Skip to the answer

Nicardipine

Nicardipine is a calcium channel blocker used to treat high blood pressure, and in capsule form, chronic stable angina (chest pain from exertion).

Brand names CardeneCardene SRCardene IVNicardipine Hydrochloride in Sodium Chloride
Drug classes Calcium Channel Antagonists
Rx Forms 2
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Reviewed by Last reviewed Jul 10, 2026 Content updated Oct 2, 2026
🧬 Where this information comes from Click to expand

The clinical label records used on this page are FDA-filed Structured Product Labeling (SPL) retrieved through openFDA. We identified 26 clinical label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, strengths, and NDC product-record counts are built separately from matching FDA National Drug Code Directory records. The linked DailyMed document is a representative official source for verification, not the page’s only clinical source. View the linked label on DailyMed →

✓No current FDA shortage listed · checked Oct 5, 2026 🚨Recall on record · 4
Nicardipine at a glance The quick version — the full detail is in the Patient Information Guide below.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
The Pharmacist’s Take By · Clinical pharmacist · Written

Nicardipine is a calcium channel blocker that relaxes and widens blood vessels to treat high blood pressure and, as capsules, chronic stable angina (chest pain on exertion); on the market since about 1992 and available as a generic, the capsules are an older option, now used less often than once-daily amlodipine. Most people tolerate it reasonably well, though headache, flushing, a pounding heartbeat and ankle swelling are common. Report chest pain that comes more often or feels worse, especially after a dose increase, and any fainting. The IV form is a short-term hospital drip, used when medicines by mouth are not feasible.

Clinical pearls

  • Food can reduce how much nicardipine you absorb, so take the capsules the same way relative to meals each time.
  • If you take cyclosporine or tacrolimus after a transplant, expect extra blood level checks when nicardipine is started or changed.
  • Never stop a beta-blocker suddenly because you started nicardipine; it does not protect against beta-blocker withdrawal.
  • Tell your surgeon and anesthesia team you take it, since fentanyl anesthesia plus a beta-blocker has caused severe low blood pressure.
How we write & review this content — our editorial policy →
How you get itPrescription only
Comes asInjection, Capsule
Earliest FDA record1988
Companies listing it with the FDA29
FDA label last updatedApr 13, 2026
FDA’s strongest warning (boxed)None on the label

Patient information guide A plain-language walkthrough of Nicardipine, written from its FDA label.

What Nicardipine is used for

▾

Nicardipine is used for high blood pressure and, in capsule form, angina.

  • Nicardipine Hydrochloride capsules (oral): chronic stable angina, alone or with beta-blockers.
  • Nicardipine Hydrochloride capsules (oral): high blood pressure, alone or with other blood pressure drugs.
  • Cardene I.V. and other nicardipine injections (intravenous): short-term treatment of high blood pressure when oral therapy is not feasible.

How Nicardipine works

▾

Nicardipine blocks calcium from moving into heart muscle and blood vessel muscle cells. Those cells need calcium to contract. It works more on blood vessels than on the heart, so the vessels relax, resistance drops and blood pressure falls.

Nicardipine dosage

▾

The dosing differs by product, so follow your prescriber and the label.

  • Capsules: taken by mouth, generally three times a day. Doses are adjusted based on response, with at least 3 days between increases.
  • Injection: given by a healthcare professional as a continuous IV infusion. The rate is adjusted to your blood pressure.

Dosing details from the FDA-approved label

From the Nicardipine prescribing information (“Dosage and Administration”). Doses are set by your prescriber for your product, condition, kidney function and age — never change a dose on your own.

