nicardipine capsule – oral, Cardene

Medication Uses: Nicardipine is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. It is a calcium channel blocker that relaxes blood vessels, allowing for easier blood flow. Nicardipine is also used to prevent certain types of chest pain (angina) and improve exercise ability. This medication should be taken regularly for it to be effective. It is not meant to be used for immediate relief of chest pain. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How To Use: Take this medication by mouth, usually 3 times a day with or without food, or as directed by your doctor. The dosage will be based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Side Effects: Common side effects include dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, flushing, and swelling of the ankles/feet. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Severe side effects such as fainting, fast/irregular/pounding heartbeat, and vision changes are rare but should be reported to your doctor immediately. This medication may rarely worsen chest pain or cause a heart attack in individuals with severe heart disease. Seek medical help immediately if you experience worsening chest pain or symptoms of a heart attack. Allergic reactions to this drug are rare but should be addressed immediately. Symptoms may include rash, itching/swelling, severe dizziness, and trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of side effects. If you notice any other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions: Before taking nicardipine, inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients that can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Discuss with your pharmacist for more information. This medication should not be used if you have a certain structural heart problem. Before using this medication, inform your doctor or pharmacist of your medical history, especially of liver disease and kidney disease. It is important to limit alcoholic beverages and avoid activities that require alertness until you are sure you can perform them safely. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk, so consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions: Before using this medication, inform your doctor or pharmacist about all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you use, especially cyclosporine. Other medications may affect the removal of nicardipine from your body, potentially affecting its effectiveness. Check the labels of all your medicines for ingredients that could increase your blood pressure or heart rate. Cimetidine, a nonprescription drug commonly used for stomach acid, may interact with nicardipine. Consult your pharmacist for alternatives. This is not a complete list of drug interactions. Be sure to inform your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use.

Overdose: If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents can call a provincial poison control center.

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Notes: Do not share this medication with others. Discuss with your doctor ways to improve your lifestyle such as stress reduction programs, exercise, and dietary changes to enhance the effectiveness of this medication. Regular blood pressure monitoring is recommended. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual schedule. Store this medication at room temperature, away from light and moisture. Follow the storage instructions provided by the manufacturer. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Medical Alert: Enroll in MedicAlert for emergency assistance. For more information, visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

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.

Selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First Databank, Inc. This material is not for distribution.

Conditions of use: The information in this database is intended to supplement the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Consult your healthcare professional before taking any drug or changing your treatment.