Drug interactions
Lithium + Nicardipine
Severity: Moderate
Lithium 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
Case reports with calcium channel blockers, mainly verapamil and diltiazem, describe neurotoxicity with lithium even at therapeutic serum concentrations. Evidence for nicardipine is sparse, but the signs include tremor, ataxia, confusion and nausea.
What this interaction means in plain words
Lithium 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.
Lithium belongs to Central Nervous System; Nicardipine belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Mechanism is not established; possible additive neurotoxic effects at the CNS level.
What to do
Monitor for neurological symptoms and check lithium levels when starting or changing nicardipine. Reduce lithium dose or stop nicardipine if neurotoxicity appears.
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 Nicardipine
Other interactions of Lithium
- Lithium + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Lithium + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Lithium Major
- Acemetacin + Lithium Major
- Amisulpride + Lithium Major
- Amlodipine-benazepril + Lithium Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Lithium with Nicardipine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Lithium 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. Case reports with calcium channel blockers, mainly verapamil and diltiazem, describe neurotoxicity with lithium even at therapeutic serum concentrations. Evidence for nicardipine is sparse, but the signs include tremor, ataxia, confusion and nausea.
How serious is the interaction between Lithium 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 for neurological symptoms and check lithium levels when starting or changing nicardipine. Reduce lithium dose or stop nicardipine if neurotoxicity appears.
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.
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