Nicardipine
Drug | Nicardipine |
Brand names | Cardene ® |
Indications | Hypertension, hypertensive emergency/crisis. Pregnancy induced hypertension. Angina pectoris Prinzmetal’s angina |
Mechanism of action | Nicardipine is a dihydropyridine calcium-channel blocker (CCB). Nicardipine inhibits the influx of extracellular calcium in the myocardial and peripheral vascular smooth muscle cell membranes, thus inhibiting the contraction of smooth muscle cells. As compared with nitroprusside, nicardipine induces relatively greater venodilation than arteriolar dilation. |
Effects | Nicardipine causes dilation of the coronary and systemic arteries, decreases total peripheral resistance, decreases systemic blood pressure, and decreases afterload. Nicardipine has antianginal and antihypertensive effects. |
Time to onset of action | 5 to 15 minutes |
Duration of action | 1.5 to 5 hours |
Delivery | IV |
Dose | 5–15 mg/hour IV infusion. Higher doses (up to 30 mg/hour) may be required in some patients. |
Adverse effects | Tachycardia. Headache. Flushing. Edema. Dizziness. |
Caution | Should be used cautiously in patients with myocardial ischemia and/or heart failure. |