Cardene (Nicardipine)

Name: Cardene
Brand: Astellas Pharma
SKU: 5571
Availability: InStock

Type

Product

Manufacturer

Country

Dosage

Qty-Price (USD)

Type:

Product: Cardene (ON BACKORDER)

Manufacturer: Astellas Pharma

Country: United Kingdom

Dosage: 20 mg

Qty-Price (USD):

Type:

Product: Cardene (ON BACKORDER)

Manufacturer: Astellas Pharma

Country: United Kingdom

Dosage: 30 mg

Qty-Price (USD):

Type:

Product: Cardene SR (ON BACKORDER)

Manufacturer: Astellas Pharma

Country: United Kingdom

Dosage: 45 mg

Qty-Price (USD):

Generic Equivalent of Cardene

Type

Product

Manufacturer

Country

Dosage

Qty-Price (USD)

There is no generic product of Cardene.

Cardene Information

Cardene at CanadaPharmacyOnline.com

The manufacturer of Cardene (nicardipine) available at this pharmacy is Astellas Pharma Ltd. (United Kingdom). Cardene was originally developed by Syntex Pharmaceuticals and subsequently acquired by various pharmaceutical companies.

The generic nicardipine is currently unavailable (at this pharmacy).

Dosage:

Cardene (nicardipine hydrochloride) is available in the following forms and strengths:
• Capsules: 20 mg and 30 mg immediate-release capsules
• Capsules: 45 mg sustained-release capsules

Dosage is individualized. If your blood pressure requires further control, your doctor will slowly increase your dose. You must wait at least 3 days between any dose changes. Always swallow Cardene capsules with a small glass of water. Immediate-release capsules are typically taken three times daily, and the sustained-release capsules are typically taken twice daily.

Usage:

Cardene is a prescription medication belonging to a class of drugs called dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers. It is used to manage mild-to-moderate high blood pressure and to prevent chronic stable angina. Cardene is a preventative, daily maintenance medication. It is not designed to stop an acute, sudden attack of chest pain once it has already started (which requires fast-acting rescue medications like nitroglycerin). It is also not used to prevent a second heart attack following a recent myocardial infarction. Cardene is highly flexible and compatible with other cardiovascular treatments. Your doctor may safely pair it with "water pills" (thiazide diuretics) or other blood pressure medications to achieve a stronger, combined effect if your numbers require extra control.

Mechanism of Action
Cardene (nicardipine hydrochloride) belongs to a class of medications known as dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers. For the heart and blood vessels to contract, calcium ions must pass into the cells through tiny cellular gateways called L-type calcium channels. Cardene blocks calcium from entering the cells, relaxing the blood vessels. Widening the peripheral blood vessels throughout the body reduces "afterload" (the resistance the heart must pump against). This lower workload reduces the heart's overall oxygen demand, helping prevent stable angina attacks.

Take Cardene exactly as your doctor prescribes, following the instructions in the highlights of prescribing information. Take with a little water. Allow at least 3 days between dose increases for Cardene (immediate-release).

The information below summarizes some, but not all, potential side effects, risks, and interactions. Before starting Cardene, it is essential to discuss all possible side effects, risks, and interactions with your doctor or pharmacist.

Side Effects:

The information below outlines potential side effects of Cardene (nicardipine hydrochloride). It is not an exhaustive list, and individual reactions can vary.

Common side effects: These are common side effects of Cardene; other side effects are possible. Contact your doctor promptly if any side effects are persistent, worsening, or concerning, or if you experience any other concerning symptoms.
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Flushing or heat sensation
• Headache
• Nausea or gastrointestinal upset
• Palpitations
• Pedal edema (swelling of the ankles and feet)
• Reflex tachycardia (increase in heart rate)

