Cardene

Generic Name: nicardipine (Intravenous route)

nye-kar-di-peen

Commonly used brand name(s):

In the U.S.

• Cardene
• Cardene IV

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antihypertensive

Pharmacologic Class: Calcium Channel Blocker

Chemical Class: Dihydropyridine

Uses For Cardene

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 Cardene

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 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 in the elderly .

Pregnancy

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.

Interactions with Medicines

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.

• Levomethadyl

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.

• Amiodarone
• Atazanavir
• Dantrolene
• Droperidol
• Fentanyl
• 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.

• Acebutolol
• Alprenolol
• Atenolol
• Betaxolol
• Bevantolol
• Bisoprolol
• Bucindolol
• Carteolol
• Carvedilol
• Celiprolol
• Cyclosporine
• Dalfopristin
• Dilevalol
• Esmolol
• Fluconazole
• Indinavir
• Itraconazole
• Ketoconazole
• Labetalol
• Levobunolol
• Magnesium
• Mepindolol
• Metipranolol
• Metoprolol
• Nadolol
• Nebivolol
• Oxprenolol
• Penbutolol
• Pindolol
• Propranolol
• Quinupristin
• Rifapentine
• Saquinavir
• Sotalol
• St John's Wort
• Talinolol
• Tertatolol
• Timolol

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

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. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

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 nicardipine

This section provides information on the proper use of a number of products that contain nicardipine. It may not be specific to Cardene. Please read with care.

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 Cardene

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 .

Cardene 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:

• Blurred vision
• confusion
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly
• sweating
• unusual tiredness or weakness

• 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

• 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:

• 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:

• 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.

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