Before taking Cardioplen, you should always first consult your doctor. You should not take Cardioplen if any of the following apply to you: if you are pregnant. if you are allergic to Cardioplen or any of the other ingredients of this medicine. if you suffer from uncompensated heart failure. if you have acute myocardial infarction (heart attack). if you have chest pain, or angina that is lasting for more than 15 minutes or is more severe than usual. if you have disease of a heart valve or heart muscle. Your prescription of Cardioplen may also be affected by a number of other factors, so you should make your doctor aware if any of the following apply: have liver problems. have low blood pressure. Like many medications with active ingredients, Cardioplen can affect or be affected by other medicines. Particular medications that you may experience this with include the following: cimetidine (medicine to treat gastric ulcers). erythromycin (medicine to treat infections). itraconazole (medicine to treat fungi). ketoconazole (medicine to treat fungi). medicines to treat HIV infection. phenytoin (medicine to treat epilepsy). carbamazepine (medicine to treat epilepsy). rifampicin (medicine to treat infections). barbiturates (medicine to treat anxiety, sleeping problems and epilepsy). tacrolimus (medicine used in organ transplantations). St John’s wort (herbal product). If you are taking any of the above medications, then you should make your doctor aware so that they can advise whether or not Cardioplen will be the best course of action for you. Like with all sufferers of high blood pressure or angina, you should pair your medication with some lifestyle changes such as eating healthily, exercising regularly and avoiding excessive smoking or drinking. You should stay away from grapefruit and grapefruit juice while on Cardioplen, as it’s been proven to interact with the medication and can lower your blood pressure too much. Cardioplen can also cause swollen gums so ensure to practice good oral hygiene to prevent this. The most common side effects of using Cardioplen include: Ankle swelling. Headache. Flushing. Abnormally rapid heart rate. Palpitations. Too low blood pressure. Nausea. Abdominal pain. Burning/prickling/numbness. Rash or itching. Fatigue. Dizziness. If you do experience one or more of these side effects and they persist or worsen, then inform your doctor right away. You should also contact your doctor if you notice any serious side effects, such as lumps on the skin, difficulty swallowing or swelling of the face.