Bedside Snapshot

Use It For
Hypertensive emergency needing titratable IV control; BP control around stroke thrombolysis or thrombectomy; ICH; unsecured aneurysmal SAH; aortic dissection after beta-blockade; perioperative hypertension
Adult Dose
Hypertensive emergency: 5–15 mg/hr IV infusion. Start 5 mg/hr; increase 2.5 mg/hr every 5–15 min (max 15 mg/hr). After rapid titration to goal, reduce to 3 mg/hr
Pediatric Dose
Not established (FDA label). Specialist use, off-label (AAP): 30 mcg/kg IV bolus (max 2 mg); infusion 0.5–4 mcg/kg/min. Never adult mg/hr rates
Onset / Duration
IV: BP starts to fall within minutes, about 50% of the final drop by 45 min / 50% offset about 30 min after stopping; a 14.4 hr terminal half-life appears only after long infusions
Do Not Give / Hold If
Advanced aortic stenosis. Stop for hypotension or pronounced tachycardia; restart at 3–5 mg/hr once stable. SBP fall over 25% in the first hour (no compelling condition): reduce
Watch For
Hypotension (BP below target); reflex tachycardia or angina (heart rate, ST changes); phlebitis at a peripheral site (redness, cord); falling SpO₂ (possible pulmonary shunting)
Reversal / Rescue
No specific reversal: stop the infusion (50% offset in about 30 min); IV fluid, and a vasopressor for profound hypotension per protocol
Must Remember
Two strengths in the same 200 mL bag: 0.1 mg/mL (mL/hr = mg/hr × 10) and 0.2 mg/mL (mL/hr = mg/hr × 5). Confirm the bag at every rate change; a mix-up doubles or halves the dose

Indications

Emergency & Prehospital

  • Hypertensive emergency (BP >180/120 mmHg with acute target-organ damage): you need titratable IV blood pressure (BP) control. The FDA label covers short-term adult hypertension when oral therapy is not feasible or not desirable
  • Acute ischemic stroke before or after reperfusion: BP control goes with IV thrombolysis (IVT) or endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). See fibrinolytics. No reperfusion? Then you let the BP run high, which is permissive hypertension. Treat only very high BP, or a comorbid condition that needs it
  • Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH): lower the systolic BP (SBP) early and smoothly, then hold it there for days
  • Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), aneurysm not yet secured: you want short-acting, titratable BP control. The goal is to avoid severe hypertension, hypotension and BP swings. The neurosurgical or neurocritical care team sets the target
  • Acute aortic dissection: beta-blockade comes first, with esmolol or labetalol. A vasodilator joins only after that

ED / ICU / Transport

  • Perioperative and postoperative hypertension: short-term IV control. Postoperative patients were one of the label's trial populations
  • Bridge for patients on oral nicardipine who cannot take oral medication: label conversion table (see Dosing)

Other Uses

  • Severe hypertension in pregnancy or postpartum: not a first-line agent. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) puts IV labetalol, IV hydralazine and oral immediate-release nifedipine first. An infusion comes in only with obstetric, maternal-fetal medicine and anesthesia or critical care input, per local protocol
  • Chronic hypertension and chronic stable angina: oral immediate-release capsules
Not for severe hypertension without organ damage: With a BP above 180/120 mmHg and no acute target-organ damage, you manage with oral therapy and prompt follow-up, not rapid lowering. The 2025 AHA/ACC guideline says the same. Don't give intermittent IV or oral doses to hospitalized adults with noncardiac conditions just to chase the number. The infusion is for target-organ damage.

Dosing & Administration

Doses vary by protocol; follow local protocols and medical direction.

Available Forms

  • Premixed bag, 0.1 mg/mL: 20 mg in 200 mL, in dextrose or sodium chloride (Cardene IV and generics); ready to use.
  • Premixed bag, 0.2 mg/mL (double strength): 40 mg in 200 mL; carton reads "DOUBLE CONCENTRATION: CHECK INFUSION RATE".
  • Vial concentrate, 2.5 mg/mL: 25 mg in 10 mL single-dose vial; must be diluted before infusion.
  • Oral immediate-release capsules: 20 mg and 30 mg (generic). The sustained-release form (Cardene SR) is discontinued in the US.

