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Drug interactions

Calcium + Nicardipine

Severity: Moderate

Calcium and Nicardipine: moderate interaction.

Last updated

For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.

Summary

Intravenous calcium can reverse the vasodilation and blood pressure lowering of nicardipine. Oral supplements at usual doses are unlikely to matter clinically.

What this interaction means in plain words

Calcium and Nicardipine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.

Calcium belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Nicardipine belongs to Cardiovascular.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Increased extracellular calcium opposes L-type calcium channel blockade (pharmacodynamic antagonism).

What to do

Monitor blood pressure when IV calcium is given with nicardipine and adjust the antihypertensive if needed. Routine oral calcium needs no change.

What to ask your pharmacist

  • Should I take them at different times of day?
  • Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
  • Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Calcium with Nicardipine?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Calcium and Nicardipine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Intravenous calcium can reverse the vasodilation and blood pressure lowering of nicardipine. Oral supplements at usual doses are unlikely to matter clinically.

How serious is the interaction between Calcium and Nicardipine?

MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor blood pressure when IV calcium is given with nicardipine and adjust the antihypertensive if needed. Routine oral calcium needs no change.

What other medicines interact with Calcium?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Calcium with, for example, Ceftriaxone, Acalabrutinib, Alendronate. The full list is on the Calcium page.

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