  • Substituting for oral nicardipine therapy (intravenous nicardipine in sodium chloride injection)
    • 20 mg q8h oral = 0.5 mg/hr (5 mL/hr at 0.1 mg/mL
    • 2.5 mL/hr at 0.2 mg/mL)
    • 30 mg q8h = 1.2 mg/hr (12 mL/hr at 0.1 mg/mL
    • 6 mL/hr at 0.2 mg/mL)
    • 40 mg q8h = 2.2 mg/hr (22 mL/hr at 0.1 mg/mL
    • 11 mL/hr at 0.2 mg/mL)
  • Initiation of therapy in a patient not receiving oral nicardipine (20 mg in 200 mL, 0.1 mg/mL)
    • Initiate at 50 mL/hr (5 mg/hr)
    • If desired blood pressure reduction is not achieved, increase by 25 mL/hr (2.5 mg/hr) every 5 minutes (rapid titration) to 15 minutes (gradual titration)
    • After the blood pressure goal is achieved with rapid titration, decrease the infusion rate to 30 mL/hr (3 mg/hr)
    • Maximum: 150 mL/hr (15 mg/hr)
  • Initiation of therapy in a patient not receiving oral nicardipine (40 mg in 200 mL, 0.2 mg/mL)
    • Initiate at 25 mL/hr (5 mg/hr)
    • If desired blood pressure reduction is not achieved, increase by 12.5 mL/hr (2.5 mg/hr) every 5 minutes (rapid titration) to 15 minutes (gradual titration)
    • After the blood pressure goal is achieved with rapid titration, decrease the infusion rate to 15 mL/hr (3 mg/hr)
    • Maximum: 75 mL/hr (15 mg/hr)
  • Restarting after discontinuation for hypotension or tachycardia
    • When blood pressure and heart rate stabilize, restart at low doses such as 30 to 50 mL/hr (3 to 5 mg/hr) for 20 mg in 200 mL, or 15 to 25 mL/hr (3 to 5 mg/hr) for 40 mg in 200 mL, and adjust to maintain desired blood pressure
  • Patients with heart failure or impaired hepatic or renal function
    • Titrate slowly
    • Slow titration in heart failure or impaired hepatic or renal function
  • Nicardipine hydrochloride injection (vials, must be diluted): drug-free patient
    • Initiate therapy at 5 mg/hr
    • Increase the infusion rate by 2.5 mg/hr until desired blood pressure reduction is achieved
    • For gradual reduction, increase every 15 minutes, for rapid reduction, every 5 minutes
    • If hypotension or tachycardia ensues, discontinue
    • After stabilization, restart at low doses such as 3 mg/hr to 5 mg/hr
    • Maximum: 15 mg/hr
    • Each 25 mg vial diluted with 240 mL of compatible IV fluid to 250 mL (0.1 mg/mL)
  • Nicardipine hydrochloride injection (vials): substituting for oral nicardipine therapy
    • 20 mg every 8 hours oral = 0.5 mg/hr
    • 30 mg every 8 hours = 1.2 mg/hr
    • 40 mg every 8 hours = 2.2 mg/hr
Read the label’s full dosing text

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION • For Intravenous Use. (2.1) • No further dilution is required. (2.3) • When substituting for oral nicardipine therapy, use the intravenous infusion rate from the table below (2.1): Oral Nicardipine Dose Equivalent I.V. Infusion rate (0.1 mg/mL) Equivalent I.V. Infusion Rate (0.2 mg/mL) 20 mg q8h 0.5 mg/hr = 5 mL/hr 0.5 mg/hr = 2.5 mL/hr 30 mg q8h 1.2 mg/hr = 12 mL/hr 1.2 mg/hr = 6 mL/hr 40 mg q8h 2.2 mg/hr = 22 mL/hr 2.2 mg/hr = 11 mL/hr • In a patient not receiving oral nicardipine, initiate therapy at 5 mg/hr. Increase the infusion rate by 2.5 mg/hr every 5 minutes (for rapid titration) to 15 minutes (for gradual titration) up to a maximum of 15 mg/hr until desired blood pressure reduction is achieved. (2.1) Conversion Table (mg/hr) Equivalent I.V. Infusion Rate (0.1 mg/mL) Equivalent I.V. Infusion Rate (0.2 mg/mL) 5 mg/hr 50 mL/hr 25 mL/hr 2.5 mg/hr 25 mL/hr 12.5 mL/hr 15 mg/hr 150 mL/hr 75 mL/hr • If unacceptable hypotension or tachycardia occurs, discontinue the infusion. When blood pressure and heart rate stabilize, restart the infusion at low doses such as 3 to 5 mg/hr. (2.2) 2.1 Recommended Dosing Nicardipine hydrochloride in sodium chloride injection is intended for intravenous use. Titrate dose to achieve the desired blood pressure reduction. Individualize dosage depending on the blood pressure to be obtained and the response of the patient. Dosage as a Substitute for Oral Nicardipine Therapy The intravenous infusion rate required to produce an average plasma concentration equivalent to a given oral dose at steady state is shown in the following table: Oral Nicardipine Dose Equivalent I.V. Infusion Rate 20 mg in 200 mL (0.1 mg/mL) Equivalent I.V. Infusion Rate 40 mg in 200mL (0.2 mg/mL) 20 mg q8h 0.5 mg/hr = 5 mL/hr 0.5 mg/hr = 2.5 mL/hr 30 mg q8h 1.2 mg/hr = 12 mL/hr 1.2 mg/hr = 6 mL/hr 40 mg q8h 2.2 mg/hr = 22 mL/hr 2.2 mg/hr = 11 mL/hr Dosage for Initiation of Therapy in a Patient Not Receiving Oral Nicardipine Nicardipine hydrochloride in sodium chloride injection 20 mg in 200 mL (0.1 mg/mL): Initiate therapy at 50 mL/hr (5 mg/hr).