Adult Dosing

IndicationDose & RouteRepeat / MaxNotes
Hypertensive emergency / acute BP reduction (FDA label)
5–15 mg/hr IV infusion: start 5 mg/hr; increase by 2.5 mg/hr every 5 min (rapid) to every 15 min (gradual)
Max 15 mg/hr. After reaching goal with rapid titration, reduce to 3 mg/hr and adjust
Average maintenance 8 mg/hr in severe hypertension trials. No compelling condition: SBP down no more than 25% in hour 1, then to <160/100 mmHg over the next 2–6 hr, then cautiously toward the long-term target over 24–48 hr. Compelling condition (aortic dissection, severe preeclampsia or eclampsia, pheochromocytoma crisis): SBP <140 mmHg in hour 1 (<120 mmHg in aortic dissection). Acute stroke and ICH are not managed with this pacing: use their own rows
Acute ischemic stroke, IVT or EVT candidate
Start 5 mg/hr IV infusion; titrate as above
Max 15 mg/hr; BP below 185/110 mmHg before IVT (185/110 mmHg or less before EVT), then below 180/105 mmHg for at least 24 hr after IVT, or 180/105 mmHg or less during and for 24 hr after EVT
Start IVT only once BP is below 185/110 mmHg. After IVT for mild to moderate stroke, a target SBP below 140 mmHg gives no benefit. After successful EVT for anterior-circulation large vessel occlusion, a target SBP below 140 mmHg for the first 72 hr is harmful
Acute ischemic stroke, no IVT or EVT
Usually none (permissive hypertension). If treating: start 5 mg/hr IV infusion; titrate as above
Max 15 mg/hr; if treating, initial reduction of about 15%
BP below 220/120 mmHg with no comorbid indication: lowering in the first 48–72 hr does not prevent death or dependency. BP 220/120 mmHg or more: benefit uncertain; lower modestly. Treat earlier for acute coronary syndrome, acute heart failure, aortic dissection or preeclampsia
Spontaneous ICH, mild to moderate, SBP 150–220 mmHg
Start 5 mg/hr IV infusion; titrate as above
Max 15 mg/hr; target SBP 130 to <140 mmHg, held for at least 7 days; stop antihypertensives if SBP falls below 130 mmHg
2025 AHA/ACC target. Start within 2 hr of onset, at target within 1 hr; titrate smoothly, avoiding peaks and large swings. The 2022 AHA/ASA ICH guideline used 140 mmHg (range 130–150); local neuro protocols may differ
Spontaneous ICH, SBP above 220 mmHg
Start 5 mg/hr IV infusion; titrate as above
Max 15 mg/hr; cautious, modest reduction, suggested SBP 160–180 mmHg; do not lower SBP below 130 mmHg (2025 AHA/ACC)
2025 AHA/ACC: lowering below 130 mmHg from this level raises adverse events. Arterial line and close neuro checks
Aneurysmal SAH, aneurysm not yet secured
Start 5 mg/hr IV infusion; titrate as above
Max 15 mg/hr; BP target per the neurosurgical or neurocritical care order
2023 AHA/ASA aSAH guideline: frequent BP monitoring and BP control with short-acting drugs to avoid severe hypertension, hypotension and BP variability; it sets no specific target. Avoid sudden, profound lowering. These patients also get enteral nimodipine: a look-alike name, not a substitute
Acute aortic dissection
Start 5 mg/hr IV infusion after IV beta-blockade; titrate as above
Max 15 mg/hr; SBP below 120 mmHg or the lowest BP that keeps end organs perfused, with heart rate 60–80 bpm (2022 ACC/AHA aortic); reach SBP below 120 mmHg in the first hour (2025 AHA/ACC)
Beta-blocker first: reflex tachycardia raises aortic wall stress. If a beta-blocker is contraindicated, an IV non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker (diltiazem) for rate control first. Add nicardipine only if BP stays above goal. Arterial line, ICU
Perioperative / postoperative hypertension
Start 5 mg/hr IV infusion; titrate as above
Max 15 mg/hr; titrate to the surgical BP range
Average maintenance 3 mg/hr in postoperative trials
Severe hypertension in pregnancy or postpartum, refractory
Start 5 mg/hr IV infusion; titrate as above
Max 15 mg/hr; treat SBP 160 mmHg or more or DBP 110 mmHg or more that persists 15 min or more, within 30–60 min
Not an ACOG first-line agent; use after first-line agents fail, with obstetric, maternal-fetal medicine and anesthesia or critical care consultation per local protocol; fetal monitoring
Substitute for oral nicardipine
20 mg PO every 8 hr = 0.5 mg/hr IV; 30 mg every 8 hr = 1.2 mg/hr; 40 mg every 8 hr = 2.2 mg/hr
Fixed equivalent rate; titrate only for BP
Same average plasma level as the oral dose
Chronic hypertension or stable angina (oral)
20 mg PO three times daily
Usual 20–40 mg three times daily; wait at least 3 days between increases
Peak effect 1–2 hr after a dose: check BP then and at trough (8 hr)

