nicardipine
Brand names: Cardene
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.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$3.16/unit
Generic Available
Yes (18 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Nicardipine treats chronic stable angina, which is chest pain that happens when you exert yourself.
Common side effects
Swelling in your feet or ankles, Dizziness, Headache
Key warnings
If you have advanced aortic stenosis, you should not take this medication.
How It Works
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.
How to Take It
Your doctor will determine the right dose for you, usually starting with 20 mg three times a day. You can take nicardipine with or without food. It's important to take it regularly, as prescribed by your doctor. Do not change your dose without talking to your doctor first.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
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.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store nicardipine capsules at room temperature, between 68° to 77°F (20° to 25°C), in a tight, light-resistant container with a child-resistant closure.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 1,803 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 4,175 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2002–2025.
Total Reports
4,175
Death-Related Reports
564
Hospitalization Reports
2,241
Top Indication
Hypertension
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY | 226 |
| 2 | PREMATURE BABY | 205 |
| 3 | OFF LABEL USE | 196 |
| 4 | FOETAL EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY | 194 |
| 5 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 188 |
| 6 | MATERNAL EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY | 180 |
| 7 | DRUG INTERACTION | 167 |
| 8 | HYPOTENSION | 167 |
| 9 | HYPERTENSION | 158 |
| 10 | PYREXIA | 122 |
| 11 | PREMATURE DELIVERY | 108 |
| 12 | EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY | 103 |
| 13 | VOMITING | 102 |
| 14 | RENAL FAILURE | 101 |
| 15 | ANAEMIA | 100 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
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.
Known Drug Interactions
Digoxin Some calcium blockers may increase the concentration of digitalis preparations in the blood. Nicardipine hydrochloride capsules usually do not alter the plasma levels of digoxin; however, serum digoxin levels should be evaluated after concomitant therapy with nicardipine hydrochloride capsules are initiated.
Mechanism: Nicardipine may cause digoxin to build up in your bloodstream by changing how your body handles the drug.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor your digoxin blood levels closely when you start taking nicardipine.
Calcium channel blockers amlodipine, diltiazem, felodipine, nicardipine, nifedipine, verapamil ↑ calcium channel blocker Caution is warranted and clinical monitoring of patients is recommended.
Mechanism: Ritonavir blocks the way your body processes nicardipine, which can cause the blood pressure medicine to reach higher levels than intended.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor you closely for any signs of low blood pressure or other side effects.
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 )] .
Mechanism: 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.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor your blood levels and watch for signs of toxicity while you are taking both medications together.
When therapeutic concentrations of furosemide, propranolol, dipyridamole, warfarin, quinidine or naproxen were added to human plasma (in vitro), the plasma protein binding of nicardipine hydrochloride capsules were not altered.
Mechanism: These drugs do not interfere with how nicardipine attaches to proteins in the blood.
What to do: No dosage changes are usually needed when taking these medications together.
When therapeutic concentrations of furosemide, propranolol, dipyridamole, warfarin, quinidine or naproxen were added to human plasma (in vitro), the plasma protein binding of nicardipine hydrochloride capsules were not altered.
Mechanism: Propranolol does not change the way nicardipine binds to proteins in your bloodstream.
What to do: You can typically take these two drugs together without needing a dose adjustment.
Common Questions
Can I take nicardipine with other medications?
How long does it take for nicardipine to start working?
Can I drink alcohol while taking nicardipine?
What should I do if I experience severe dizziness after taking nicardipine?
Can nicardipine cure my angina or hypertension?
Will nicardipine affect my kidney function?
Can I drive or operate machinery while taking nicardipine?
What if I have liver problems?
Can I take antacids with nicardipine?
Will nicardipine affect my heart rate?
What are the common side effects of nicardipine?
Does nicardipine interact with other medications?
What drug class is nicardipine?
Is nicardipine safe during pregnancy?
Has nicardipine been recalled?
Active Recalls
Lack of sterility assurance: Product leakage around the vial neck, which could potentially result in a lack of sterility assurance.
American Regent, Inc.
Failed Impurities/Degradation Specifications: Out of specification for organic impurities
Eugia US LLC
Failed Impurities/Degradation Specifications: Out of specification for organic impurities
Eugia US LLC
Related Medications in Calcium Channel Blocker
Other drugs grouped near nicardipine — same-class peers and common alternatives.
acebutolol
Sectral
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aliskiren
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amiloride
Midamor
Amiloride is a water pill that helps your body hold onto potassium.
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amlodipine
Norvasc
Amlodipine (Norvasc) is a drug that lowers blood pressure and treats chest pain.
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amlodipine/benazepril
Lotrel
Lotrel is a combination medicine that contains amlodipine and benazepril.
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Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
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What the FDA Data Shows for nicardipine
The FDA label for nicardipine (sold under brand names such as Cardene) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Calcium Channel Blocker class. Nicardipine treats chronic stable angina, which is chest pain that happens when you exert yourself. Official labeling lists 8 commonly reported side effects, including Swelling in your feet or ankles, Dizziness, Headache.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 1,803 voluntary reports. The database also lists 14 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated major severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $3.16.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history (currently 3 recall records on file), and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: January 7, 2019
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages