Cardene Side Effects: An Introduction
As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with
Cardene® (
nicardipine hydrochloride). However, not everyone who takes the medication will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. When side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Cardene. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of Cardene side effects with you.)
Common Cardene Side Effects
Cardene has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials, in which the side effects of a group of people taking the drug are documented and then compared to the side effects of another group not taking the medicine.
As a result, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.
In these studies, the most common Cardene side effects included:
- Flushing -- in up to 9.7 percent of people
- Headaches -- up to 8.2 percent
- Swelling or water retention in the lower legs or feet -- up to 8 percent
- Dizziness -- up to 6.9 percent
- Weakness -- up to 5.8 percent
- Feelings of a rapidly or forcefully beating heart (palpitations) -- up to 4.1 percent
- A fast heart rate (tachycardia) -- up to 3.4 percent.
Other common side effects (occurring in 1 to 3 percent of people) included:
- Nausea
- Drowsiness
- Indigestion
- Muscle pain
- Unusual sensations, such as burning or tingling (paresthesias)
- Dry mouth (see Cardene and Dry Mouth).
