Nicardipine

Nicardipine is used to treat high blood pressure. It relaxes your blood vessels so your heart does not have to pump as hard. It also increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart to control chest pain (angina). If taken regularly, nicardipine controls chest pain, but it does not stop chest pain once it starts. Your doctor may give you a different medication to take when you have chest pain. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Nicardipine comes as a regular capsule and as an extended-release (long-acting) capsule to take by mouth. The regular capsule is usually taken three times a day. The extended-release capsule is usually taken two times a day and is swallowed whole. Do not chew, divide, or crush the capsule. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take nicardipine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Nicardipine controls high blood pressure and chest pain (angina) but does not cure them. Continue to take nicardipine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking nicardipine without talking to your doctor.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Nicardipine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

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headache</li>
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upset stomach</li>
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dizziness or lightheadedness</li>
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excessive tiredness</li>
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flushing (feeling of warmth)</li>
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numbness</li>
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fast heartbeat</li>
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muscle cramps</li>
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constipation</li>
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heartburn</li>
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increased sweating</li>
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dry mouth</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

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swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs</li>
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difficulty breathing or swallowing</li>
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fainting</li>
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rash</li>
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increase in frequency or severity of chest pain (angina)</li></ul>If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before taking nicardipine, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to nicardipine or any other drugs. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially carbamazepine (Tegretol); cimetidine (Tagamet); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); fentanyl (Duragesic); heart and blood pressure medications such as beta-blockers, digoxin (Lanoxin), diuretics ('water pills'), and quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex); medications to treat glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye); phenytoin (Dilantin); ranitidine (Zantac); theophylline (Theo-Dur); and vitamins. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart, liver, or kidney disease. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking nicardipine.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.