Dosing weight: adult IV dosing runs in fixed mg/hr. Nothing about it is weight-based. Titrate to the BP response.

Pediatric Dosing

Not established in children: safety and effectiveness are not established in pediatric patients, neonates included, per the FDA label. Differs from the FDA label: the label gives no pediatric dose. The AAP 2017 specialist dose below is off-label, for use under a pediatric critical care or nephrology protocol. Dose by weight in mcg/kg/min. Never apply the adult mg/hr rates to a child. For age-based BP, see Pediatric Vital Signs. For the double-check steps, see Weight-Based Dosing.
IndicationDose (per kg) & RouteMax Single / Max TotalNotes
Acute severe hypertension with life-threatening symptoms (specialist use)
Bolus 30 mcg/kg IV; infusion 0.5–4 mcg/kg/min IV
Bolus max 2 mg per dose; infusion max 4 mcg/kg/min
Lower BP by no more than 25% of the planned reduction over the first 8 hr, the rest over the next 12–24 hr; short-term goal around the 95th percentile. Pediatric ICU or nephrology direction

Continuous Infusion

SettingExample ConcentrationStartTitrateUsual Range / Max
Adult, standard strength
0.1 mg/mL: 20 mg in 200 mL premix, or 25 mg vial diluted to 250 mL
5 mg/hr (50 mL/hr)
2.5 mg/hr (25 mL/hr) every 5–15 min
Max 15 mg/hr (150 mL/hr); after rapid titration, 3 mg/hr (30 mL/hr)
Adult, double strength
0.2 mg/mL: 40 mg in 200 mL premix
5 mg/hr (25 mL/hr)
2.5 mg/hr (12.5 mL/hr) every 5–15 min
Max 15 mg/hr (75 mL/hr); after rapid titration, 3 mg/hr (15 mL/hr)
Pump rate
mL/hr = mg/hr ÷ concentration (mg/mL). At 0.1 mg/mL: mg/hr × 10. At 0.2 mg/mL: mg/hr × 5

Preparation & Administration

  • Dilution: premixed bags need none. Dilute each 25 mg vial with 240 mL of compatible fluid to 250 mL (0.1 mg/mL); stable 24 hr at room temperature.
  • Line: central line or a large peripheral vein; never small veins of the hand or wrist, and avoid intra-arterial use or extravasation. Change a peripheral site every 12 hr.
  • Pump requirement: this is a continuous infusion on a calibrated pump, a smart pump with a drug library. The adult label gives no bolus dose.
  • Bag handling: add nothing to the bag, run nothing else in the same line, and do not connect plastic bags in series (air embolism risk).
  • Light: keep in the carton until use; solution is clear and colorless to yellow.
Dosing Notes:
  • Hypotension or tachycardia: stop the infusion. Once BP and heart rate settle, restart at 3–5 mg/hr.
  • Oral transition: when the infusion stops, start an oral agent other than nicardipine. Give the first oral nicardipine dose 1 hr before stopping.
  • Heart failure, renal or hepatic impairment: go slow with titration (see Special Populations).