Serious Side Effects: Seek immediate medical attention or call emergency services if you experience any of the following symptoms:
• Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction) or Worsening Ischemia: Call emergency services immediately if you experience crushing chest pain, pressure, or shortness of breath that does not respond to your usual fast-acting rescue angina medication (like nitroglycerin). In rare cases, particularly when first starting the drug or increasing the dose, the rapid dilation of blood vessels can trigger a reflex spike in heart rate (reflex tachycardia) that increases cardiac oxygen demand and may provoke angina or, in extremely rare instances, a myocardial infarction.
• Severe Allergic Reactions (Anaphylaxis): Hives, a widespread skin rash, or sudden difficulty breathing. This includes immediate emergency signs like swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, which can block your airway.
• Severe Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension): Severe dizziness, light-headedness, feeling like you are about to pass out, or actual fainting.
• Severe Skin Reactions: Seek emergency help for extremely rare but life-threatening skin blistering conditions, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis. These conditions present as a widespread red rash with painful skin blistering, peeling, or raw sores.
• Worsening Chest Pain (Paradoxical Angina): In rare cases, a patient's chest pain attacks can unexpectedly increase in frequency, duration, or severity. If your angina worsens after starting or adjusting Cardene, stop taking the medication and seek emergency medical care immediately.
• Worsening Heart Failure: Sudden weight gain, increasing shortness of breath (especially when lying down), or worsening swelling in your ankles and legs (edema).

Contraindications:

The following is not an exhaustive list of contraindications. Before starting Cardene, it is crucial to discuss all your medical conditions, past and present, and all medications you are taking with your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not take Cardene/nicardipine if:
• Acute Angina Attacks: You are trying to stop an active, sudden-onset chest pain attack. Cardene is a daily preventive medicine and does not provide immediate relief. Always use your fast-acting rescue medication, such as under-the-tongue nitroglycerin (glyceryl trinitrate), during an active attack.
• Advanced (Severe) Aortic Stenosis: You have severe narrowing of the heart's main valve (the aortic valve). Because nicardipine reduces the pressure in your blood vessels, it can dangerously reduce the blood flow through an already severely blocked aortic valve.
• Cardiogenic Shock: A life-threatening emergency where your heart is suddenly too weak to pump enough blood to meet your body's basic needs.
• Dihydropyridine Allergies: You have a known allergy or hypersensitivity to nicardipine hydrochloride, or to any other calcium channel blocker in its exact chemical family (such as amlodipine, nifedipine, or felodipine).
• Pregnancy (Relative Contraindication): While oral nicardipine is not strictly or universally contraindicated in pregnancy, it should only be used if the potential benefits outweigh the risks to the fetus. It is typically reserved for cases where first-line blood pressure treatments have failed.
• Preventing a Second Heart Attack (Secondary Prevention): Cardene is not approved or safe to use for the specific purpose of protecting the heart against a repeat heart attack.
• Recent Heart Attack (Within 1 Month): You have suffered a heart attack within the last month. Cardene must never be started during this critical 30-day recovery window.
• Unstable Angina: Your chest pain is unpredictable, occurs at rest, or is rapidly worsening. Cardene is strictly for stable angina.

Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, past and present, before starting Cardene. This is crucial as certain conditions affect the drug's safety.
• Heart Failure or Left Ventricular Dysfunction: If you have congestive heart failure or a weak main pumping chamber (left ventricular dysfunction), Cardene must be used with great caution.
• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: a condition in which the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick.
• Kidney Impairment: If you have mild-to-moderate kidney disease, your body will clear this medication more slowly, resulting in blood concentrations roughly 2 times higher than average.
• Liver Impairment (Hepatic Disease or Cirrhosis): Cardene is heavily broken down by your liver. If your liver function is impaired, the medication will build up in your system, causing your blood plasma levels to spike up to 4 times higher than normal.
• Mild-to-Moderate Aortic Stenosis: While severe narrowing of the aortic valve is completely restricted, mild-to-moderate narrowing still requires careful medical evaluation and caution.
• Pheochromocytoma: This is a rare, adrenaline-producing tumor of the adrenal glands that causes severe blood pressure spikes. While calcium channel blockers like Cardene can be highly useful in managing this condition, your vital signs must be closely monitored during treatment.
• Portal Hypertension: If you have high blood pressure specifically in the portal vein system of your liver (frequently caused by liver cirrhosis), Cardene can alter internal fluid pressures and must be handled with care.

Drug Interactions:

Before taking Cardene, discuss all potential risks and interactions with your doctor or pharmacist. For complete information, please refer to the highlights of prescribing information at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/022276Orig1s020lbl.pdf.

