The Department of Health and Social Care has issued a Medicines Supply Notification for nifedipine (Fortipine® LA) 40mg modified-release (MR) tablets, which are currently out of stock. The resupply date is yet to be confirmed. 

Actions for prescribers

• Do not initiate Fortipine® LA 40mg for new patients. 
• Where supply is insufficient, switch to alternative nifedipine 20mg MR tablets or Coracten® SR 20mg capsules (both twice daily).
• Specify the brand to be dispensed, counsel on the change, and monitor closely during the switch to ensure blood pressure/angina symptoms remain controlled. 
• Consider gelatin content (formulation suitability).
• If Fortipine® LA 40mg is being used ‘off label’ for other indications, assess and consider on a case-by-case basis if it is appropriate to switch the patient to a twice daily regimen of an alternative brand. 

For further details, clinicians should refer to the Specialist Pharmacy Service Medicines Supply Tool MSN 2025/064 .

ScriptSwitch® messages have been enabled to provide information on this shortage to support primary care.