Contraindications & Precautions

Contraindications

  • Advanced aortic stenosis: part of the drug's effect is afterload reduction. The fall in diastolic pressure can tip myocardial oxygen balance the wrong way.
  • Hypersensitivity to nicardipine (oral capsule labeling).

Precautions

  • Acute cerebral infarction or hemorrhage: avoid systemic hypotension.
  • Coronary artery disease: new or worse angina shows up in under 1% with IV use.
  • Heart failure or significant left ventricular dysfunction: the drug may weaken contraction. Titrate slowly, especially if a beta-blocker is on board.
  • Patients on chronic beta-blockers: nicardipine does not protect against beta-blocker withdrawal. Taper the beta-blocker. Never stop it abruptly.
  • Hepatic impairment or portal hypertension: levels run higher. In cirrhosis, the drug raises the hepatic venous pressure gradient.
  • Renal impairment: the drug clears more slowly, so exposure goes up. Titrate gradually.
  • Pheochromocytoma: we have little experience here.

Hold / Reassess If

  • BP below target, or SBP falls more than 25% in the first hour when there is no compelling condition: reduce or stop.
  • Symptomatic hypotension or pronounced tachycardia: stop; restart at 3–5 mg/hr once stable.
  • Falling SpO₂ without another cause: suspect pulmonary shunting; reduce or stop.
  • New neurologic deficit after BP lowering in stroke or ICH: stop titrating down; reassess the target with the stroke team.
Aortic dissection: rate before pressure: Give nicardipine alone and the heart rate climbs, and so does the stress on the aortic wall. Beta-blocker first. Add nicardipine only if SBP stays above goal.

Adverse Effects & Toxicity

Common

  • Headache (15% vs 2% with placebo)
  • Hypotension (6%)
  • Nausea and vomiting (5%)
  • Tachycardia (4%); mean heart rate rise 7–8 bpm
  • Infusion-site phlebitis and local irritation
  • About 12% stopped therapy in trials, mainly for hypotension, headache and tachycardia
  • Oral capsules: flushing (about 10%), headache, pedal edema (about 8%, the only dose-related effect), dizziness and palpitations (about 4% each)

Serious / Life-Threatening

EffectRecognitionManagement
Hypotension and overshoot
BP below target; new neuro deficit, chest pain or oliguria
Stop; IV fluid; vasopressor per protocol if profound; restart at 3–5 mg/hr when stable
Reflex tachycardia, angina, ischemia
Rising heart rate, chest pain, ST depression or T-wave inversion
Reduce the rate; 12-lead ECG; treat ischemia per ACS protocol
Hypoxemia
Falling SpO₂ (possible pulmonary shunting, postmarketing)
Reduce or stop; give oxygen; consider another agent
Thrombophlebitis, extravasation
Pain, redness, swelling or a cord along the vein
Stop at that site; resite to a large vein or central line
AV block (reported rarely with IV use)
New PR prolongation, dropped beats, bradycardia
Reduce or stop; 12-lead ECG; treat symptomatic bradycardia per ACLS
Worsening heart failure
Dyspnea, crackles, falling SpO₂ in severe LV dysfunction
Reduce or stop; treat heart failure; consider another agent

Overdose & Toxicity Management

  • Signs: marked hypotension, bradycardia, flushing, drowsiness, confusion and slurred speech (oral overdoses); progressive AV block in animal data.
  • Immediate: stop the infusion; monitor cardiac and respiratory function; position to protect cerebral perfusion; vasopressors (norepinephrine) for profound hypotension.
  • Antidote: there isn't a specific one. IV calcium (e.g., calcium gluconate) may help reverse the calcium channel blockade, per the vial label. After a large oral overdose, call poison control or toxicology. They have a calcium channel blocker poisoning protocol and other rescue therapies.

