Drug interactions
Nicardipine + Ritonavir
Severity: Moderate
Nicardipine and Ritonavir: 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
Ritonavir strongly inhibits CYP3A4 and can substantially increase nicardipine exposure, causing hypotension, flushing, edema, and tachycardia. Nicardipine may also modestly affect ritonavir through P-glycoprotein, which is of limited significance.
What this interaction means in plain words
Nicardipine and Ritonavir 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; Ritonavir belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
Ritonavir inhibits CYP3A4 metabolism of nicardipine; nicardipine may weakly inhibit P-glycoprotein efflux of ritonavir.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure and heart rate, and start nicardipine at a low dose with careful titration. Reduce the 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 Nicardipine
Other interactions of Ritonavir
- Alfuzosin + Ritonavir Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Ritonavir Contraindicated
- Avanafil + Ritonavir Contraindicated
- Colchicine + Ritonavir Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Ritonavir Contraindicated
- Eletriptan + Ritonavir Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Nicardipine with Ritonavir?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Nicardipine and Ritonavir 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. Ritonavir strongly inhibits CYP3A4 and can substantially increase nicardipine exposure, causing hypotension, flushing, edema, and tachycardia. Nicardipine may also modestly affect ritonavir through P-glycoprotein, which is of limited significance.
How serious is the interaction between Nicardipine and Ritonavir?
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 start nicardipine at a low dose with careful titration. Reduce the dose if hypotension or edema develops.
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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