Excerpted — the section continues on the label. Read the full Dosage and Administration section on DailyMed →

Nicardipine side effects

▾

Most side effects come from nicardipine widening blood vessels.

Common side effects

  • Swelling of the feet or ankles (pedal edema)
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Weakness or tiredness (asthenia)
  • Flushing
  • Palpitations (pounding or fast heartbeat)
  • Nausea
  • Increased angina

When to get medical help

  • Chest pain that is more frequent, lasts longer or is more severe, especially after starting or raising the dose
  • Very low blood pressure, fainting or a very fast heartbeat
  • Slow heartbeat, confusion, drowsiness or slurred speech after a suspected overdose
  • Worsening shortness of breath or swelling if you have heart failure
  • Pain, swelling or redness at the IV site

Nicardipine warnings and precautions

▾
  • Angina can worsen in some people, especially at the start or after a dose increase.
  • Use caution in heart failure, especially with a beta-blocker.
  • Liver and kidney problems can raise drug levels or prolong its effect.
  • Nicardipine does not protect against beta-blocker withdrawal. Reduce beta-blockers gradually.
  • IV use can irritate veins. The infusion site is changed every 12 hours.

Nicardipine interactions

▾

Several medicines can clash with nicardipine.

  • Cyclosporine and tacrolimus: nicardipine can raise their blood levels.
  • Cimetidine: raises nicardipine levels.
  • Digoxin: levels should be checked after starting nicardipine.
  • Fentanyl anesthesia with a beta-blocker: severe low blood pressure has been reported with beta-blocker plus calcium channel blocker use.

Interactions listed in the FDA-approved label

From the Nicardipine prescribing information (“Drug Interactions”): what the manufacturer studied or reported to the FDA.

  • Beta-blockers: Adrenergic beta-receptor blockers have been frequently administered concomitantly with nicardipine in controlled clinical studies and the combination is well tolerated.
  • Cimetidine: Cimetidine increases nicardipine hydrochloride plasma levels. Patients receiving the two drugs concomitantly should be carefully monitored.
  • Digoxin: Some calcium blockers may increase the concentration of digitalis preparations in the blood; nicardipine usually does not alter the plasma levels of digoxin. Serum digoxin levels should be evaluated after concomitant therapy with nicardipine is initiated.
  • Maalox: Coadministration of Maalox TC had no effect on nicardipine hydrochloride absorption.
  • Fentanyl anesthesia: Severe hypotension has been reported during fentanyl anesthesia with concomitant use of a beta-blocker and a calcium channel blocker; such interactions were not seen during clinical studies with nicardipine. An increased volume of circulating fluids might be required if such an interaction were to occur.
  • Cyclosporine: Oral or intravenous nicardipine results in elevated plasma cyclosporine levels through nicardipine inhibition of hepatic microsomal enzymes, including CYP3A4. Closely monitor plasma concentrations of cyclosporine and reduce its dosage accordingly.
  • Tacrolimus: Oral or intravenous nicardipine may result in elevated plasma tacrolimus levels through nicardipine inhibition of hepatic microsomal enzymes, including CYP3A4. Closely monitor plasma concentrations of tacrolimus during nicardipine administration and adjust the tacrolimus dose accordingly.
  • Furosemide, propranolol, dipyridamole, warfarin, quinidine, naproxen: When therapeutic concentrations were added to human plasma (in vitro), the plasma protein binding of nicardipine was not altered.
Read the label’s full interactions text

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Cimetidine increases nicardipine plasma levels ( 7.3 ). Nicardipine may increase cyclosporine and tacrolimus plasma levels. Frequent monitoring of trough blood levels of cyclosporine and tacrolimus is recommended when co-administering nicardipine. ( 7.5 , 7.6 ). 7.1 Antihypertensive Agents Since nicardipine hydrochloride injection may be administered to patients already being treated with other medications, including other antihypertensive agents, careful monitoring of these patients is necessary to detect and to treat promptly any undesired effects from concomitant administration. 7.2 Beta-Blockers In most patients, nicardipine hydrochloride injection can safely be used concomitantly with beta-blockers. However, monitor response carefully when combining nicardipine hydrochloride injection with a beta-blocker in the treatment of congestive heart failure patients [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] . 7.3 Cimetidine Cimetidine has been shown to increase nicardipine plasma concentrations with oral nicardipine administration. Carefully monitor patients receiving the two drugs concomitantly. Data with other histamine-2 antagonists are not available. 7.4 Digoxin Studies have shown that oral nicardipine usually does not alter digoxin plasma concentrations. 7.5 Cyclosporine Concomitant administration of oral or intravenous nicardipine and cyclosporine results in elevated plasma cyclosporine levels through nicardipine inhibition of hepatic microsomal enzymes, including CYP3A4. Monitor closely plasma concentrations of cyclosporine during nicardipine hydrochloride injection administration, and adjust the dose of cyclosporine accordingly. 7.6 Tacrolimus Concomitant administration of intravenous nicardipine and tacrolimus may result in elevated plasma tacrolimus levels through nicardipine inhibition of hepatic microsomal enzymes, including CYP3A4.

