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| Pronunciation |
|
 (nye
KAR de
peen) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Cardene®; Cardene® I.V.;
Cardene®
SR |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
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| Ridene (Mexico) |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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|
Calcium Channel Blocker |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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|
- If you have an allergy to nicardipine or any other part of the
medicine.
- If you have advanced aortic
stenosis.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is used for the treatment of high blood pressure and/or
chest pain from the heart. This is called angina.
- It can also be used to prevent migraine
headaches.
|
|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- Nicardipine blocks certain channels in blood vessels that cause
relaxation. This results in a lowering of blood pressure and an increased blood
flow to the heart, resulting in less chest
pain.
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|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- Take on an empty stomach.
- Swallow sustain release capsules whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
- Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit
juice.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
- Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with
healthcare provider.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Wear disease medical alert identification for heart disease.
- If you are are taking this medicine for heart disease, limit alcohol
intake (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Can increase blood pressure.
- Do not use over-the-counter products that increase blood pressure.
These include cough or cold remedies, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like
products, and certain herbs or supplements. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Feeling tired or lightheaded. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or
activities that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects
you.
- Dizziness is common. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or
lying position. Be careful climbing stairs.
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Swelling of legs.
- Flushing.
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| What should I monitor? |
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|
- Check blood pressure regularly.
- Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare
provider. If medicine is for high blood pressure (low salt).
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Severe headache.
- Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
- Chest pains, fast heartbeats, shortness of breath, or decreased
ability to walk.
- Any rash.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store in a tight container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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