Drug interactions
Nicardipine + Nifedipine
Severity: Moderate
Nicardipine and Nifedipine: 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 are dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, so combining them duplicates therapy and increases the risk of hypotension, reflex tachycardia, flushing and edema. Nicardipine also inhibits CYP3A4 and may increase nifedipine exposure.
What this interaction means in plain words
Nicardipine and Nifedipine 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.
Nicardipine belongs to Cardiovascular; Nifedipine belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Additive calcium channel blockade, with nicardipine inhibiting CYP3A4 metabolism of nifedipine.
What to do
Avoid using two dihydropyridines together; use one agent or add a different antihypertensive class. If both are used, monitor blood pressure and heart rate.
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 Nifedipine
Other interactions of Nicardipine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Nicardipine with Nifedipine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Nicardipine and Nifedipine 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 are dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, so combining them duplicates therapy and increases the risk of hypotension, reflex tachycardia, flushing and edema. Nicardipine also inhibits CYP3A4 and may increase nifedipine exposure.
How serious is the interaction between Nicardipine and Nifedipine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid using two dihydropyridines together; use one agent or add a different antihypertensive class. If both are used, monitor blood pressure and heart rate.
What other medicines interact with Nifedipine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Nifedipine with, for example, Amifostine, Amlodipine-benazepril, Apalutamide. The full list is on the Nifedipine page.
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