Drug interactions
Ketoconazole + Nicardipine
Severity: Moderate
Ketoconazole 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
Ketoconazole can substantially increase nicardipine concentrations, leading to excessive vasodilation with hypotension, flushing, headache, edema and reflex tachycardia.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ketoconazole 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.
Ketoconazole belongs to Anti Fungals; Nicardipine belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Ketoconazole inhibits CYP3A4-mediated first-pass and systemic metabolism of nicardipine.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure and heart rate, and reduce the nicardipine dose if hypotension or edema develops.
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?
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Other interactions of Ketoconazole
- Alfuzosin + Ketoconazole Contraindicated
- Alprazolam + Ketoconazole Contraindicated
- Avanafil + Ketoconazole Contraindicated
- Conivaptan + Ketoconazole Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine intranasal + Ketoconazole Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Ketoconazole Contraindicated
Other interactions of Nicardipine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ketoconazole with Nicardipine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ketoconazole 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. Ketoconazole can substantially increase nicardipine concentrations, leading to excessive vasodilation with hypotension, flushing, headache, edema and reflex tachycardia.
How serious is the interaction between Ketoconazole 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 heart rate, and reduce the nicardipine dose if hypotension or edema develops.
What other medicines interact with Ketoconazole?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ketoconazole with, for example, Alfuzosin, Alprazolam, Avanafil. The full list is on the Ketoconazole page.
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