Excerpted — the section continues on the label. Read the full Drug Interactions section on DailyMed →

Not a complete list. The label covers the interactions the manufacturer studied or reported, and our own interaction database does not cover every medicine either. Bring your full medication list, including vitamins and herbal products, to your pharmacist.

🌿243 supplements and herbs with documented Nicardipine interactions, ranked by severity Check Nicardipine against a supplement or herb →

Before taking Nicardipine

▾
  • Advanced aortic stenosis: the injection should not be used.
  • Heart failure or angina: tell your doctor.
  • Liver or kidney disease: doses may need adjusting.
  • Pregnancy: animal data suggest possible harm to the baby, so talk to your doctor.

Nicardipine overdose

▾

A very large overdose caused extremely low blood pressure, a very slow heart rate, drowsiness, confusion and slurred speech. Treatment is supportive care, close monitoring of blood pressure and heart function, and a vasopressor (a medicine that raises blood pressure) for profound low blood pressure. Intravenous calcium gluconate may help reverse the effects.

What Nicardipine does in the body

▾

Nicardipine significantly lowers systemic vascular resistance, meaning the resistance blood meets in the body's vessels. The widening of vessels and the drop in blood pressure are more pronounced in people with high blood pressure than in people with normal blood pressure.

How your body processes Nicardipine

▾

Capsules are completely absorbed, but the liver breaks down much of the drug on its first pass, so about 35% reaches the bloodstream. Blood levels appear within about 20 minutes and peak at about 1 hour. A high-fat meal can lower levels by 20% to 30%. The liver processes nicardipine extensively, and little is passed unchanged in urine. Levels are higher with liver or kidney impairment.

How to store Nicardipine

▾

Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F). Protect from light .

Written from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

243

Supplements & herbs that interact with Nicardipine

243 supplements and herbal products have documented interactions with Nicardipine in the licensed clinical database we use. Most are manageable — but your pharmacist should know about everything you take, including vitamins and herbals.

Severity mix
  • Major · 11
  • Moderate · 191
  • Minor · 41
ACTIVATED CHARCOAL Major AMERICAN HELLEBORE Major AMERICAN MISTLETOE Major ARSENIC Major CESIUM Major COLEUS Major EPHEDRA Major GRAPEFRUIT Major +235 more
Every supplement checked against Nicardipine — ranked by severity The full interaction hub: 11 major · 191 moderate · 41 minor · every one linked to its full report. Check Nicardipine against your exact supplements

Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — see our data sources & update cadence. Not medical advice: an interaction being documented does not mean it will happen to you; do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.

2

Nutrient depletion considerations

Nicardipine has been associated with lower levels of 2 nutrients in the clinical literature. This does not mean a deficiency will occur — it means these may be worth discussing with your pharmacist or healthcare provider, especially with long-term use.

COENZYME Q10 Insufficient Evidence VITAMIN C Insufficient Evidence
See the full Nicardipine nutrient depletion report

Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — not medical advice. Do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.

Nicardipine: pharmacist answers to common questions

Quick, plain-English answers to the questions patients ask most about Nicardipine — the kind of thing our pharmacy team would talk through with you at the counter.

What is nicardipine for?

▾
Nicardipine treats high blood pressure. The capsules are also used for chronic stable angina, which is chest pain brought on by effort. The IV form is used short term in a medical setting when pills are not an option.

How do I take the capsules?

▾
You take them by mouth, usually three times a day, and your prescriber adjusts the dose to your blood pressure. Doses shouldn't be raised more often than every 3 days. Food can lower how much drug is absorbed, so ask me about timing with meals.

What side effects should I expect?

▾
Common ones include ankle swelling, dizziness, headache, flushing, weakness and a pounding heartbeat. These come from the blood vessels widening. Call your doctor if your chest pain gets worse, you faint, or your heart races.