Monitoring
ParameterWhen / How OftenTarget / Act If
Clinical: blood pressure
Continually during the infusion and at every titration step (every 5–15 min); arterial line for dissection, neuro or labile BP
Below target, or first-hour fall over 25% (no compelling condition): reduce or stop
Clinical: heart rate and rhythm
Continuous ECG
Pronounced tachycardia, chest pain or ST changes: reduce the rate; 12-lead ECG
Clinical: SpO₂ and lung sounds
Continuous SpO₂; lungs with each assessment
Unexplained fall or new crackles: reduce or stop; reassess
Clinical: neurologic status
Stroke or ICH: with each BP change, per protocol
New deficit after BP lowering: stop titrating down; notify the stroke team
Clinical: fluid balance
Hourly intake and output at high rates
15 mg/hr at 0.1 mg/mL is 150 mL/hr (3.6 L/day): consider the 0.2 mg/mL bag
Laboratory: creatinine and BUN
Baseline, then as clinically indicated (renal target-organ damage)
Rising: slow titration; reassess the BP target
Drug levels: cyclosporine or tacrolimus
Trough levels while on nicardipine
Rising: reduce the immunosuppressant dose with the transplant team
Infusion safety: site, bag and rate
Site with each BP check; bag at each change and handoff
Peripheral site 12 hr old or irritated: resite. Concentration on the bag must match the pump library entry

Interactions & Compatibility

Clinically Significant Interactions

Drug / ClassEffectWhat To Do
Other antihypertensives and vasodilators (clevidipine, labetalol, hydralazine, nitroglycerin)
Additive hypotension
Titrate one agent at a time; reduce nicardipine first if BP overshoots
Beta-blockers (metoprolol, esmolol)
Usually safe together; possible additive negative inotropy in heart failure
Titrate slowly in heart failure; never stop chronic beta-blockers abruptly
Fentanyl anesthesia with a beta-blocker and a calcium channel blocker
Severe hypotension reported
Watch BP closely at induction; IV fluid may be needed
Cyclosporine, tacrolimus
Higher immunosuppressant levels (nicardipine inhibits CYP3A4)
Monitor trough levels often; adjust the dose
Cimetidine
Higher nicardipine levels
Monitor BP response closely
Digoxin
Levels usually unchanged
Check a digoxin level after starting nicardipine

IV Compatibility

  • Premixed bags: no other product in the same line or bag; add nothing to the bag.
  • Vial diluents: D5W, D5/0.45% NaCl, D5/0.9% NaCl, D5W with 40 mEq potassium, 0.45% NaCl or 0.9% NaCl.
  • Incompatible: 5% sodium bicarbonate and lactated Ringer's.
  • Verify with an institutional compatibility resource.

Special Populations
  • Pediatrics: safety and effectiveness are not established on the FDA label. Specialist protocol use only, and it is off-label. See Pediatric Dosing.
  • Neonates: not established. Neonatal intensivist dosing only. Neonates exposed in utero have had hypotension and acidosis, though the link is unclear.
  • Pregnancy: Decades of published IV use, mostly after 20 weeks, show no drug-associated risk of major birth defects or miscarriage. The drug crosses the placenta. Reported effects include maternal hypotension, reflex tachycardia, pulmonary edema, hypoxia, tocolysis and postpartum hemorrhage, plus transient fetal heart rate decelerations. Uncontrolled severe hypertension harms both mother and fetus. Start with the ACOG first-line agents.
  • Lactation: it shows up in milk, in low amounts. Estimated infant intake was under 0.3 mcg/day in two studies (18 infants). The one study that reported infant outcomes found no adverse effects. Weigh the benefit of breastfeeding against the mother's need for the drug.
  • Older Adults: pharmacokinetics look like those of younger adults. Still, start low in the range.
  • Renal Impairment: IV, moderate impairment clears more slowly, so exposure (AUC) climbs. Oral levels run about 2-fold higher. No specific IV dose adjustment is established, so titrate gradually. Oral: start 20 mg three times daily.
  • Hepatic Impairment: levels run higher and the half-life gets longer. Consider lower doses and monitor closely. Use caution with portal hypertension. Severe hepatic impairment, oral: start 20 mg twice daily.
  • Obesity / Dosing Weight: dosing stays fixed in mg/hr, not weight-based. Titrate to BP.
  • Heart Failure: titrate slowly, especially with a beta-blocker. At 0.1 mg/mL, a high-volume infusion adds fluid load.

