Description
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 to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.
This product is available in the following dosage forms:
- Solution
Before Using
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.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of nicardipine injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatrics-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of nicardipine injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney, liver, or heart problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving this medicine.
Breastfeeding
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.
Drug Interactions
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
- Clomipramine
- Clonidine
- Clopidogrel
- Cyclosporine
- Dantrolene
- Darunavir
- Dextroamphetamine
- Digoxin
- Epirubicin
- Fentanyl
- Haloperidol
- Itraconazole
- Ketoconazole
- Lacosamide
- Landiolol
- Lisdexamfetamine
- Melphalan
- Nirmatrelvir
- Ponesimod
- Ritonavir
- St John's Wort
- Tacrolimus
- Tramadol
- Vecuronium
- Voriconazole
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
- 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:
- Angina (severe chest pain) or
- Congestive heart failure—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
- Aortic stenosis (heart valve problem), severe—Should not be used in patients with this condition.
- 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.
Proper Use
A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given through an IV catheter that is placed into one of your veins.
Your doctor will give you a few doses of this medicine until your condition improves, and then switch you to an oral medicine that works the same way. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor.
Precautions
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood tests will be needed to check for unwanted effects.
This medicine may cause worsening of angina (chest pain) or heart failure. Check with your doctor right away if you have arm, back, or jaw pain, chest pain, discomfort, heaviness, or tightness, decreased urine output, fast or irregular heartbeat, swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs, trouble breathing, unusual tiredness or weakness, or weight gain.
This medicine may cause injection site reactions. Check with your doctor right away if you have bluish color, changes in skin color, pale skin, irritation, pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
Side Effects
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 suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- 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 the injection site
- blood in urine
- chills
- cold sweats
- 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 the hands, feet, or lips
- seizures
- trouble breathing
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
- 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
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- weakness
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
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.
DRG-20071694
