Drug interactions
Nicardipine + Saquinavir
Severity: Moderate
Nicardipine and Saquinavir: 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
Saquinavir inhibits CYP3A4 and can raise nicardipine levels, leading to hypotension, flushing, and edema. Nicardipine may also slightly increase saquinavir exposure through P-glycoprotein inhibition.
What this interaction means in plain words
Nicardipine and Saquinavir 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.
Why it happens
Saquinavir inhibits CYP3A4 metabolism of nicardipine, and nicardipine may inhibit P-glycoprotein-mediated efflux of saquinavir.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure and heart rate, and reduce the nicardipine dose if hypotension develops. Monitor ECG when saquinavir is boosted with ritonavir.
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Nicardipine with Saquinavir?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Nicardipine and Saquinavir 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. Saquinavir inhibits CYP3A4 and can raise nicardipine levels, leading to hypotension, flushing, and edema. Nicardipine may also slightly increase saquinavir exposure through P-glycoprotein inhibition.
How serious is the interaction between Nicardipine and Saquinavir?
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 reduce the nicardipine dose if hypotension develops. Monitor ECG when saquinavir is boosted with ritonavir.
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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