Table of contents:
- What Drug Nicardipine?
- What is nicardipine for?
- How do I use nicardipine?
- How is nicardipine stored?
- Nicardipine dosage
- What is the dose of nicardipine for adults?
- What is the dose of nicardipine for children?
- In what dosage is nicardipine available?
- Nicardipine side effects
- What side effects can be experienced due to nicardipine?
- Nicardipine Drug Warnings and Cautions
- What should be known before using nicardipine?
- Is nicardipine safe for pregnant and lactating women?
- Nicardipine Drug Interactions
- What medicines may interact with nicardipine?
- Can food or alcohol interact with nicardipine?
- What health conditions may interact with nicardipine?
- Nicardipine overdose
- What should I do in an emergency or overdose?
- What should I do if I miss a dose?
What Drug Nicardipine?
What is nicardipine for?
Nicardipine is a drug used with or without other drugs to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering high blood pressure will help prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. Nicardipine is referred to as a calcium channel blocker. It works by relaxing the blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily.
Nicardipine is also used to prevent certain types of chest pain (angina). This medication can help to increase your ability to exercise and decrease the frequency of angina attacks. This medicine must be taken regularly to work effectively. This medicine should not be used to treat chest pain attacks when the condition occurs. Use another medication (such as sublingualnitroglycerin) to relieve the bouts of chest pain as directed by your doctor. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for a more detailed analysis.
How do I use nicardipine?
Take this medication usually 3 times a day with or without food or as directed by your doctor.
Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Your doctor can gradually increase your dose. Follow the doctor's instructions carefully.
Use this remedy regularly for optimal benefits. To help you remember, use it at the same times each day. Continue to take this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high blood pressure don't feel sick.
Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or gets worse (such as blood pressure that remains high or increases, your chest pain is more frequent or gets worse).
Follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
How is nicardipine stored?
This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.
Nicardipine dosage
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.
What is the dose of nicardipine for adults?
Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension
Oral:
Immediate Release
Initial dose: 20 mg orally 3 times a day
Maintenance dose: 20-40 mg orally 3 times a day
Sustained Release
Initial dose: 30 mg orally twice a day
Maintenance dose: 30 to 60 mg orally twice a day
IV infusion
In lieu of oral therapy, the following IV infusion rates are required to produce a mean plasma level corresponding to the oral dose administered on standby:
20 mg orally every 8 hours equivalent to 0.5 mg / hour by IV infusion
30 mg orally every 8 hours is equivalent to 1.2 mg / hour by IV infusion
40 mg orally every 8 hours is equivalent to 2.2 mg / hour by IV infusion
For alternative treatment in patients not receiving oral nicardipine
Initial dose: 5 mg / hour by IV infusion. The infusion rate can be increased by 2.5 mg / hour every 5 to 15 minutes (titrate rapidly and gradually) to a maximum of 15 mg / hour, until the desired decrease in blood pressure is desired. The infusion rate should be reduced to 3 mg / hour after the desired blood pressure using rapid titration has been achieved.
Usual Adult Dose for Prophylactic Angina Pectoris
Oral:
Immediate Release
Initial dose: 20 mg orally 3 times a day
Maintenance dose: 20-40 mg orally 3 times a day
Sustainer Release
Initial dose: 30 mg orally twice a day
Maintenance dose: 30 to 60 mg orally twice a day
IV infusion:
The following IV infusion rates are required to produce a mean plasma level according to the oral dose administered at standby:
20 mg orally every 8 hours equivalent to 0.5 mg / day IV infusion
30 mg orally every 8 hours equivalent to 1.2 mg / day IV infusion
40 mg orally every 8 hours is equivalent to 2.2 mg / day IV infusion
Usual Adult Dose for Congenital Heart Failure
Oral:
Immediate Release
Initial dose: 20 mg orally 3 times a day
Maintenance dose: 20-40 mg orally 3 times a day
Sustained Release
Initial dose: 30 mg orally twice a day
Maintenance dose: 30 to 60 mg orally twice a day
IV infusion:
The following IV infusion rates are required to produce a mean plasma level according to the oral dose administered at standby:
20 mg orally every 8 hours equivalent to 0.5 mg / day IV infusion
30 mg orally every 8 hours equivalent to 1.2 mg / day IV infusion
40 mg orally every 8 hours is equivalent to 2.2 mg / day IV infusion
What is the dose of nicardipine for children?
The dosage for children has not been determined. Consult your doctor for more information.
In what dosage is nicardipine available?
Solution, injection: 2.5 mg / mL.
Nicardipine side effects
What side effects can be experienced due to nicardipine?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: nausea, vomiting, sweating, hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, or feel like you might pass out.
Stop using nicardipine and call your doctor if you have any of the following serious side effects:
- the head feels light, like you might pass out
- pounding or fast heartbeat in the chest
- severe or persistent chest pain
Less serious side effects may include:
- headache, dizziness
- swelling in your leg
- weakness
- flushing (warmth, redness, or tingling feeling)
- nausea, stomach pain
Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Nicardipine Drug Warnings and Cautions
What should be known before using nicardipine?
Before using nicardipine,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to nicardipine or any other medications
- tell your doctor and pharmacist any prescription and nonprescription drugs you use, especially carbamazepine (Tegretol); cimetidine (Tagamet); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); fentanyl (Duragesic); heart and blood pressure medications such as beta-blockers, digoxin (Lanoxin), diuretics ("water pills"), and quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex); medicine to treat glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye); phenytoin (Dilantin); ranitidine (Zantac); theophylline (Theo-Dur); and vitamins
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart, liver, or kidney disease
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using nicardipine, call your doctor
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about using nicardipine.
Is nicardipine safe for pregnant and lactating women?
There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:
- A = No risk,
- B = not at risk in several studies,
- C = May be risky,
- D = There is positive evidence of risk,
- X = Contraindicated,
- N = Unknown
There are not sufficient studies in women to find out the risk to the baby when the mother takes this drug during breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits and potential risks before taking this medication during breastfeeding.
Nicardipine Drug Interactions
What medicines may interact with nicardipine?
Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.
Can food or alcohol interact with nicardipine?
Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.
What health conditions may interact with nicardipine?
The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, such as:
- aortic stenosis (narrowing of the valve in your heart), severe. Should not be used in patients with this condition
- congenital heart failure. Use with care. Can make this condition worse
- Kidney illness
- liver disease. Use with care. Side effects can increase due to the slow clearance of the drug from the body
- stroke, recently had a drop in blood pressure. May result in decreased effectiveness of this drug.
Nicardipine overdose
What should I do in an emergency or overdose?
In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.
What should I do if I miss a dose?
If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
