Nifedipine (Tensipine MR10) 10mg MR tab: Discontinuation

Why is this happening?

No supplier has been willing to supply an approved version of this strength and presentation of nifedipine. We expect stock of this product will run out in November 2025. 

Product being delisted 

• Chemical: Nifedipine
• Presentation: Tab long-acting 10 mg
• Brand: Tensipine MR10
• Pharmacode: 2603217 
• Subsidy: $19.42
• Measure / Qty: per 56

This is an unapproved medicine, it needs to be supplied under section 29 of the Medicines Act. The subsidy has been restricted to people who were taking it before 1 July 2023. 

This only affects the 10 mg long-acting nifedipine (Tensipine MR10). All other strengths remain available.

In 2023, we recommended that prescribers begin moving people away from this product because we could not secure ongoing supply. 

People who take Tensipine MR10 

You will need to talk to the person who prescribed your nifedipine tablets. They will work with you to find another treatment that works for you.

Prescribers

Prescribers need to transition all patients currently taking nifedipine 10mg long-acting tablets (Tensipine MR10) to alternative treatments by November 2025. 

Alternatives 

Calcium-channel blockers in the Schedule(external link)

NZ Formulary guidance on calcium-channel blockers(external link)

Guide to treat pre-eclampsia and hypertension in pregnancy | Health NZ(external link)

We have received clinical advice that the 20 mg nifedipine MR must not be halved to get the Tensipine MR10 effect. This causes acute hypotension (equivalent to having 10mg immediate-acting nifedipine).

Pharmacists

Please talk to anyone you dispense Tensipine MR10 tablets to. Let them know that their medicine will likely not be available after November 2025. They will need to talk to their prescriber before then. We have a flier that you can use to support this discussion.  

Who to contact

If you have questions about this issue, email enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz

Please include as much information as you can about the product (presentation, brand, Pharmacode) and who your wholesaler is.

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