Rinfocan- Prescription Drug Information for Canadians
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(Generic Name)
BRAND NAME
Cardene, 20 mg
TYPE OF DRUG
Calcium channel blocker.
PRESCRIBED FOR
Angina pectoris; high blood pressure.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Nicardipine is one of several calcium channel blockers available in the United States;
some others are Diltiazem, Nifedipine, and Verapamil. These drugs work by slowing
the passage of calcium into muscle cells. This causes the muscles in the blood vessels
that supply your heart with blood to open wider, allowing more blood to reach heart
tissues. They also decrease muscle spasm in those blood vessels. Nicardipine also
reduces the speed at which electrical impulses are carried through heart tissue, adding
to its ability to slow the heart and prevent the pain of angina. It can help to reduce high
blood pressure by causing blood vessels throughout the body to widen, allowing blood
to flow more easily through them, especially when combined with a diuretic, beta
blocker, or other blood-pressure-lowering drug.
CAUTIONS AND WARNINGS
Nicardipine can slow your heart rate and interfere with normal electrical conduction in
heart muscle. For some people, this can result in temporary heart stoppage; people
whose hearts are otherwise healthy will not develop this effect.
PREGNANCY/BREAST-FEEDING
Large doses of calcium channel blockers may cause prolonged pregnancy and harm to
the fetus, including poor bone development and stillbirths. Nicardipine should be
avoided by pregnant women or women who may become pregnant while using it. In
situations where it is deemed essential, the potential risk of the drug must be carefully
weighed against any benefit it might produce.
Nursing mothers should watch their babies for any possible drug effect. It is not known
if Nicardipine passes into breast milk.
SENIORS
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of Nicardipine. Because of the
possibility of reduced kidney and/or liver function in older adults, they should receive
smaller doses than younger adults, beginning with 20 milligrams 2 to 3 times a day and
continuing with carefully increased doses.
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
The most common side effects of Nicardipine are abnormal heart rhythms, fluid
accumulation in the hands, legs, or feet, headache, fatigue, nausea, and skin rash.
Less common side effects include low blood pressure, dizziness, fainting, changes in
heart rate (increase or decrease), heart failure, light-headedness, nervousness, tingling
in the hands or feet, hallucinations, temporary memory loss, difficulty sleeping,
weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, upset stomach, itching, unusual sensitivity
to the sun, painful or stiff joints, liver inflammation, and increased urination, especially
at night.
DRUG INTERACTIONS
Taking Nicardipine with a beta-blocking drug to treat high blood pressure is usually
well tolerated but may lead to heart failure in susceptible people.
Calcium channel blockers, including Nicardipine, may add to the effects of Digoxin,
although this is not observed with any consistency and occurs only in people with a
large amount of Digoxin already in their systems.
Blood levels of Cyclosporine may be increased by Nicardipine, increasing the chance
for Cyclosporine-related kidney damage.
The effect of Quinidine may be altered by Nicardipine.
FOOD INTERACTIONS
Nicardipine is best taken on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after
meals, but it may be taken with food or milk if it upsets your stomach.
USUAL DOSE
60 to 120 milligrams per day.
OVERDOSAGE
The 2 major symptoms of Nicardipine overdose are very low blood pressure and
reduced heart rate. Nicardipine can be removed from the stomach by giving the victim
Syrup of Ipecac to induce vomiting, but this must be done within 30 minutes of the
actual overdose, before the drug can be absorbed into the blood. Once symptoms
develop or if more than 30 minutes have passed since the overdose, the victim must be
taken to a hospital emergency room for treatment.
SPECIAL INFORMATION
Call your doctor if you develop any of the following symptoms: swelling of the hands,
legs, or feet, severe dizziness, constipation or nausea, or very low blood pressure.
Some people may experience a slight increase in blood pressure just before their next
dose is due. You will be able to see this effect only if you use a home blood pressure
monitoring device. If this happens, contact your doctor at once.
If you forget to take a dose of Nicardipine, take it as soon as you remember. If it is
almost time for your next dose, skip the forgotten dose and continue with your regular
schedule.
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