Q: I take Nifedipine 20 mg tablets every day for Blood Pressure. Nefedipine tablets are blocking the calcium formation in the blood veins. Can I take liquid calcium or plain Calcium 500 mg capsules/tablets as antioxidant alongwith Nifedipine tablets in the morning?

A:It is true that drugs such as nifedipine are called calcium channel blockers. However this refers to their mode of pharmacological action. They do not "block" the formation of calcium in the body in any way whatsoever. Therefore there is absolutely no need to take calcium supplements merely because of nifedipine consumption. Since you are taking just one dose of nifedipine 20 mg, I presume you are taking a slow release formulation (such as Nicardia Retard 20 mg) because any plain nifedipine will not have 24-hour effect.