Provide your doctor with a complete list of all your medications, including prescriptions, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, vitamins, herbal supplements, recreational drugs, and any significant dietary changes, as these may interact with Cardene. Cardene may interact with other medicines, including but not limited to:
• Cimetidine: slows down your liver enzymes and stops your body's initial breakdown of Cardene. This results in significantly higher Cardene levels in your blood.
• Cyclosporine and Tacrolimus: Cardene can increase blood levels of cyclosporine and tacrolimus, drastically increasing your risk of severe kidney damage (nephrotoxicity). If you must take them together, your doctor will reduce your immunosuppressant dose and closely monitor your blood levels.
• CYP3A4 Inducers (e.g., Rifampin, Carbamazepine, Phenytoin, Phenobarbital, St. John's Wort): reduce the levels of Cardene in the blood, thereby reducing the drug's effectiveness.
• CYP3A4 Inhibitors (e.g., Clarithromycin, Erythromycin, Itraconazole, Ketoconazole, Ritonavir): cause Cardene to build up to dangerous levels, increasing your risk of severe low blood pressure and a rapid heart rate.
• CYP3A4-Metabolized Statins (Simvastatin, Atorvastatin, Lovastatin): Cardene stops your liver from breaking down these specific statins, increasing your risk of severe muscle damage.
• Digoxin: Cardene can cause digoxin to build up in your bloodstream. Your doctor will test your digoxin levels frequently when you start or stop Cardene.
• Grapefruit and Grapefruit Juice: contains natural compounds that temporarily disable the CYP3A4 enzymes in your intestines. This allows your body to absorb far more Cardene than it should, resulting in a dangerous drop in blood pressure and a racing heart rate.
• Other Antihypertensives & Vasodilators (ACE Inhibitors, ARBs, Alpha-Blockers, other CCBs): Combining these with Cardene creates an additive effect, lowering your blood pressure even further. Your doctor may need to adjust your doses to keep your numbers in a safe range.
• Propranolol: Cardene specifically interferes with how your body clears propranolol, leading to elevated blood levels. Your doctor will monitor you closely for increased beta-blocker side effects.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding:

While oral nicardipine is not completely contraindicated in pregnancy, its safety and effectiveness in pregnant women have not been broadly established in large-scale clinical trials. It should only be used if alternatives are unavailable and the clinical need is vital. If you discover you are pregnant while taking Cardene, do not stop taking your medication abruptly, but contact your doctor immediately. They will help you safely transition to a different blood pressure medication with a well-established safety profile in pregnancy. Nicardipine is known to pass into human breast milk in very low concentrations. While the risk to a nursing infant appears small, alternative medications with more extensive lactation safety data are typically preferred, and breastfeeding should be discussed carefully with your doctor.

Use in Children:

The safety and effectiveness of oral Cardene in children have not been established. Cardene oral capsules are not recommended for use in patients under 18 years of age.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cardene at Canada Pharmacy Online

Why is Cardene more affordable in Canada than in the United States?

Prescription drug prices, including Cardene, are generally lower in Canada than in the U.S. due to a combination of factors, primarily government price regulations, differing market dynamics, and other economic considerations. In Canada, provincial and federal governments negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical companies, which often results in lower prices than in the U.S., where market forces play a more significant role. For more information, see the FAQs on Prescription Drug Importation from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF): https://www.kff.org/health-costs/issue-brief/faqs-on-prescription-drug-importation/ page.

How much is the shipping?

Our shipping fee is a flat rate of $10.00 per order. Our pharmacy is dedicated to offering you the lowest prices on high-quality products.

How do I place an order with your pharmacy?

Ordering from us is very simple. You can purchase online or call Customer Service at 1.866.920.3784; for more information or to learn about the ordering process, visit our How to Order page.

Is there a limit on how many Cardene I can order at once?

CanadaPharmacyOnline.com can dispense up to a three-month supply of Cardene per prescription from your doctor.

Can I buy Cardene from you over the counter?

No, Cardene requires a valid prescription from your doctor. We do not sell this product without a valid prescription.

Do you ship to the United States?

Yes, we do. It usually takes between 7 and 18 business days to receive your order from our pharmacy.

Is there a generic for Cardene?

There is currently no generic equivalent available for Cardene at this pharmacy.

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The information on this page is sourced from independent third parties contracted by CanadaPharmacyOnline. While we cannot guarantee its medical accuracy, we strongly recommend consulting a healthcare professional for personalized advice regarding medications or medical conditions.

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