Type of medicine: calcium channel blocker
Generic and brand names: nicardipine sustained release, oral; nicardipine, injection; nicardipine, oral; Cardene; Cardene IV; Cardene SR
This medicine is a calcium channel blocker. It is taken by mouth to treat:
This medicine may also be 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.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
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.
You must take this medicine every day to control your blood pressure or to avoid chest pains. Take this medicine regularly for as long as prescribed, even if you feel better. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. You may need to take this medicine for the rest of your life. Take it at the same time each day to help you remember.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more of it or take it more often than prescribed.
This medicine may come in different forms. Do not break, crush, or chew extended-release forms of this medicine. Swallow the tablets or capsules whole, with plain water only. Your pharmacist can tell you if you have extended-release tablets or capsules.
If you need shots of this medicine, usually you will receive them in a hospital or clinic. Your healthcare provider may want you to have an electrocardiogram.
Most forms of this medicine should be taken on an empty stomach, 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Follow the directions on the label of your medicine bottle carefully.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: chest pain; slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat; dizziness; fainting; drowsiness; weakness; confusion; slurred speech; flushing; seizures; coma.
Your healthcare provider will want to see you regularly to check your progress and may adjust your dosage.
This medicine may make you dizzy or faint, especially if you get up quickly after sitting or lying down. Getting up slowly may help.
Contact your healthcare provider if you continue to have chest pain after taking this medicine for a while.
You may have headaches when you first start taking this medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if headaches continue or get worse.
If you need emergency care or surgery, tell the healthcare provider you are taking this medicine.
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; low blood pressure; fainting; severe dizziness; severe nausea; slurred speech; vision changes.
Other: Flushing, weakness, sleepiness, muscle cramps, nervousness, cough, constipation, increased heart rate, headache, trouble sleeping, mild dizziness, dry mouth, diarrhea, nausea, stuffy nose.
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:
Beta blockers are sometimes prescribed with this medicine. However, some people have heart problems when they take this medicine with a beta blocker. Be sure your healthcare provider knows if you are taking a beta blocker, especially if it was prescribed by another healthcare provider.
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine unless your healthcare provider approves.
Do not take this medicine with high-fat meals or with grapefruit juice because they can cause a dangerous increase in the effects of this medicine. Take this medicine with plain water. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
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.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
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.
