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:
- swelling of the feet (edema),
- dizziness,
- headaches,
- flushing,
- palpitations, and
- nausea.
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.
QUESTION
Salt and sodium are the same. See AnswerIs 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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Related Disease Conditions
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High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)High blood pressure (hypertension) occurs due to the tightening or stiffness of very small arteries called arterioles. As a result, the heart pumps harder through the stiff or narrow arterioles, leading to elevated pressure inside the vessels. Hypertension is known as 'the silent killer' because it often goes unnoticed and may cause serious complications such as kidney diseases, heart diseases, heart failure, and stroke.
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Chest PainChest pain is a common complaint by a patient in the ER. Causes of chest pain include broken or bruised ribs, pleurisy, pneumothorax, shingles, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, angina, heart attack, costochondritis, pericarditis, aorta or aortic dissection, and reflux esophagitis. Diagnosis and treatment of chest pain depends upon the cause and clinical presentation of the patient's chest pain.
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Heart Disease (Coronary Artery Disease)Heart disease (coronary artery disease) occurs when plaque builds up in the coronary arteries, the vessels that supply blood to the heart. Heart disease can lead to heart attack. Treatment of heart disease involves control of heart disease risk factors through lifestyle changes, medications, and/or stenting or bypass surgery. Heart disease can be prevented by controlling heart disease risk factors.
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High Blood Pressure TreatmentHigh blood pressure (hypertension) means high pressure (tension) in the arteries. Treatment for high blood pressure include lifestyle modifications (alcohol, smoking, coffee, salt, diet, exercise), drugs and medications such as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, beta blockers, diuretics, calcium channel blockers (CCBs), alpha blockers, clonidine, minoxidil, and Exforge.
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Raynaud's PhenomenonRaynaud's phenomenon (disease) occurs due to spasms of blood vessels. Raynaud's phenomenon is a type of vascular disease characterized by color changes of the skin, most commonly after exposure to cold. The cause of Raynaud's phenomenon is unknown, although abnormal nerve control of blood-vessel diameter and nerve sensitivity to cold is suspected of being involved.
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Preeclampsia and EclampsiaPreeclampsia is a condition in pregnant women marked by high blood pressure and a high level of protein in the urine. Eclampsia occurs when preeclampsia goes untreated. Eclampsia can cause coma and death of the mother and baby. Preeclampsia symptoms include rapid weight gain, abdominal pain, headaches, blood in the urine, dizziness, and excessive vomiting and nausea. The only real cure for preeclampsia and eclampsia is the birth of the baby.
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Angina SymptomsClassic angina symptoms are described as chest pressure that radiates down the arm, into the neck or jaw and is associated with shortness of breath and sweating. Typical angina symptoms should be made worse with activity and should resolve or get better with rest. Angina may not have any pain and instead may present as shortness of breath with exercise, malaise, fatigue, or weakness.
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SclerodermaScleroderma is an autoimmune disease of the connective tissue. It is characterized by the formation of scar tissue (fibrosis) in the skin and organs of the body, leading to thickness and firmness of involved areas. Scleroderma is also referred to as systemic sclerosis, and the cause is unknown.
Treatment & Diagnosis
Medications & Supplements
- amlodipine besylate
- Drugs: Questions to Ask Your Doctor or Pharmacist about Your Drugs
- Drug Interactions
- Types of High Blood Pressure Medications
- Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs)
- diltiazem (Cardizem, Cardizem CD, Cardizem LA, Tiazac, Cartia XT, Diltzac, Dilt-CD, and several oth)
- nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat, Afeditab)
- verapamil (Calan, Verelan, Verelan PM [Discontinued: Isoptin, Isoptin SR, Covera-HS])
- felodipine (Plendil)
- Side Effects of Cardene (nicardipine)
- bepridil (Vascor)
Prevention & Wellness
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.