Drug interactions
Lofexidine + Nicardipine
Severity: Moderate
Lofexidine 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
Both drugs lower blood pressure, and lofexidine also slows heart rate. Combined use can cause additive hypotension, bradycardia and syncope.
What this interaction means in plain words
Lofexidine 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.
Lofexidine belongs to Central Nervous System; Nicardipine belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic effects: central alpha-2 agonism by lofexidine plus peripheral vasodilation by nicardipine.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure and pulse, particularly during initiation and dose changes, and advise patients about orthostatic symptoms. Reduce or hold doses if symptomatic hypotension or bradycardia occurs.
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 Lofexidine
- Adagrasib + Lofexidine Major
- Alfuzosin + Lofexidine Major
- Amiodarone + Lofexidine Major
- Amisulpride + Lofexidine Major
- Anagrelide + Lofexidine Major
- Apomorphine + Lofexidine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Lofexidine with Nicardipine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Lofexidine 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. Both drugs lower blood pressure, and lofexidine also slows heart rate. Combined use can cause additive hypotension, bradycardia and syncope.
How serious is the interaction between Lofexidine 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 pulse, particularly during initiation and dose changes, and advise patients about orthostatic symptoms. Reduce or hold doses if symptomatic hypotension or bradycardia occurs.
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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