Precautions and Warnings With Nicardipine SR

Understanding the precautions and warnings with nicardipine SR before starting the drug can help ensure a safe and effective treatment process. You should not take nicardipine SR if you are allergic to any ingredients of the medication or if you have aortic stenosis. It is important to know that the drug may cause low blood pressure and can make congestive heart failure worse.

 

Nicardipine SR: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking nicardipine SR (Cardene SR®) if you have:
 
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
 
  • Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
  • Breastfeeding.
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Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 

Some Precautions and Warnings With Nicardipine SR

Some warnings and precautions to be aware of with
 nicardipine SR include:
 
  • Nicardipine SR can cause increased chest pain. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you develop new chest pain or if your chest pain becomes worse.
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  • As with all calcium channel blockers, nicardipine SR should be used with caution in people who have congestive heart failure (CHF), as it can make CHF worse.
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  • Nicardipine SR can cause low blood pressure (hypotension). Let your healthcare provider know if you have any signs of low blood pressure, such as dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting.
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  • Tell your healthcare provider if you have any upcoming surgeries. Depending on the type of anesthetic, you may need to stop taking nicardipine SR a few days before surgery.
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  • The liver and kidneys help to remove nicardipine SR from the blood. If you have kidney or liver problems, you may need a lower nicardipine SR dosage.
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  • Nicardipine SR can interact with other medications (see Drug Interactions With Nicardipine SR).
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  • Nicardipine SR is considered a pregnancy Category C medication. This means that nicardipine SR may not be safe to use during pregnancy. Talk to your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of using nicardipine SR during pregnancy (see Cardene and Pregnancy for more information).
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  • Nicardipine SR passes through breast milk. Therefore, if you are breastfeeding or plan to start breastfeeding, be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about using nicardipine SR (see Cardene and Breastfeeding for more information).
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(Precautions and Warnings With Nicardipine SR Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;