines used to treat bacterial infections e.g. erythromycin, azithromycin (macrolide antibiotics) and quinupristin/dalfopristin (combination antibiotic)
- Medicines used to treat HIV e.g. ritonavir, Indinavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir or amprenavir
- Medicines used to treat fungal infections e.g. ketoconazole
- Medicines used to treat depression e.g. fluoxetine and nefazodone
- Medicines used to treat convulsions and epilepsy e.g. phenytoin, valproic acid and carbamazepine
- Medicines used to treat and prevent the recurrence of ulcers e.g. Cimetidine
- Medicines used to treat heart burn e.g. cisapride
- Medicines used to treat insomnia or anxiety e.g. phenobarbital
- Medicines used to treat high blood pressure e.g. atenolol (beta-blockers), diltiazem (calcium channel blocker), lisinopril (ACE inhibitors), indapamide (diuretics), tadalafil (PDE5 inhibitors), methyldopa (alpha-adrenergic agonists), losartan (angiotensin receptor antagonists)
- Medicines used to treat an irregularity in the heartbeat e.g. quinidine (arrhythmias)
- Medicines used to prevent the rejection of transplanted organs e.g. tacrolimus (immunosuppressants)
- Medicines used to treat heart problems such as heart failure e.g. digoxin
- Medicines used to treat asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and other lung and airway related problems e.g. theophylline (xanthine-derivative bronchodilators)
- If you are given magnesium sulfate injections and you are pregnant (may cause a severe fall in blood pressure)
- Urine tests: Valni may interfere with the results of certain urine tests
- Barium contrast x-ray (barium meal): Valni may affect the results of the test.
Valni with food and drink
Do not drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit whilst being treated with this medicine. Grapefruit juice can increase the amount of Nifedipine (the active ingredient in Valni) in the blood. This effect can last at least 3 days after having grapefruit juice.
Valni and alcohol
During treatment with Valni, it is advisable not to drink alcohol as this may cause you to feel sick, dizzy, extremely tired or suffer headaches (see “Driving and using machines section”).
Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility
Pregnancy
If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine. You may be able to use nifedipine but only after special consideration and agreement by your doctor.
Breast-feeding
Nifedipine has been shown to pass into breast milk in small amounts. It is not known if nifedipine might impact your baby. If you are breastfeeding or about to start breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before taking nifedipine or if you have any concerns about your baby whilst taking this medicine.
Fertility
In vitro fertilisation:
If you are a man and have been repeatedly unable to father a child by in vitro fertilisation (IVF), and no other explanation has been found, it is possible that your sperm function may be affected by medicines such as Valni.
Driving and using machines
Valni may make you feel sick, dizzy, extremely tired or suffer headaches. If any of these symptoms are experienced, do not drive or operate machinery or pursue any activity in which full attention is required.
These symptoms are more likely to occur when you first start treatment, change tablets or if you have drunk alcohol (see “Valni and alcohol” section).
Valni contains lactose
If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
PACKAGE LEAFLET:
INFORMATION FOR THE PATIENT
Valni 20 Retard
nifedipine
modified release tablets
Till-Ver.11 TIL00000000
As stated in design
Package leaflet
TBA
TW277351 (SPC)
UK
[All]
[NA]
TBA
9 points (Reg text)
TW224057 (SmPC) 01/10/2026
Black C Cutter
3. How to take Valni
Always take this medicine as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
- These tablets should be swallowed whole (not broken, chewed or crushed) with sufficient fluid (e.g. water)
- Do not drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit whilst being treated with this medicine (see “Valni with food and drink” section)
The recommended dose is:
Adults
The recommended starting dose is one tablet (20 mg) every 12 hours. Your doctor may increase the dose to two tablets (40 mg) every 12 hours.
Patients with liver problems
If you suffer from any liver problems, your doctor may need to adjust the dose and should monitor you carefully whilst you are being treated with Valni.
Elderly patients:
The dose may need to be adjusted (lowered)
Use in children
Valni is not recommended for use in children and adolescents below 18 years of age, because the safety and efficacy of Nifedipine (the active ingredient in Valni) has not been established.
If you have taken more Valni than you should
If you accidentally take too many tablets, contact your doctor or nearest hospital emergency department immediately for advice. Remember to take this leaflet or any remaining tablets with you. The symptoms of overdose include: very low blood pressure, fast/slow heartbeat, increased blood sugar level, increased acidity in the blood, low blood oxygen levels, heart problems, excess fluid in the lungs, a lack of consciousness to point of coma.
