What is nicardipine infusion used for?
What is nicardipine infusion used for?
Nicardipine is used to treat high blood pressure and to control angina (chest pain). Nicardipine is in a class of medications called calcium channel blockers. It lowers blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels so the heart does not have to pump as hard.
How do you give nicardipine?
Nicardipine hydrochloride injection is administered by slow continuous infusion at a CONCENTRATION OF 0.1 MG/ML. Each vial (25 mg) should be diluted with 240 mL of compatible intravenous fluid (see below), resulting in 250 mL of solution at a concentration of 0.1 mg/mL.
What should I monitor with nicardipine?
In administering nicardipine, close monitoring of blood pressure and heart rate is required. Nicardipine may occasionally produce symptomatic hypotension or tachycardia. Avoid systemic hypotension when administering the drug to patients who have sustained an acute cerebral infarction or hemorrhage.
Is nicardipine a vasodilator?
A new short-acting calcium channel blocker, nicardipine, is a potent vasodilator and produces more selective responses in the coronary versus the systemic vascular circulation. It is an effective cerebral vasodilator, increasing cerebral blood flow and oxygen delivery.
Can you stop nicardipine?
Keep using these medicines for as long as your doctor has prescribed. Do not stop using any of your medications suddenly. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse. Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
When do you give nicardipine?
It is recommended to provide a continuous infusion of nicardipine starting at the dose of 1 to 5 mg/h, depending on the blood pressure and clinical situation. After 30 minutes, depending on the effect observed, the rate should be increased or decreased by increments of 0.5 mg/h. The rate should not exceed 15 mg/h.
Is nifedipine and nicardipine the same?
Nicardipine is a second-generation dihydroperidine calcium antagonist that unlike nifedipine causes little, if any, increase in heart rate. Nicardipine produces slower, and more prolonged decrease in BP than nifedipine, and therefore appears to be better tolerated.
Does nicardipine need a central line?
Administer Cardene I.V. by a central line or through a large peripheral vein. Change the infusion site every 12 hours if administered via peripheral vein [see Intravenous Infusion Site (5.6)].
Does nicardipine affect heart rate?
In general, no detrimental effects on the cardiac conduction system have been seen with Cardene I.V. During acute electrophysiologic studies, it increased heart rate and prolonged the corrected QT interval to a minor degree.
When to use nicardipine hydrochloride premixed injection?
Cardene I.V. (nicardipine hydrochloride) Premixed Injection is indicated for the short-term treatment of hypertension when oral therapy is not feasible or not desirable. For prolonged control of blood pressure, transfer patients to oral medication as soon as their clinical condition permits [see Dosage and Administration (2. 1)] 2.
Are there any side effects to taking nicardipine?
Nicardipine hydrochloride injection has no negative effect on myocardial relaxation at therapeutic doses. The clinical benefits of these properties have not yet been demonstrated. In general, no detrimental effects on the cardiac conduction system have been seen with nicardipine hydrochloride injection.
How often can you infuse nicardipine in IV?
IV INFUSION: Substitution for Oral Nicardipine (the following IV infusion rates are required to produce an average plasma level corresponding to a given oral dose at steady state): 20 mg orally every 8 hours is equivalent to 0.5 mg/hour via IV infusion.
How long does it take to decrease blood pressure with nicardipine?
The time course of blood pressure decrease is dependent on the initial rate of infusion and the frequency of dosage adjustment. Nicardipine hydrochloride injection is administered by slow continuous infusion at a concentration of 0.1 mg/mL. With constant infusion, blood pressure begins to fall within minutes.