Drug Interaction Report

Nicardipine and Telaprevir: Interaction Details

AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature

Telaprevir

No brand names on record
+

Nicardipine

Cardene Cardene® Cardene® SR
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Medically reviewed by
Updated Aug 8, 2026
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Interaction severity
Moderate
Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
How we grade severity & evidence

Severity levels

  • Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
  • Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
  • Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
  • Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.

Evidence grades

  • Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
  • Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
  • Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
  • Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
  • Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.

Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.

Of 57 documented Nicardipine interactions, 22 are rated moderate — including this one.
Onset
unspecified
Evidence
theoretical
Severity
Moderate

What happens

Increased niCARdipine plasma concentrations

Interaction Deep Dive

Although niCARdipine and telaprevir have not been specifically studied together, coadministration of amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker, and telaprevir led to significantly increased amlodipine plasma concentrations in a pharmacokinetic study. Use of niCARdipine, also a calcium channel blocker, together with telaprevir may have similar results. If coadministration of niCARdipine and telaprevir is necessary, clinical monitoring is recommended1.

Why it happens (mechanism)

Unknown

Literature reports

1 report — tap to read

a) Although niCARdipine and telaprevir have not been specifically studied together, a pharmacokinetic study in healthy subjects or chronic hepatitis C patients (n=19) demonstrated concomitant administration of single-dose amlodipine 5 mg and telaprevir 750 mg every 8 hours for 7 days resulted in increases in amlodipine AUC and Cmax. The ratio estimate for amlodipine AUC and Cmax (with telaprevir to without telaprevir) was 2.79 (90% confidence interval (CI), 2.58 to 3.01) and 1.27 (90% CI, 1.21 to 1.33), respectively 1.

Common questions

Can I take Nicardipine and Telaprevir together?

Increased niCARdipine plasma concentrations Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.

How serious is the Nicardipine and Telaprevir interaction?

It is rated moderate. Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.

How quickly could this interaction happen?

The documented onset is "unspecified". The timing of this interaction is not well characterized.

How strong is the evidence for this interaction?

The evidence is graded "theoretical". Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.

Questions for your pharmacist

  • Does my dose of Nicardipine or Telaprevir need adjusting while I take them together?
  • What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
  • Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
  • Is there anything you'd monitor while I'm on both?

References (1)

  1. Product Information: INCIVEK(TM) film coated oral tablets, telaprevir film coated oral tablets. Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, Cambridge, MA, 2011.
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Beyond drug–drug

These medications also interact with supplements

Prescription drugs aren't the whole picture — herbal and dietary supplements can interact with them too. From the evidence-graded Natural Medicines database:

major · moderate · minor — check everything you take with our drug–supplement interaction checker.

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This information is for education, not a substitute for professional medical advice. Do not start, stop, or change any medication without talking to your pharmacist or prescriber.