Drug interactions
Nicardipine + Nitroglycerin
Severity: Moderate
Nicardipine and Nitroglycerin: 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
Nitroglycerin and nicardipine both cause vasodilation, so concurrent use can produce additive hypotension, reflex tachycardia and orthostatic symptoms. This is especially relevant with intravenous use in acute settings.
What this interaction means in plain words
Nicardipine and Nitroglycerin 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; Nitroglycerin belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Additive vasodilation through nitric oxide-mediated venous dilation and dihydropyridine arterial dilation.
What to do
Titrate doses against blood pressure with close monitoring, using continuous monitoring when both are given intravenously; reduce one agent if hypotension 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 Nitroglycerin
- Avanafil + Nitroglycerin Contraindicated
- Nitroglycerin + Riociguat Contraindicated
- Nitroglycerin + Sildenafil Contraindicated
- Nitroglycerin + Tadalafil Contraindicated
- Nitroglycerin + Vardenafil Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine intranasal + Nitroglycerin Major
Other interactions of Nicardipine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Nicardipine with Nitroglycerin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Nicardipine and Nitroglycerin 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. Nitroglycerin and nicardipine both cause vasodilation, so concurrent use can produce additive hypotension, reflex tachycardia and orthostatic symptoms. This is especially relevant with intravenous use in acute settings.
How serious is the interaction between Nicardipine and Nitroglycerin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Titrate doses against blood pressure with close monitoring, using continuous monitoring when both are given intravenously; reduce one agent if hypotension occurs.
What other medicines interact with Nitroglycerin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Nitroglycerin with, for example, Avanafil, Riociguat, Sildenafil. The full list is on the Nitroglycerin page.
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