Clevidipine, Injection kle-VID-i-peen

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: calcium channel blocker

Generic and brand names: clevidipine, injection; Cleviprex

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is a calcium channel blocker that is given by IV infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large vein) to treat high blood pressure.

It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• an allergic reaction to soy or to egg products
• aortic stenosis (problems with a valve in your heart)
• heart problems, including heart failure
• high levels of cholesterol or triglycerides in your blood
• very low blood pressure

Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

This medicine is given by IV infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large vein). These infusions are given by your healthcare provider, usually in a hospital. You will be monitored closely while receiving this medicine.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine may make you dizzy or faint, especially if you get up quickly after sitting or lying down. Getting up slowly may help.

If you need emergency care or surgery, tell the healthcare provider you are taking this medicine.

After you stop receiving this medicine, your provider may prescribe a blood pressure medicine to take by mouth. You need regular checkups to check your progress. Keep all appointments. Take all medicines as directed by your healthcare provider.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Decreased urination; irregular, slow, or fast heartbeat; chest pain; swelling in your hands or feet, or any unexplained swelling; low blood pressure; fainting; severe dizziness; severe nausea; slurred speech; vision changes; trouble breathing; unexplained fever or sore throat.

Other: Headache; nausea; vomiting; redness, pain, or swelling at the injection site.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• alpha-1 blockers such as alfuzosin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), and terazosin (Hytrin)
• beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), betaxolol (Kerlone), bisoprolol (Zebeta), carteolol, esmolol (Brevibloc), metoprolol (Lopressor), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), and timolol
• medicines to treat erectile dysfunction such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra)
• natural remedies such as dong quai, ephedra, ginseng, garlic, St. John’s wort, and yohimbe
• NSAID pain relievers such as diclofenac (Voltaren), ibuprofen (Motrin), ketoprofen, naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox), and sulindac (Clinoril)

Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine unless your healthcare provider approves.

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.