nicardipine

Nicardipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker used primarily to treat hypertension and angina pectoris, including chronic stable angina and Prinzmetal's variant angina. It is also indicated for the management of hypertensive emergencies and perioperative blood pressure control. Nicardipine works by inhibiting the influx of extracellular calcium through L-type calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle and myocardium, leading to vasodilation—especially in cerebral and coronary arteries—and reduced peripheral vascular resistance. This results in decreased blood pressure, increased oxygen delivery to myocardial tissue, and reduced cardiac workload. Nicardipine is more selective for cerebral and coronary vessels compared to other dihydropyridines[1][2][3][5]. The drug was patented in 1973, approved for medical use in 1981, and received FDA approval in December 1988[5].

Brand names

CardeneCardene SRCardene IV

Other names

nicardipine hydrochloride