Nicardipine Oral Capsule

Nicardipine is a calcium channel blocker drug. It’s used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).

This drug comes in the form of capsules that you take by mouth.

Nicardipine is available as an immediate-release generic drug. It’s no longer available as the brand-name drugs Cardene and Cardene SR (sustained-release).

The more common side effects of this drug include headache, nausea, dizziness, flushing, or swelling in the legs (edema).

If you have angina (chest pain) or heart failure and take this drug, your symptoms of these conditions may get worse.

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What is nicardipine?

Nicardipine is a prescription drug. It comes in the form of a capsule that you take by mouth.

Nicardipine is available as an immediate-release generic drug. It’s no longer available as the brand-name drugs Cardene and Cardene SR (sustained-release). Generic drugs usually cost less. In some cases they may not be available in every strength or form as the brand-name version. 

Nicardipine may be used as part of a combination therapy. This means you may need to take it with other drugs that reduce blood pressure. These may include beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, or diuretics.

Why it's used

Nicardipine is used to treat high blood pressure. Reducing high blood pressure can help prevent heart attack and stroke.

How it works

Nicardipine belongs to a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers.

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More Common Side Effects

The more common side effects that can occur with use of nicardipine include:

• swelling in the legs and feet (edema)

• headache

• flushing (reddening of the skin)

• irregular heartbeat (palpitations)

• nausea

• dizziness

Serious Side Effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 9-1-1 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

• worsening chest pain (angina)

• trouble breathing

• swelling of your throat or tongue

• hives

• slow heart rate

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history.

Nicardipine can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.

To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Alcohol interaction

Drinking alcohol while taking this drug raises your risk of low blood pressure. The risk is higher when you stand after sitting or lying down.

Medications that might interact with this drug

Immunosuppressants

Cyclosporine and tacrolimus are used to suppress the immune system. Taking nicardipine with cyclosporine or tacrolimus can increase the levels of these drugs in your body. This raises your risk of dangerous side effects.

Pain drugs (opioids)

Fentanyl is a type of opioid. Taking nicardipine with fentanyl raises your risk of very low blood pressure. This can cause side effects such as dizziness.

Stomach acid drugs

Cimetidine is used to treat stomach acid problems. When it’s used with nicardipine, it may increase the levels of nicardipine in your body. This raises your risk of side effects from nicardipine.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking. Nicardipine warnings

People with angina

If you take this drug, your angina symptoms may get worse. These symptoms include chest pain, nausea, tiredness, and dizziness.

People with heart failure

If you take this drug, your heart failure symptoms may get worse. This is because nicardipine may make your heart contract with less force as it beats. Symptoms of heart failure include shortness of breath, tiredness, or swelling in your legs or feet.

People with liver disease

Nicardipine is broken down and removed by the body through the liver. People who have liver disease may have increased blood levels of the drug and have more side effects, such as very low blood pressure and dizziness. Talk to your doctor about whether this drug is safe for you.

Pregnant women

Nicardipine is a category C pregnancy drug. That means two things:

1. Research in animals has shown adverse effects to the fetus when the mother takes the drug.
2. There haven’t been enough studies done in humans to be certain how the drug might affect the fetus.

Talk to your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. This drug should only be used if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Women who are breast-feeding

Nicardipine may pass into breast milk. It could cause serious side effects in a child who is breast-fed. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You should decide whether to stop breast-feeding or stop taking this drug.

Allergies

Nicardipine can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:

• trouble breathing
• swelling of your throat or tongue
• hives

If you have an allergic reaction, call your doctor or local poison control center right away. If your symptoms are severe, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal (cause death).

All possible dosages and forms may not be included here. Your doctor will tell you what dosage is right for you. Your dose, form, and how often you take it will depend on:

• your age
• the condition being treated
• how severe your condition is
• other medical conditions you have
• how you react to the first dose

What are you taking this medication for?

Hypertension

Generic: nicardipine

Form: Immediate-release oral capsule Strengths: 20 mg, 30 mg Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

The usual starting dose of nicardipine is 20 mg, three times per day. Your doctor may change your dosage based on how your body responds to the medication. The usual dose range is 20–40 mg three times per day.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

This drug hasn’t been studied in children. It shouldn’t be used in people younger than 18 years.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This increases your risk of side effects.

Your doctor may start you on a lowered dose or a different medication schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Special considerations

Kidney disease: You may be started on a lower dose of nicardipine. This drug is removed through your kidneys. Lowering the dose may prevent negative side effects.

Heart failure: If you need an increase in your dose, your doctor may raise it slowly. This can help prevent an increase in the side effects of heart failure.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always to speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you. Important considerations for taking nicardipine

Don’t crush, cut, or chew nicardipine capsules

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Store this drug carefully

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This prescription is refillable

Travel

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Self-management

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Clinical monitoring

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Hidden costs

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Are there any alternatives?