Pronunciation:

nye-kar-di-peen

Brand Names:

• Cardene
• Cardene IV

Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Classifications:

Therapeutic—

Cardiovascular Agent

Pharmacologic—

Calcium Channel Blocker

Chemical—

Dihydropyridine

Uses of This Medicine:

Nicardipine is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure adds to the workload of the heart and arteries. If it continues for a long time, the heart and arteries may not function properly. This can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, resulting in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. High blood pressure may also increase the risk of heart attacks. These problems may be less likely to occur if blood pressure is controlled .

Nicardipine is a calcium channel blocker. It works by affecting the movement of calcium into the cells of the heart and blood vessels. As a result, nicardipine relaxes blood vessels and increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart while reducing its workload .

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription .

Before Using This Medicine:

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies—

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Children—

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of nicardipine in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established .

Older adults—

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatrics-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of nicardipine in the elderly .

Breast-feeding—

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Other medicines—

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Levoketoconazole

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Atazanavir
• Carbamazepine
• Clopidogrel
• Cyclosporine
• Dantrolene
• Darunavir
• Digoxin
• Droperidol
• Epirubicin
• Fentanyl
• Itraconazole
• Lacosamide
• Melphalan
• St John's Wort
• Tacrolimus
• Vecuronium

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Dalfopristin
• Fluconazole
• Indinavir
• Ketoconazole
• Magnesium
• Quinupristin
• Rifapentine

Other interactions—

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Other medical problems—

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Aortic stenosis (narrowing of a valve in your heart), severe—Should not be used in patients with this condition .

• Chest pain (angina) or
• Congestive heart failure or
• Heart disease or
• Pheochromocytoma (adrenal gland tumor)—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse .

• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease—Use with caution. The effects of this medicine may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body .

• Stroke, recent—Blood pressure–lowering effects of this medicine may be increased

Proper Use of This Medicine:

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given through a needle placed into one of your veins .

Precautions While Using This Medicine:

Your doctor will only give you a few doses of this medicine until your condition improves, and then you will be switched to another medicine that works the same way. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor .

Side Effects of This Medicine:

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Blurred vision

confusion

dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly

sweating

unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at site

blood in urine

chills

cold sweats

convulsions

decreased urine

dry mouth

extra heartbeat

fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse

frequent urination

increased thirst

increased volume of pale, dilute urine

irregular heartbeat

loss of appetite

mood changes

muscle pain or cramps

nausea or vomiting

numbness or tingling in hands, feet, or lips

shortness of breath

Rare

Arm, back, or jaw pain

black, tarry stools

bleeding gums

blood in urine or stools

bone pain

burning, dry, or itching eyes

changes in skin color

chest pain

chest tightness or heaviness

convulsions

discharge, excessive tearing

feeling of warmth or heat

flushing or redness of skin, especially on face and neck

headache, sudden and severe

increased need to urinate

nervousness

pain, tenderness, or swelling of foot or leg

passing urine more often

pinpoint red spots on skin

pounding in the ears slow or fast heartbeat

redness, pain, or swelling of eye, eyelid, or inner lining of eyelid

swelling around the eyes or the whole face

troubled breathing

unusual bleeding or bruising

weakness

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

Sleepiness

slurred speech

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Rare

Acid or sour stomach

belching

continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in ears

excessive muscle tone

fever

hearing loss

heartburn

indigestion

lack or loss of strength

muscle stiffness

muscle tension or tightness

neck pain

stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

wheezing

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.