Drug interactions
Fosphenytoin + Nicardipine
Severity: Moderate
Fosphenytoin 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
Phenytoin, the active form of fosphenytoin, induces CYP3A4 and can markedly lower nicardipine concentrations. This may lead to inadequate blood pressure control. Nicardipine may also affect phenytoin levels in some patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Fosphenytoin 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.
Fosphenytoin belongs to Central Nervous System; Nicardipine belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Phenytoin induces CYP3A4, increasing nicardipine clearance.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure and titrate nicardipine upward as needed; consider checking phenytoin levels when nicardipine is changed.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Fosphenytoin and Nicardipine, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Nicardipine
Other interactions of Fosphenytoin
- Dronedarone + Fosphenytoin Contraindicated
- Fosphenytoin + Ledipasvir-sofosbuvir Contraindicated
- Fosphenytoin + Lorlatinib Contraindicated
- Fosphenytoin + Lurasidone Contraindicated
- Fosphenytoin + Ranolazine Contraindicated
- Fosphenytoin + Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir-voxilaprevir Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Fosphenytoin with Nicardipine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Fosphenytoin 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. Phenytoin, the active form of fosphenytoin, induces CYP3A4 and can markedly lower nicardipine concentrations. This may lead to inadequate blood pressure control. Nicardipine may also affect phenytoin levels in some patients.
How serious is the interaction between Fosphenytoin 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 and titrate nicardipine upward as needed; consider checking phenytoin levels when nicardipine is changed.
What other medicines interact with Nicardipine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Nicardipine with, for example, Amifostine, Amlodipine-olmesartan-hydrochlorothiazide, Betrixaban. The full list is on the Nicardipine page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
