Nicardipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker sold in the U.S. under 6 brand and generic names, for variant angina pectoris, hypertension and stable angina. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.
From the FDA label for Cardene (application NDA019734). Other nicardipine products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.
For Intravenous Use. ( 2.1 ) • No further dilution is required. ( 2.3 ) • When substituting for oral nicardipine therapy, use the intravenous infusion rate from the table below ( 2.1 ): Oral CARDENE Dose Equivalent I.V. Infusion Rate (0.1 mg/mL) Equivalent I.V. Infusion Rate (0.2 mg/mL) 20 mg q8h 0.5 mg/hr = 5 mL/hr 0.5 mg/hr = 2.5 mL/hr 30 mg q8h 1.2 mg/hr = 12 mL/hr 1.2 mg/hr = 6 mL/hr 40 mg q8h 2.2 mg/hr = 22 mL/hr 2.2 mg/hr = 11 mL/hr • In a patient not receiving oral nicardipine, initiate therapy at 5 mg/hr. Increase the infusion rate by 2.5 mg/hr every 5 minutes (for rapid titration) to 15 minutes (for gradual titration) up to a maximum of 15 mg/hr until desired blood pressure reduction is achieved. ( 2.1 ) Conversion Table (mg/hr) Equivalent I.V. Infusion Rate (0.1 mg/mL) Equivalent I.V. Infusion Rate (0.2 mg/mL) 5 mg/hr 50 mL/hr 25 mL/hr 2.5 mg/hr 25 mL/hr 12.5 mL/hr 15 mg/hr 150 mL/hr 75 mL/hr • If unacceptable hypotension or tachycardia occurs, discontinue the infusion. When blood pressure and heart rate stabilize, restart the infusion at low doses such as 3-5 mg/hr. ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosing CARDENE I.V. is intended for intravenous use. Titrate dose to achieve the desired blood pressure reduction. Individualize dosage depending on the blood pressure to be obtained and the response of the patient. Dosage as a Substitute for Oral…
Most common adverse reactions: are headache (15%), hypotension (6%), tachycardia (4%) and nausea/vomiting (5%). ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Baxter Healthcare Corporation at 1-866-888-2472 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The adverse reaction information from clinical trials does, however, provide a basis for identifying the adverse events that appear to be related to drug use and for approximating rates. Two hundred forty-four patients participated in two multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of CARDENE I.V. Adverse experiences were generally not serious and most were expected consequences of vasodilation. Adverse experiences occasionally required dosage adjustment. Therapy was discontinued in approximately 12% of patients, mainly due to hypotension, headache, and tachycardia. The table below shows percentage of patients with adverse events where the rate is >3% more common on CARDENE I.V. than placebo. Adverse Event Cardene I.V. (N=144) Placebo (N=100) Body as a Whole Headache, n (%) 21 (15) 2 (2) Cardiovascular Hypotension, n…
Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Generic? | Typical price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 70/100 | Prescription | Injectable | Generic | $80 | View → | |
| 2 | 70/100 | Prescription | Injectable |
From the FDA Enforcement database. A recall covers specific lots — not the drug as a whole.
niCARdipine Hydrochloride Injection
Lack of sterility assurance: Product leakage around the vial neck, which could potentially result in a lack of sterility assurance.
American Regent, Inc. · Apr 18, 2025
niCARdipine Hydrochloride Injection
Lack of sterility assurance: Product leakage around the vial neck, which could potentially result in a lack of sterility assurance.
American Regent, Inc. · Apr 18, 2025
niCARdipine Hydrochloride Injection
Lack of Assurance of Sterility.
American Regent, Inc. · May 14, 2024
Nicardipine Hydrochloride Injection (2.5mg/mL)
Failed Impurities/Degradation Specifications: Out of specification for organic impurities
Eugia US LLC · Feb 20, 2024
Nicardipine Hydrochloride Injection
Failed Impurities/Degradation Specifications: Out of specification for organic impurities
Eugia US LLC · Feb 20, 2024
Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.
Do not use in patients with advanced aortic stenosis ( 4.1 ). 4.1 Advanced Aortic Stenosis CARDENE I.V. is contraindicated in patients with advanced aortic stenosis because part of the effect of CARDENE I.V. is secondary to reduced afterload. Reduction of diastolic pressure in these patients may worsen rather than improve myocardial oxygen balance.
Cimetidine increases oral nicardipine plasma levels. ( 7.2 ) • Oral or intravenous nicardipine may increase cyclosporine and tacrolimus plasma levels. Frequent monitoring of trough blood levels of cyclosporine and tacrolimus is recommended when co-administering CARDENE I.V. ( 7.3 , 7.4 ) 7.1 Beta-Blockers In most patients, CARDENE I.V. can safely be used concomitantly with beta blockers. However, titrate slowly when using CARDENE I.V. in combination with a beta-blocker in heart failure patients [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]. 7.2 Cimetidine Cimetidine has been shown to increase nicardipine plasma concentrations with oral nicardipine administration. Frequently monitor response in patients receiving both drugs. Data with other histamine-2 antagonists are not available. 7.3 Cyclosporine Concomitant administration of oral or intravenous nicardipine and cyclosporine results in elevated plasma cyclosporine levels through nicardipine inhibition of hepatic microsomal enzymes, including CYP3A4. Closely monitor plasma concentrations of cyclosporine during CARDENE I.V. administration, and reduce the dose of cyclosporine accordingly. 7.4 Tacrolimus Concomitant administration of intravenous nicardipine and tacrolimus may result in elevated plasma tacrolimus levels through nicardipine inhibition of hepatic microsomal enzymes, including CYP3A4. Closely monitor…
| $80 |
| View → |
| 3 | 70/100 | Prescription | Injectable | Generic | $80 | View → |
| 4 | 70/100 | Prescription | Injectable | Generic | $80 | View → |
| 5 | 70/100 | Prescription | Injectable | Generic | $80 | View → |
| 6 | 70/100 | Prescription | Capsule | Generic | $80 | View → |