Can I take it with my other medicines?

▾
Tell me about everything you take. Nicardipine raises levels of cyclosporine and tacrolimus, and cimetidine raises nicardipine levels. Your doctor may check digoxin levels after you start.

Is it safe with a beta-blocker or if I have heart failure?

▾
Beta-blockers are often used with it and are generally well tolerated. Be cautious with heart failure, especially combined with a beta-blocker, since nicardipine can weaken the heart's pumping in some people. Never stop a beta-blocker suddenly.

What if I'm pregnant?

▾
Tell your doctor right away. Animal data suggest it may harm the baby, and the IV form has been linked to side effects for mother and baby in preeclampsia or preterm labor. Your doctor will weigh the risks for you.

Is Nicardipine available over the counter?

▾
No. Nicardipine is a prescription medicine: every Nicardipine product listed with the FDA is prescription only, so it is not sold over the counter. Your prescriber decides whether it is appropriate for you, and your pharmacist dispenses it.

When was Nicardipine first available?

▾
The earliest FDA record we hold for Nicardipine is from 1988: its first approval in Drugs@FDA or its earliest product listing in the NDC Directory, whichever is older. Many older medicines were in use before their first formal FDA approval, so this is the earliest date on record, not necessarily when Nicardipine was first used.

Who makes Nicardipine?

▾
29 companies currently list Nicardipine products in the FDA's NDC Directory, including Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc., ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. That count includes repackagers and distributors as well as manufacturers (companies that sell only the raw ingredient are not counted), so fewer companies actually make it; the label on your bottle names the one that supplied yours.

Answers drafted from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

More about Nicardipine on HelloPharmacist

📊Nicardipine supplement interactions243 checked — ranked by severity 🌿Drug & Supplement CheckerNicardipine vs. vitamins & herbs 💬Ask a PharmacistFree answer, usually < 24h 🔎NDC & pricing lookupFind Nicardipine NDCs & costs 🅰️Browse Drugs A–ZLook up any medication
Detailed data & references for Nicardipine Forms & strengths, pricing, billing codes, manufacturers, safety reports and sourcing — the data behind the page. Most people can stop here. Each section below opens on a tap.

Nicardipine forms and strengths (how it comes)

Nicardipine is available in 2 forms. Different forms and brands can have different approved uses, doses, schedules, and directions. Follow the instructions for your exact product, and do not switch forms without guidance from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Injection

Into a vein
Brands Cardene Iv Nicardipine Hydrochloride in Sodium Chloride
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Cardene I.V. is used for short-term treatment of high blood pressure in adults when oral therapy is not feasible.
  • Nicardipine Hydrochloride in Sodium Chloride injection is used for short-term treatment of high blood pressure when oral therapy is not feasible.
Important instructions
  • Cardene I.V. is given by IV infusion, with the rate adjusted to your blood pressure response.
  • Nicardipine Hydrochloride injection vials may need dilution before use, depending on the product.
  • Nicardipine Hydrochloride injection is given by slow infusion through a central line or large vein, with the site changed every 12 hours if a peripheral vein is used.
  • Nicardipine Hydrochloride injection patients are moved to oral medicine when their condition allows, for longer-term blood pressure control.
Available strengths 5 strengths
0.1 mg/mL 0.2 mg/mL 2.5 mg/10 mL 2.5 mg/mL 25 mg/10 mL
57 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Capsule

By mouth
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Nicardipine Hydrochloride capsules are used for chronic stable angina, alone or with beta-blockers.
  • Nicardipine Hydrochloride capsules are used for high blood pressure, alone or with other blood pressure medicines.
Important instructions
  • Nicardipine Hydrochloride capsules are taken by mouth, generally three times daily, with the dose adjusted to your response.
  • Nicardipine Hydrochloride capsule doses should not be increased more often than every 3 days.
  • Nicardipine Hydrochloride capsules may reach lower blood levels after a high-fat meal, so ask your pharmacist about timing with food.
Available strengths 2 strengths
20 mg 30 mg
26 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Nicardipine on the U.S. market: products, makers and brands

How Nicardipine appears in the FDA’s National Drug Code Directory — including its dosage forms, strengths, brand names, manufacturers, and FDA-listed product records. These are directory records, not sales or prescription volume.

29 companies list 51 Nicardipine product records with the FDA, mostly as injection, capsule; the earliest marketing or approval year on record is 1988. Brand names on the directory include Cardene, Cardene SR, Cardene IV and 1 more; the rest are generics.

