Nicardipine (oral/injection)

Nicardipine (oral) is used in adults either by itself or with other medicines to treat high blood pressure or chest pain (angina).

Nicardipine (injection) is used in adults to treat high blood pressure.

Nicardipine may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

You should not use nicardipine if you have severe narrowing of the aortic valve in your heart (aortic stenosis).

You should not use nicardipine if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• severe narrowing of the aortic valve in your heart (aortic stenosis).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• other heart conditions such as congestive heart failure or coronary artery disease;
• low blood pressure;
• brain injury or bleed;
• liver disease; or
• kidney disease.

It is not known if nicardipine will harm an unborn baby. However, having high blood pressure during pregnancy may cause complications or medical problems for both the mother and baby. The benefit of treating high blood pressure may outweigh any risks to the baby.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Some side effects may happen during the injection. Tell your medical caregivers if you feel dizzy, nauseous, light-headed, itchy, sweaty, or have a headache, chest tightness, back pain, trouble breathing, or swelling in your face.

You may experience more severe or more frequent episodes of chest pain when you first start taking nicardipine, or whenever your doses change.

Nicardipine may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have:

• chest pain;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might faint;
• heart problems—swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath; or
• fast or uneven heart rate.

Common side effects of nicardipine may include:

• headache, dizziness, weakness;
• low blood pressure, fast heartbeats;
• swelling in your feet;
• flushing (sudden warmth, redness, or tingly feeling); or
• nausea, vomiting.

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may happen. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Nicardipine oral is taken by mouth.

Nicardipine injection is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Nicardipine is usually given by injection only if you are unable to take medicine by mouth.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often and you may need frequent blood tests.

If you have high blood pressure, keep using nicardipine even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.

Do not change your dose or stop taking any medication without your doctor's advice.

Store tightly closed at room temperature, away from moisture, heat and light.

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is close to the time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at the same time.

In a medical setting, it is unlikely that you will miss a dose of nicardipine injection.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include irregular heartbeats, flushing (sudden warmth, redness, or tingly feeling), drowsiness, confusion, and slurred speech.

• Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

Sometimes, it is not safe to take certain medicines together. Some drugs can change the levels of other drugs in your blood, which may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective.

Other drugs may affect nicardipine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you are using.