Nicardipine capsules or sustained-release capsules

What are nicardipine capsules or sustained-release capsules?

NICARDIPINE (Cardene®) is a calcium-channel blocker. It affects the amount of calcium found in your heart and muscle cells. This results in relaxation of blood vessels, which can reduce the amount of work the heart has to do. Nicardipine (regular capsules only) reduces attacks of chest pain (angina), and helps reduce high blood pressure (hypertension). It is not a cure. Generic nicardipine regular capsules are available. Generic nicardipine sustained-release capsules are not yet available.

What should my health care professional know before I take nicardipine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• heart problems, low blood pressure, slow or irregular heartbeat

• liver disease

• previous heart attack

• over 65 years old

• an unusual or allergic reaction to nicardipine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?

Take nicardipine capsules by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the capsules whole with a drink of water, do not crush or chew the sustained-release capsules. Take on an empty stomach. Fatty foods can interfere with the action of nicardipine. Avoid taking nicardipine with grapefruit juice or grapefruit. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often then directed. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Elderly patients over 65 years old may have a stronger reaction to this medicine and need smaller doses.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose (less than 6 to 8 hours if you are taking sustained-release capsules), take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with nicardipine?

Do not take Nicardipine with any of the following:

• astemizole

• cisapride

• grapefruit juice

• pimozide

• terfenadine

Nicardipine may also interact with the following medications:

• alcohol

• alosetron

• antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen)

• barbiturates such as phenobarbital

• bosentan

• certain antibiotics (clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin, troleandomycin)

• certain medicines used to treat cancer

• certain medicines to treat migraine (ergotamine, dihydroergotamine, methysergide)

• cilostazol

• cimetidine

• cyclosporine

• female hormones, including contraceptive or birth control pills

• fentanyl

• galantamine

• herbal or dietary supplements such as ginkgo biloba, ginseng, hawthorn, ma huang (ephedra), melatonin, St. John's wort, red yeast rice

• local anesthetics or general anesthetics

• medicines for anxiety or difficulty sleeping (examples: alprazolam, buspirone, midazolam, triazolam)

• medicines for depression or mental problems (fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, nefazodone, ziprasidone)

• medicines for fungal infections (fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole)

• medicines for heart-rhythm problems (amiodarone, digoxin, disopyramide, dofetilide, flecainide, quinidine)

• medicine for high blood pressure or heart problems

• medicines for high cholesterol (atorvastatin, cerivastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin)

• medicines for HIV infection or AIDS

• medicines for prostate problems

• medicines for seizures (carbamazepine, clonazepam, ethosuximide, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, zonisamide)

• methadone

• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (Azilect®, Eldepryl®, Emsam®, Marplan®, Nardil®, Parnate®, Zelapar™)

• paricalcitol

• rifampin, rifapentine, or rifabutin

• sildenafil

• sirolimus

• tacrolimus

• warfarin

• water pills (diuretics)

• yohimbine

• zafirlukast

• zileuton

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking nicardipine?

Check your blood pressure and pulse rate regularly; this is important while you are taking nicardipine. Ask your prescriber or health care professional what your blood pressure and pulse rate should be and when you should contact him or her.

You may feel dizzy or lightheaded. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how nicardipine affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells, do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Alcohol can make you more dizzy, increase flushing and rapid heartbeats. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

Do not suddenly stop taking nicardipine. Ask your prescriber or health care professional how to gradually reduce the dose.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking nicardipine.

What side effects may I notice from taking nicardipine?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• fast heartbeat, palpitations, irregular heartbeat, chest pain

• difficulty breathing

• dizziness

• fainting spells, lightheadedness

• swelling of the legs and ankles

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• facial flushing

• headache

• weakness or tiredness

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature, approximately 25 degrees C (77 degrees F). Protect from light and moisture. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Nicardipine injection

What is nicardipine injection?

NICARDIPINE (Cardene®) is a calcium-channel blocker. It affects the amount of calcium found in your heart and muscle cells. This results in relaxation of blood vessels, which can reduce the amount of work the heart has to do. Nicardipine infusions are for the short-term treatment of high blood pressure, when the patient is not able to take oral (by mouth) therapy. Generic nicardipine injections are not yet available.

What should my health care professional know before I receive nicardipine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• heart problems, low blood pressure, slow or irregular heartbeat

• liver disease

• pheochromocytoma

• previous heart attack

• over 65 years old

• suffered a stroke

• an unusual or allergic reaction to nicardipine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Nicardipine is for infusion into a vein. It is usually given by a health-care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

What drug(s) may interact with nicardipine?

Do not take Nicardipine with any of the following:

• astemizole

• cisapride

• grapefruit juice

• pimozide

• terfenadine

Nicardipine may also interact with the following medications:

• alcohol

• alosetron

• antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen)

• barbiturates such as phenobarbital

• bosentan

• calcium salts (intravenous)

• certain antibiotics (clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin, troleandomycin)

• certain medicines used to treat cancer

• certain medicines to treat migraine (ergotamine, dihydroergotamine, methysergide)

• cilostazol

• cimetidine

• cyclosporine

• female hormones, including contraceptive or birth control pills

• fentanyl

• galantamine

• herbal or dietary supplements such as ginkgo biloba, ginseng, hawthorn, ma huang (ephedra), melatonin, St. John's wort, red yeast rice

• local anesthetics or general anesthetics

• medicines for anxiety or difficulty sleeping (examples: alprazolam, buspirone, midazolam, triazolam)

• medicines for depression or mental problems (fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, nefazodone, ziprasidone)

• medicines for fungal infections (fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole)

• medicines for heart-rhythm problems (amiodarone, digoxin, disopyramide, dofetilide, flecainide, quinidine)

• medicine for high blood pressure or heart problems

• medicines for high cholesterol (atorvastatin, cerivastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin)

• medicines for HIV infection or AIDS

• medicines for prostate problems

• medicines for seizures (carbamazepine, clonazepam, ethosuximide, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, zonisamide)

• methadone

• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (Azilect®, Eldepryl®, Emsam®, Marplan®, Nardil®, Parnate®, Zelapar™)

• paricalcitol

• rifampin, rifapentine, or rifabutin

• sildenafil

• sirolimus

• tacrolimus

• warfarin

• water pills (diuretics)

• yohimbine

• zafirlukast

• zileuton

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking nicardipine?

You may feel dizzy or lightheaded. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how nicardipine affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells, do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Alcohol can make you more dizzy, increase flushing and rapid heartbeats. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

What side effects may I notice from receiving nicardipine?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• fast heartbeat, palpitations, irregular heartbeat, chest pain

• difficulty breathing

• dizziness

• fainting spells, lightheadedness

• pain, redness, swelling or irritation at the injection site

• swelling of the legs and ankles

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• facial flushing

• headache

• weakness or tiredness

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

After mixing the infusion solution use within 24 hours. Throw away any unused infusion solution.