Thursday July 15, 2010
Regarding Nicardipine!


Q: Nicardipine is a Calcium Channel Blocker (CCB) but how it is distinct from other CCBs?

A: Nicardipine (Cardene) is a Calcium Channel Blocker with distinction that it has highly vascular selective calcium channel blockade. It has strong cerebral and coronary vasodilatory effect. It has non to minimal effect on left ventricular function and conduction. It is now preferred drug of choice as IV infusion in hypertensive crisis.

For rapid blood pressure control, therapy is initiated at a loading dose of 5 mg/hr and titrated by 2.5 mg/hour every 5 minutes up to 15 mg/hour until the desired results are achieved. For gradual reduction in blood pressure, the infusion rate is increased every 15 minutes until desired blood pressure is reached.