Field & Transport Considerations
  • Scope: critical-care transport RN and paramedic (CCT), ED and ICU. You will usually inherit a running infusion on an interfacility transfer. It varies by state and agency protocol.
  • Storage & Stability: store at 20–25°C (68–77°F) in the carton, protected from light; avoid excessive heat. Do not freeze premixed bags. A diluted vial is stable 24 hr at room temperature.
  • Carried Concentration: the 0.1 mg/mL and 0.2 mg/mL bags look alike. Both come in 200 mL. Read the bag, match it to the pump library entry, and recheck the mL/hr at every handoff.
  • Infusions in Transport: give it a dedicated line and pump channel. A 0.1 mg/mL bag lasts 4 hr at 5 mg/hr. At 15 mg/hr, it lasts only 80 min. A 0.2 mg/mL bag lasts twice as long. For long or delayed transports, bring a spare bag and check a peripheral site before departure.
  • Handoff Essentials: concentration, current rate in mg/hr and mL/hr, BP target and indication, last titration and BP response, peripheral site age, other antihypertensives given (including beta-blockers) and the oral transition plan.

Clinical Pearls
Same bag, double the drug: The 0.2 mg/mL bag looks just like the 0.1 mg/mL bag. Program one as the other and you give half or twice the dose you meant to. Read the concentration aloud at every bag change.
The effect lags the rate: BP starts to drop within minutes. Still, only about half the final drop has arrived by 45 min at a fixed rate. Reached goal with rapid titration? Step the rate down before you get an overshoot.
Check the vein before the dose: BP stops answering while the rate climbs? Look at the IV site for infiltration or phlebitis before you add more drug.
Watch the volume: At 0.1 mg/mL, high rates run 100–150 mL/hr. In heart failure, kidney failure or cerebral edema, ask for the 0.2 mg/mL bag. It halves the fluid.
Nicardipine infusion: A fixed mg/hr rate, run from a premixed dextrose or sodium chloride bag. 50% of the effect wears off about 30 min after you stop. Want less fluid? The 0.2 mg/mL bag halves it.
Exam discriminator: Nicardipine is a dihydropyridine. It dilates arterioles and raises the heart rate, and it does no useful AV-node slowing. For atrial fibrillation rate control, pick a non-dihydropyridine such as diltiazem. If the stem shows advanced aortic stenosis, nicardipine is out.

Pharmacology

Mechanism of Action

  • L-type calcium channel blockade → less calcium gets into vascular smooth muscle → arterioles dilate and systemic vascular resistance drops.
  • More selective for vascular than cardiac muscle → coronaries dilate with little negative inotropy at usual doses. In severe LV dysfunction, some negative inotropy is possible.
  • Baroreflex response → heart rate climbs. The mean rise in trials was 7–8 bpm, and sometimes it is a lot more.
  • Conduction: it leaves sinus node recovery and SA conduction alone. Conduction problems are generally absent, though AV block has been reported rarely. Electrophysiology studies show minor QTc prolongation.

Pharmacokinetics

RouteOnsetPeakDuration
IV infusion
BP starts to fall within minutes
No sharp peak: about 50% of the final BP drop by 45 min at a fixed rate
50% offset about 30 min after stopping; plasma levels fall at least 50% within 2 hr; a 14.4 hr terminal half-life appears only after long infusions
PO (immediate release)
Plasma levels by 20 min
Peak BP effect 1–2 hr
Dosed every 8 hr
  • Half-life: IV, triphasic. First 2.7 min (distribution), then 44.8 min (intermediate), then 14.4 hr (terminal). You only see the terminal phase after long infusions. Plasma levels approach steady state at 24–48 hr.
  • Metabolism: the liver does most of the work, through CYP3A4, CYP2C8 and CYP2D6. Nicardipine also inhibits CYP3A4, 2D6, 2C8 and 2C19. Oral bioavailability is about 35%, after first-pass.
  • Active metabolites: none. No unchanged drug is excreted.
  • Elimination: 49% leaves in urine and 43% in feces, all as metabolites.
  • Protein binding / Vd: over 95% sits bound to protein. Volume of distribution is 8.3 L/kg.

