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nicardipine vs tacrolimus topical

Side-by-side comparison of nicardipine and tacrolimus topical. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

moderate Known Drug Interaction

Mild or Moderate CYP3A Inhibitors: Clotrimazole, antibiotics (e.g., verapamil, diltiazem, nifedipine, nicardipine), amiodarone, danazol, ethinyl estradiol, cimetidine, lansoprazole and omeprazole May increase tacrolimus whole blood trough concentrations and increase the risk of serious adverse reactions (e.g., neurotoxicity, QT prolongation) [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 , 5.10 , 5.11 )] .

Recommendation: Your doctor should monitor your blood levels and watch for signs of toxicity while you are taking both medications together.

Drug Class
nicardipine Calcium Channel Blocker
tacrolimus topical Calcineurin Inhibitor (Topical)
Type
nicardipine Prescription
tacrolimus topical Prescription
Summary
nicardipine

Nicardipine is a drug that helps to lower blood pressure and treat chest pain. It belongs to a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers.

tacrolimus topical

Tacrolimus extended-release capsules help prevent organ rejection in kidney transplant patients. It works by suppressing your immune system.

What It Treats
nicardipine

Nicardipine treats chronic stable angina, which is chest pain that happens when you exert yourself. It can be used alone or with beta-blockers to manage this condition. Nicardipine also treats high blood pressure, and it can be used alone or with other blood pressure medications.

tacrolimus topical

This medicine is used to prevent your body from rejecting a new kidney after a transplant. It is for adult patients who can swallow capsules whole. You will take it with other medicines that also suppress your immune system.

How It Works
nicardipine

Nicardipine works by blocking calcium from entering certain cells in your heart and blood vessels. This helps to relax and widen your blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure. It also reduces the workload on your heart, which can help to relieve chest pain.

tacrolimus topical

Tacrolimus belongs to a class of drugs called calcineurin inhibitors. It lowers the activity of your immune system. This helps prevent your body from attacking your new kidney.

Common Side Effects
nicardipine
  • Swelling in your feet or ankles
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Weakness
  • Flushing (redness of the skin)
tacrolimus topical
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Nausea
  • Swelling in your arms and legs
  • Tremors
FAERS Reports
nicardipine
  • Sudden kidney damage 226
  • Baby born too early 205
  • Unborn baby exposed to the drug during pregnancy 194
  • Mother exposed to the drug during pregnancy 180
  • The drug is interacting with another drug 167
tacrolimus topical

No adverse event reports.

Serious Warnings
nicardipine

If you have advanced aortic stenosis, you should not take this medication. Lowering blood pressure in this case could worsen oxygen balance to the heart. Use caution if you have congestive heart failure.

tacrolimus topical

This medicine can increase your risk of serious infections and certain cancers. These problems could lead to hospitalization or even death. This drug is not approved for liver transplants and may increase the risk of death in female liver transplant patients.

Pregnancy
nicardipine

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. It is not known if nicardipine will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking nicardipine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

tacrolimus topical

Tacrolimus can harm your unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. There is a pregnancy registry to track outcomes in women who take tacrolimus during pregnancy.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This nicardipine vs tacrolimus topical Comparison

nicardipine is classified in the Calcium Channel Blocker drug class, while tacrolimus topical sits within the Calcineurin Inhibitor (Topical) class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, nicardipine has 972 submissions while tacrolimus topical has 0. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known moderate interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to nicardipine makes it harder for your body to process tacrolimus, which can cause the drug to stay in your system longer and reach higher levels. this increases the chance of experiencing dangerous side effects.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between nicardipine and tacrolimus topical - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.