What is nicardipine? What are the uses for nicardipine?
Nicardipine (Cardene, Cardene SR) belongs to a class of drugs referred to as calcium channel blockers (CCBs). Nicardipine is prescribed for the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension) and angina (heart pain).
What brand names are available for nicardipine?
Cardene, Cardene SR
Is nicardipine available as a generic drug?
GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes
Do I need a prescription for nicardipine?
Yes
What are the side effects of nicardipine?
Side effects include:
Fainting, over growth of the gums, and rash also may occur. It may increase heart rate due to a drop in blood pressure. Nicardipine sometimes causes an increase in the frequency and duration of angina. The reason for this side effect is not clearly understood. Excessively low blood pressure can occur in rare instances, especially during initiation of treatment or following adjustments of dosage.
What is the dosage for nicardipine?
The recommended dose of nicardipine for treatment of hypertension is 20-40 mg three times daily with conventional capsules or 30-60 mg twice daily with sustained release capsules. Intravenous infusion rates can range between 0.5 and 15 mg/hr. Chest pain is treated with 20-40 mg of conventional capsules three times daily.
Which drugs or supplements interact with nicardipine?
Rifampin, phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin, Dilantin-125), oxcarbazepine (suspension oral Trileptal; oral Trileptal) and carbamazepine (Tegretol, Tegretol XR , Equetro, Carbatrol) may reduce blood levels of nicardipine by increasing its metabolism (destruction) in the liver. Therapy should be monitored and drug doses should be adjusted accordingly when nicardipine is used with these drugs.
Itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconzole, or clarithromycin (Biaxin) may increase blood levels of nicardipine by reducing its breakdown in the liver and lead to toxicity from nicardipine.
Co-administration of nicardipine and cyclosporine results in increased cyclosporine blood levels. Cyclosporine blood levels should be monitored and its dosage reduced when taking nicardipine.
SLIDESHOW
How to Lower Blood Pressure: Exercise and Tips See SlideshowIs nicardipine safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
There are no adequate studies of nicardipine in pregnant women; Nicardipine has been used to treat the high blood pressure of preeclampsia during the third trimester of pregnancy.
Animal studies show that nicardipine is secreted in breast milk. Nicardipine should be avoided by nursing mothers.
What else should I know about nicardipine?
What preparations of nicardipine are available?
Capsules: 20 and 30 mg; Sustained release capsules:30 and 60 mg; Injection 0.1, 0.2 and 2.5 mg
How should I keep nicardipine stored?
Nicardipine should be stored at room temperature, 15 C to 30 C (59 F to 86 F), and protected from light.
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Summary
Nicardipine (Cardene, Cardene SR) belongs to a class of drugs referred to as calcium channel blockers (CCBs). Nicardipine is prescribed for the treatment of high blood pressure and angina (heart pain). Side effects, drug interactions, warnings and precautions, and patient information should be reviewed prior to taking any medication.
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Angina
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- amlodipine besylate
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- Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs)
- nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat, Afeditab)
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