What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Nicardipine and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir
Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir's FDA label of February 19, 2026 names nicardipine in its drug interactions section; the nicardipine labels PlainMeds reads (2) do not name nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. The nirmatrelvir/ritonavir label: “Caution is warranted and clinical monitoring of patients is recommended. A dose decrease may be needed for these drugs when co-administered with PAXLOVID. …”
Check it at the source: the nicardipine FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 24, 2024, Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.); the nirmatrelvir/ritonavir FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 19, 2026, Pfizer Laboratories Div Pfizer Inc).
What does the nicardipine label say about nirmatrelvir/ritonavir?
Nicardipine's label (effective August 24, 2024) and its 1 other brand-application label do not name nirmatrelvir/ritonavir in these sections. A label lists what its studies and reports found; it is not a complete list.
Source: FDA drug label (Nicardipine Hydrochloride), Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc., effective August 24, 2024 (SPL set 18fb1c2b-0c1e-436c-a5b6-d4840b5da228), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the nirmatrelvir/ritonavir label say about nicardipine?
Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir label, drug interactionsDrug Class: Calcium channel blockers; Drugs within Class: amlodipine, diltiazem, felodipine, nicardipine, nifedipine, verapamil; Effect on Concentration: ↑ calcium channel blocker; Clinical Comments: Caution is warranted and clinical monitoring of patients is recommended. A dose decrease may be needed for these drugs when co-administered with PAXLOVID. If co-administered, refer to the individual product prescribing information for calcium channel blocker for further information.
Source: FDA drug label (Paxlovid), Pfizer Laboratories Div Pfizer Inc, effective February 19, 2026 (SPL set 8a99d6d6-fd9e-45bb-b1bf-48c7f761232a), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Nicardipine | Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Angina | COVID-19 |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $1.12 per capsule 20 mg capsule | $49.24 per unit 300-100 mg dose pack |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once