Nicardipine Dosing: An Introduction
The dose of
nicardipine hydrochloride (
Cardene®) your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- The medical condition being treated
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may currently be taking.
As is always the case, do not adjust your nicardipine dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
Nicardipine Dosing for Angina or Hypertension
The recommended starting nicardipine dose for treating chest pain (
angina) or
high blood pressure (
hypertension) is nicardipine 20 mg three times daily. If necessary, your healthcare provider may increase your dose (up to nicardipine 40 mg three times daily). The dosage can also be decreased if you experience bothersome nicardipine side effects.
When taking nicardipine for
blood pressure, it is important to know that nicardipine has a much greater effect on blood pressure when it is at its peak (one to two hours after a dose) than at its lowest point (just before your next dose). It is recommended that you measure your blood pressure one to two hours after your first dose, as well as just before your next dose (about eight hours later), when first starting nicardipine.
People who have liver problems (such as liver failure or
cirrhosis) should start with a lower dose, nicardipine 20 mg twice daily. Even if the dose is increased, nicardipine should not be taken more than twice daily by people who have liver problems.