2
Dose forms ⓘ
29
Labelers (makers, repackagers, distributors)
3
Brand names
51
FDA-listed product records ⓘ
1988
Earliest FDA record ⓘ

FDA-listed product records by dose form (tablet variants merged) — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

Also listed with the FDA, not a patient dose form: Powder (7) — bulk drug substance sold to compounders/manufacturers and multi-item kits. These aren’t counted in the dose-form total above.

Baxter Healthcare Corporation14%
Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.8%
ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.4%
Amerisyn LLC4%
Amici Pharma Inc4%
Amneal Pharmaceuticals NY LLC4%
Other makers63%

Share of FDA-listed product records by manufacturer — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

How widely Nicardipine is used (Medicaid data)

A general measure of how commonly Nicardipine is prescribed, based on Medicaid — one of the largest public drug programs. The figure below is prescriptions filled in Q1–Q4 2025, summed across every form and brand of the drug.

Think of this as a proxy for how widely Nicardipine is used, drawn from freely available public data. Medicaid is just one program — these numbers don’t include Medicare, other government coverage, or commercial and cash-pay prescriptions, so real-world use is higher than what’s shown here.

890
Medicaid prescriptions filled (Q1–Q4 2025)
$432,104 gross Medicaid reimbursement (before mandatory rebates — net cost is lower)

How commonly is Nicardipine prescribed? Of the 1,601 medications we measure, Nicardipine ranks #1,301 by Medicaid prescriptions — more than 19% of them.

Where Nicardipine ranks among the drugs we measure · Q1–Q4 2025 · neighbors ±5
Total prescriptions — #1,301 of 1,601
#1,296 Phentermine and Topira... 914 Rx #1,297 Neomycin, Polymyxin, B... 911 Rx #1,298 Teclistamab-cqyv Injec... 895 Rx #1,299 Colistimethate Injecti... 894 Rx #1,300 Metoclopramide Nasal S... 893 Rx #1,301 Nicardipine 890 Rx #1,302 Carbidopa / Entacapone... 868 Rx #1,303 Cysteamine 867 Rx #1,304 Etomidate 858 Rx #1,305 Salsalate 856 Rx #1,306 Bosentan 852 Rx

Utilization by Nicardipine product

Pick a product to see its own Medicaid numbers. Each chip is one clinical product — a specific strength & dosage form as defined by RxNorm — with brand-name and generic versions combined.

The 10 mL / 2.5 mg/mL injection is the most-dispensed Nicardipine product — about 61% of these Medicaid prescriptions.

10 ML nicardipine hydrochloride 2.5 MG/ML Injection Most dispensed

544 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 61% of Nicardipine prescriptions shown $313,259 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $576 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 3 of 49 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 858607

200 ML nicardipine hydrochloride 0.1 MG/ML Injection

142 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 16% of Nicardipine prescriptions shown $10,611 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $75 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 2 of 17 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 858599

200 ML nicardipine hydrochloride 0.2 MG/ML Injection

91 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 10% of Nicardipine prescriptions shown $96,831 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $1,064 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 2 of 15 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 858603

nicardipine hydrochloride 20 MG Oral Capsule

72 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 8% of Nicardipine prescriptions shown $9,333 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $130 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 2 of 17 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 858613

nicardipine hydrochloride 30 MG Oral Capsule

41 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 5% of Nicardipine prescriptions shown $2,070 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $50 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 2 of 17 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 858616

Shares are of the Medicaid prescriptions shown here. Product grouping follows RxNorm (the National Library of Medicine’s drug terminology), so “one product” means one strength & dosage form regardless of manufacturer. Dollar figures are gross Medicaid reimbursement before mandatory rebates — rebates (often large, especially for brand-name drugs) are confidential, so actual net cost to Medicaid is lower than shown.

Source: Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data (CMS), aggregated by generic ingredient — summed across every NDC (all brands, strengths, salt forms and dosage forms) of Nicardipine, and across all states and both fee-for-service and managed-care claims. A general popularity signal; it excludes Medicare, commercial insurance and cash prescriptions, so it is not total U.S. use. Based on the 11 of 115 listed Nicardipine NDCs with Medicaid activity.

Compare Nicardipine products

A representative set of FDA-listed product records for Nicardipine — across manufacturers, strengths, and dosage forms, grouped by form with each product’s manufacturer and how the FDA approved it. The same medicine may be made and packaged by different companies, so a single drug can have many directory entries. (It’s also why a refill can look different — a new shape, color, or box — even though it contains the same medication.)

Showing 51 of 51 products — FDA National Drug Code Directory. See every product, package size and price: browse all 51 Nicardipine NDCs →

Nicardipine recall history

A recall is when a specific batch of a medicine is pulled from the market — usually a manufacturing issue, not a problem with the drug itself. Class I is most serious, Class III least.