Names & Classification
Generic Name
Nicardipine hydrochloride
Brand Names
Cardene IV (premixed bags); Cardene SR (discontinued); vials, premixed bags and capsules also sold as generics
Pharmacologic Class
Dihydropyridine L-type calcium channel blocker
Therapeutic Class
IV and oral antihypertensive (arterial vasodilator); antianginal (oral)
Controlled Substance
Not controlled
ISMP High-Alert
Not verified here (the ISMP acute-care list is a gated download). Run as a titrated infusion on a smart pump with a dose-error library entry
Look-Alike / Sound-Alike
niCARdipine / NIFEdipine / niMODipine (ISMP Confused Drug Names list, updated through June 2024; tall-man lettering)

Related

References
  1. Baxter Healthcare Corporation. (2026). CARDENE IV (nicardipine hydrochloride in dextrose or sodium chloride injection) for intravenous use: prescribing information. DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=f12cea0d-b7cd-41d8-b551-2c74cc7f5f4e
  2. Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. (2024). Nicardipine hydrochloride injection, USP (2.5 mg/mL vial) and nicardipine hydrochloride in 0.9% sodium chloride injection: prescribing information (revised 08/2024). DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=18fb1c2b-0c1e-436c-a5b6-d4840b5da228
  3. Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA. (2026). Nicardipine hydrochloride capsules: prescribing information. DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=3955d43d-a87f-4d2c-b90e-3ecf0d6aa148
  4. Jones, D. W., Ferdinand, K. C., Taler, S. J., Johnson, H. M., Shimbo, D., et al. (2025). 2025 AHA/ACC/AANP/AAPA/ABC/ACCP/ACPM/AGS/AMA/ASPC/NMA/PCNA/SGIM guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation and management of high blood pressure in adults. Hypertension, 82(10), e212–e316. https://doi.org/10.1161/HYP.0000000000000249
  5. Prabhakaran, S., Gonzalez, N. R., Zachrison, K. S., Adeoye, O., Alexandrov, A. W., et al. (2026). 2026 guideline for the early management of patients with acute ischemic stroke: A guideline from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke, 57(8), e316–e436. https://doi.org/10.1161/STR.0000000000000513
  6. Flynn, J. T., Kaelber, D. C., Baker-Smith, C. M., Blowey, D., Carroll, A. E., et al. (2017). Clinical practice guideline for screening and management of high blood pressure in children and adolescents. Pediatrics, 140(3), e20171904. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2017-1904
  7. Isselbacher, E. M., Preventza, O., Hamilton Black, J., Augoustides, J. G., Beck, A. W., et al. (2022). 2022 ACC/AHA guideline for the diagnosis and management of aortic disease. Circulation, 146(24), e334–e482. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001106
  8. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2020). ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 222: Gestational hypertension and preeclampsia. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 135(6), e237–e260. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000003891
  9. Greenberg, S. M., Ziai, W. C., Cordonnier, C., et al. (2022). 2022 guideline for the management of patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage: A guideline from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke, 53(7). https://doi.org/10.1161/STR.0000000000000407
  10. Hoh, B. L., Ko, N. U., Amin-Hanjani, S., et al. (2023). 2023 guideline for the management of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: A guideline from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke, 54(7), e314–e370. https://doi.org/10.1161/STR.0000000000000436
  11. Ullah, T., Khan, H., Khan, A., et al. (2026). Comparative efficacy and safety of clevidipine versus nicardipine in hypertensive emergencies: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Cardiology, 49(7), e70419. https://doi.org/10.1002/clc.70419
  12. Institute for Safe Medication Practices. (2024). ISMP Confused Drug Names list (updated through June 2024). https://online.ecri.org/hubfs/ISMP/Resources/ISMP_ConfusedDrugNames.pdf

Last updated Spotted something wrong? Report an error and include the page URL.

Medical Disclaimer
  • For Educational Purposes Only: This content is intended for educational reference and should not be used for clinical decision-making.
  • Not a Substitute for Professional Judgment: Always consult your local protocols, institutional guidelines, and supervising physicians.
  • Verify Before Acting: Users are responsible for verifying information through authoritative sources before any clinical application.
AI Assistance Notice
AI was used to assist in organizing, paraphrasing, and formatting this information.