Dihydropyridine calcium-channel blocker
Nicardipine hydrochloride
Brand names: Cardene
Adult dose
Dose: PO 20mg TDS, increase to 30mg TDS. IV (hypertensive emergency): 5–15 mg/h infusion
Route: PO/IV
Frequency: TDS or infusion
Clinical pearls
- IV nicardipine alternative to labetalol/clevidipine for hypertensive emergency
- Useful for blood pressure control in subarachnoid haemorrhage
Contraindications
- Cardiogenic shock
- Unstable angina
- Recent MI
- Severe aortic stenosis
- Pregnancy/breastfeeding
Side effects
- Headache
- Flushing
- Tachycardia
- Ankle oedema
Interactions
- Strong CYP3A4 modulators
- Other antihypertensives
Monitoring
- BP
- HR
Reference: BNF; ESC; https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/nicardipine-hydrochloride/. Verify against your local formulary and the latest BNF before prescribing.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Calculators
Drugs
Pathways
- Acute Heart Failure · ESC 2021 Heart Failure Guidelines; NICE NG106
- NSTEMI / Unstable Angina · ESC 2020 NSTEMI Guidelines; NICE NG185
- New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation · ESC 2020 AF Guidelines; NICE NG196
- Hypertensive Emergency · ESC/ESH 2018 Hypertension Guidelines; NICE NG136
- Bradycardia Management · Resuscitation Council UK ABCDE; ESC 2021 Pacing Guidelines
- Ventricular Tachycardia / Fibrillation · Resuscitation Council UK ACLS; ESC 2022 Ventricular Arrhythmia Guidelines