The FDA’s enforcement reports list 5 Nicardipine recalls since July 2021, covering 7 product listings. Four of them are still ongoing or began in the last six months and are listed first. A recall names specific lots from one company, so check the lot number on your own bottle rather than assuming every product is affected; your pharmacist can check whether your supply came from an affected lot.

Ongoing Class II Aug 6, 2026 · Baxter Healthcare Corporation
CGMP Deviations
  • CARDENE IV (Nicardipine Hydrochloride) in 0.83% Sodium Chloride Injection, 40 mg in 200 mL (0.2 mg/mL) in GALAXY Single-Dose Container, Manufactured and Marketed by: Baxter Healthcare Corporation, De… Lots: Lot # NC177818, Exp Date: 12/31/2026; Lot # NC188869, Exp Date: 12/31/2027. FDA record D-0813-2026 →
Ongoing Class II Jul 24, 2026 · American Regent, Inc.
Presence of Particulate Matter: Product contaminated with particulate matter identified as hair, glass and/or paraformaldehyde
  • niCARdipine Hydrochloride Injection, USP, 25 mg/10mL (2.5 mg/mL), packaged in a) 10 mL Single Dose Vial (NDC 72572-470-01) and b) 10x10 mL Single Dose Vials (NDC 72572-470-10), Rx Only, Mfd for: Civi… Lots: Lot #: 25295N0C0, Exp. Date: 04/30/2027. FDA record D-0802-2026 →
Ongoing Class II Apr 18, 2025 · American Regent, Inc.
Lack of sterility assurance: Product leakage around the vial neck, which could potentially result in a lack of sterility assurance.
  • niCARdipine Hydrochloride Injection, USP, 25 mg/10 mL (2.5 mg/mL), 10 mL Single Dose Vial, Rx Only, American Regent, Inc., Shirley, NY 11967. NDC carton: 0517-0735-10 / NDC Vial: 0517-0735-01] Lots: Lots, expiry: Lot 24086N0C0, 7/31/2025; Lot 24076N0C0, Lot 24090N0C0, 8/31/2025, Lot 25011N0C0, 6/30/2026; FDA record D-0399-2025 →
  • niCARdipine Hydrochloride Injection, USP, 25 mg/10 mL (2.5 mg/mL), 10 mL Single Dose Vial, Rx Only, Mfd for: Civica, Inc., Lehi, UT 84043,Mfd by: American Regent, Inc., New Albany, OH 43064. NDC Cart… Lots: Lots, expiry: Lot 24025N0C0, 6/30/2025; Lot 24115N0C0, 10/31/2025; Lot 24116N0C0, 3/31/2026; Lot 24160N0C0, 12/31/2025; Lot 24217N0C0, 01/31/2026; Lot 24288N0C0, 04/30/2026; Lot 24331N0C0, 5/31/2026 FDA record D-0398-2025 →
Ongoing Class II Feb 20, 2024 · Eugia US LLC
Failed Impurities/Degradation Specifications: Out of specification for organic impurities
  • Nicardipine Hydrochloride Injection, USP 25mg/mL (2.5 mg/mL) 10 mL vials, Distributed by: AuroMedics Pharma LLC 279 Princeton-Hightstown Rd. E. Windsor, NJ 08520, NDC 55150-183-11 Lots: Lot #: 3NC22019, Exp. Date 2/24 FDA record D-0391-2024 →
  • Nicardipine Hydrochloride Injection (2.5mg/mL), US, 25mg per 10mL, 10mL Vial, Rx only, Distributed by: AuroMedics Pharma LLC 279 Princeton-Hightstown Rd. E. Windsor, NJ 08520 NDC 55150-183-10 Lots: Lot #: 3NC23002, Exp. Date 7/24; 3NC22013, 3NC22014, 3NC22015, 3NC22016, 3NC22017, 3NC22018, Exp. Date 2/24; 3NC22020, Exp. Date 3/24 FDA record D-0390-2024 →
Class II May 14, 2024 · Terminated · American Regent, Inc.
Lack of Assurance of Sterility.
  • niCARdipine Hydrochloride Injection, USP, 25 mg/10 mL (2.5 mg/mL), 10 x 10 mL Single Dose Vials, Rx Only, For Intravenous Use Only, Mfd for: Civica, Inc., Lehi, UT 84043; Mfd by: American Regent, Inc… Lots: Lot #: 23087N0C0, Exp. Date 11/2024 FDA record D-0503-2024 →

Source: FDA enforcement (recall) reports, via openFDA; our copy was last updated Sep 24, 2026.

