Have you ever seen someone who has been hospitalized suddenly for high blood pressure being given a saline solution? Or have you had a similar experience? Often, one of the drugs that doctors use to quickly control blood pressure in such emergencies is Nicardipine. This is not a home remedy. So, today we will talk about this important drug in a little more detail, very simply.
Simply put, what is Nicardipine?
Nicardipine is a medication used to treat high blood pressure . It is used to control high blood pressure, especially when it becomes an emergency.
Now let's see how this works. Imagine that the blood vessels in our body are like pipes that carry water. If these pipes become narrow, the motor (that is, our heart) has to work harder to pump the water. Isn't it? Our blood vessels are the same. When they become tight and narrow, the heart feels a lot of strain to pump blood. That's when the pressure increases.
Nicardipine works by relaxing the narrowed blood vessels . When the blood vessels widen, the resistance to blood flow is reduced. This allows the heart to pump blood more easily without having to work as hard. This also lowers blood pressure.
Medically speaking, this medicine belongs to a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers . What these do is stop calcium from entering the smooth muscle cells of the blood vessels. When calcium is lost, those muscles relax. That's simply what happens. In Sri Lanka, this medicine can be found under the brand name Cardene IV .
Things you need to tell your doctor before giving this medicine
Even though this is a medication that is given in a hospital, it is very important that your doctor has a complete picture of your health history. Only then can he or she be able to decide exactly whether this medication is right for you and how to give it. Therefore, if you have any of the conditions below, be sure to tell your doctor about it .
| Health condition or issue | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| If you have had a previous bleeding in the brain or stroke | In situations like this, controlling blood pressure is very important. Therefore, the doctor must be aware of this. |
| If you have other heart diseases | Because nicardipine affects heart function, it is essential to be aware of other heart conditions. |
| If you have kidney or liver disease | Because these organs are involved in the process of removing drugs from the body, the doctor should be aware of their function. |
| If you have an allergy to nicardipine or any other medicine, food, or dye. | This information is essential to prevent a serious allergic reaction. |
| If you are pregnant , expecting a baby , or breastfeeding | This information is essential to consider the possible effects on the baby during pregnancy and breastfeeding. |
How do you get this medicine and what to watch out for?
This is not a pill or syrup to take at home. Nicardipine is a medicine that is given into a vein . This means that the medicine is slowly injected into your body, often through a saline solution. This treatment is only given in a hospital or clinic under medical supervision. So you don't need to take it home or keep it.
The most important thing is that while you are being given this medicine, the doctors and nursing staff will continue to monitor your blood pressure and heart rate, so you are safe.
Keep these things in mind when taking medication:
- Drowsiness or dizziness: This medicine may make you feel a little drowsy or dizzy. Therefore, do not do anything that requires alertness, such as driving or operating machinery, while taking the medicine and for a short time afterwards.
- Don't get up too quickly: Don't get up from a sitting position or bed suddenly. Especially if you are an elderly person, doing so can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure (Postural Hypotension) and dizziness, which can lead to a fall. Get up slowly.
What happens if you take too much medicine?
Since this is administered in a hospital setting by trained staff, the chances of an overdose are very low. However, if this does happen, immediately report to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) or, if necessary, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
What other medications may interact with Nicardipine?
If you are taking medication for another condition, it is very important to tell your doctor about it, as some medications can interact with nicardipine and cause unwanted effects.
Below are some such medications:
- Some medications for blood pressure, heart disease, or irregular heartbeat.
- Cimetidine
- Cyclosporine
- Digoxin
- Fentanyl
- Tacrolimus
Important: This list is not exhaustive. So tell your doctor about all the medications you take (including vitamins, herbal remedies, and Ayurvedic medicines). Also, tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol.
What are the possible side effects of this medicine?
Like any medicine, nicardipine can cause side effects. However, not everyone gets them. Some are serious and should be reported immediately. Others are usually not serious, but if they persist, you should tell your doctor.
| Serious side effects that should be reported to medical staff immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Symptoms of a heart attack | Pain or tightness in the chest, shoulder, arm, or jaw, nausea, difficulty breathing, feeling cold, fainting. |
| Low blood pressure | Dizziness, fainting, blurred vision. |
| Increased chest pain (angina) | Increased pain, pressure, or tightness in the chest, neck, or arm. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Headache | It can occur during or after the medication is given. |
| Facial flushing | Feeling hot or red in the face. |
| Palpitations (feeling of rapid heartbeat) | Feeling your heart beating fast or irregularly. |
| Swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet | It can be caused by fluid accumulation in the body. |
| Digestive system problems | Nausea, stomach pain, or constipation. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you experience any other unusual symptoms, please tell your doctor or nurse.
Take-Home Message
- Nicardipine is an injection given into a vein in a hospital to control high blood pressure. It is not a medicine to use at home.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about any other illnesses you have, allergies, and any other medications you are taking.
- This medicine may cause dizziness and drowsiness. Therefore, be careful during and for a while after taking the medicine. Do not change positions suddenly.
- If you experience any serious symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, or severe dizziness, notify medical staff immediately.
- This medicine is given under strict medical supervision, so you don't have to worry about your safety. Ask your doctors and nurses if you have any questions.
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