If you forget to take Valni
Take it as soon as you remember, unless it is nearly time for your next dose. If you miss a dose do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you stop taking Valni
Treatment with Valni should not be suddenly stopped. It is important that you keep on taking Valni for as long as your doctor has told you to. Do not stop taking the tablets even though you may feel better. Do not stop or change your treatment before talking to your doctor.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Stop taking Valni and seek medical advice immediately if you develop the following symptoms:
- Chest pain or worsening of existing chest pain (angina pectoris) within 1 - 4 hours of taking your first dose of this medicine
- Allergic reactions: swelling of the face, throat or tongue, fever, difficulty in breathing, dizziness
- Swelling of the deeper layers of the skin caused by a build-up of fluid (angioedema)
- Severe blistering of the skin, mouth, eyes and genitals (Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis) [TEN]
Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
- Headache
- Swelling of parts of the body, particularly the ankles (oedema)
- Constipation
- Widening of blood vessels (vasodilatation). (A distinct fall in blood pressure can occur in dialysis patients with malignant hypertension [very high blood pressure that comes on suddenly and quickly] and hypovolaemia [severe blood and fluid loss making the heart unable to pump enough blood to the body] as a result of vasodilation)
- Feeling unwell
Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
- Anxiety
- Sleep disorders
- Feeling of dizziness or “spinning” (vertigo)
- Severe headache (migraine)
- Shaking (tremors)
- Sight disturbances
- Faster heartbeat (tachycardia)
- Feeling your heartbeat (palpitations)
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Fainting (syncope)
- Blocked nose
- Nosebleed
- Stomach and abdominal pain
- Indigestion (dyspepsia)
- Feeling bloated/wind (flatulence)
- Dry mouth
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Temporary increase in liver enzymes (detected through blood test)
- Flushing of the skin (erythema)
- Muscle cramps
- Swelling of the joints
Increased production of urine (polyuria)
- Painful or difficult urination (dysuria)
- Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection
- Unspecific pain
- Chills
Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)
- Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet (paraesthesia) or abnormal sense of touch (dysaesthesia)
- Lack of energy (lethargy)
- Swelling of the gums (gingivitis/gingival hyperplasia) [reversible following withdrawal of this medicine]
- Itching (pruritus)
- Skin rashes with the formation of wheals (urticaria)
- Rashes
- Increased need to pass urine
Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)
- More prone to infections. This may be due to a severe reduction in number of white blood cells (agranulocytosis, leucopoenia)
- Increase in blood sugar levels (hyperglycaemia)
- Depression
- Decreased skin sensitivity to pain or touch (hypoaesthesia)
- Feeling sleepy or drowsy (somnolence)
- Eye pain
- Chest pain (angina)
- Breathlessness
- A solid mass of indigestible material that collects in your digestive tract, sometimes causing a blockage (bezoar)
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- Abdominal pain caused by obstruction of the gut or ulcers in the gut
- Heartburn caused by stomach acid coming up from the stomach into the gullet (gastroesophageal sphincter insufficiency)
- Being sick (vomiting)
- Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice)
- Abnormal sensitivity of the skin to sunlight (photosensitivity)
- Skin rash caused by small blood vessels bleeding into the skin (palpable purpura)
- Muscle pain (myalgia), joint pain (arthralgia)
- Excessive development of the male breast in older men (gynecomastia) [reversible following withdrawal of this medicine]
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at (www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard) or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Valni
- Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
- Store below 25°C. Store in the original package in order to protect from light.
- Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton/blister after “EXP”. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
- Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help to protect the environment.
- If you should notice any defects with these tablets such as discolouration and chipping you must take them to your pharmacist for advice before taking them.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Valni contains:
Each modified released tablet contains 20 mg of Nifedipine. The other ingredients are: microcrystalline cellulose, lactose, corn starch, talc, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, magnesium stearate, polysorbate 80, polyethylene glycol 4000, iron oxide (E172) and titanium dioxide (E171).
What Valni looks like and contents of the pack:
Valni Tablets are pale red, round, biconvex tablets with the marking NIF20 on one side.
Valni is available in:
Valni Tablets are available in packs of 28, 30, 56, 60, 84, 100, 250, 500 or 1000 tablets.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer:
Tillomed Laboratories Limited
220 Butterfield, Great Marlings
Luton, LU2 8DL, United Kingdom.
Product Licence Number: PL 11311/0458.
This leaflet was last revised in October 2026
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To get this information in large print or another format, please email medical.information@tillomed.com or call 0800 970 6115.