RxNorm Concept Web — From Ingredient to Every Form and Strength

This page starts with one ingredient concept (IN). The branches below show its dose-form concepts (SCDF), then the available clinical drug and strength concepts (SCD). Combination products remain separate concepts with their own pages.

Ingredient (IN) Nicardipine RxCUI 7396 3 dose forms · 7 strengths
  1. Dose form (SCDF) Extended Release Oral Capsule RxCUI 373059 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 12 HR nicardipine hydrochloride 30 MG RxCUI 858587 12 HR nicardipine hydrochloride 45 MG RxCUI 858580

Look up RxCUI 7396 in the RxCUI Atlas →

RxNorm is the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s normalized drug vocabulary. Its concept hierarchy can include forms that are not currently marketed; the status on each branch compares that concept with current FDA listings. RxCUIs identify vocabulary concepts, not individual packages or manufacturers.

Nicardipine brand names

Nicardipine is sold under 4 brand names in the FDA directory — Cardene, Cardene SR, Cardene IV, Nicardipine Hydrochloride in Sodium Chloride. A brand and its generic contain the same active ingredient; the brand name belongs to one company's product.

Cardene Cardene SR Cardene IV Nicardipine Hydrochloride in Sodium Chloride

Who makes Nicardipine: manufacturers and labelers

29 companies list Nicardipine products with the FDA. By number of product records, the largest are Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc., ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Labelers include manufacturers and repackagers; the product in your bottle depends on which one your pharmacy stocks.

Baxter Healthcare Corporation 7 Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. 4 ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2 Amerisyn LLC 2 Amici Pharma Inc 2 Amneal Pharmaceuticals NY LLC 2 Bionpharma Inc. 2 Burel Pharmaceuticals, LLC 2 Caplin Steriles Limited 2 Cipla USA Inc. 2 Epic Pharma, LLC 2 Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA 2 PuraCap Laboratories LLC dba Blu Pharmaceuticals 2 Somerset Therapeutics, LLC 2 WG Critical Care, LLC 2 American Regent, Inc. 1 Archis Pharma LLC 1 Armas Pharmaceuticals Inc. 1 Chengdu Shuode Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd 1 Civica, Inc. 1 Eugia US LLC 1 Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC 1 HF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst 1 Lifestar Pharma LLC 1

…and 5 more on the FDA NDC directory.

Nicardipine drug class (RxNorm)

Nicardipine belongs to the Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker class.

Pharmacologic class Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker
Drug family (ATC) Dihydropyridine derivatives
How it works Calcium Channel Antagonists, Cytochrome P450 2D6 Inhibitors, Cytochrome P450 2C19 Inhibitors, Cytochrome P450 3A4 Inhibitors

Classified by RxNorm RxClass — the U.S. National Library of Medicine's standardized drug-classification service (Established Pharmacologic Class from the FDA, the ATC drug family from the WHO, and mechanism of action). Reference only, not medical advice.

Sources for this Nicardipine page

Core label, product, RxNorm, safety, and utilization data on this page come from the sources identified below. AI-written, editorial, and licensed sections are labeled separately.

📄
FDA-filed drug labels (SPL) Uses, dosing, warnings & side effects from SPL records retrieved through openFDA; the linked representative set can be verified on DailyMed. ✓ Linked label effective Apr 13, 2026
🏭
Forms, brands & labelersAggregated from ingredient-matched FDA National Drug Code Directory product records for Nicardipine.
📈
Real-world reportsThe FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), served through openFDA.
🚨
Recalls & shortagesopenFDA drug-enforcement reports and the FDA drug-shortage database.
🧾 Clinical label set — FDA-filed SPL labels retained for Nicardipine after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching
Clinical labels in scope
26
Finished products in the current FDA directory
51
Companies listing them (makers, repackagers, distributors)
29
FDA labeler codes behind them ⓘ
28
Linked representative label ⓘ
Baxter Healthcare Corporation
Linked label effective
Apr 13, 2026
Composite sections available
22
Linked SPL Set ID
5499cfac-9147-4d5d-a8cb-f8d64f1481af
Linked SPL Document ID
bf4088a4-3cf9-4963-bfdd-79a641a552d7
Open the linked representative label on DailyMed ↗

How this page is built

HelloPharmacist combines public FDA and NLM records and does not author the underlying clinical facts. The plain-language sections are written with AI from the FDA-approved label text and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Baxter Healthcare Corporation is the representative DailyMed label linked for verification and dates. This is general education, not medical advice: always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own medicines. How we build and review drug pages →