nicardipine

Adult Dosing .

Dosage forms:  CAP: 20 mg, 30 mg; INJ: various

HTN

[PO route]

Dose: 20-40 mg PO tid; Start: 20 mg PO tid, may incr. dose q3 days; Max: 120 mg/day; Info: if switching from IV, overlap w/ PO x1h

[IV route, initial tx]

Dose: individualize dose IV; Start: 5 mg/h IV, may incr. by 2.5 mg/h q5-15min; Max: 15 mg/h; Info: 50% effect in 45min, steady state in 50h; D/C if hypotension, tachycardia; may restart at 3-5 mg/h IV

[IV route, PO substitution]

Dose: 0.5-2.2 mg/h IV; Info: 0.5 mg/h IV if replacing 60 mg/day PO; 1.2 mg/h IV if replacing 90 mg/day PO; 2.2 mg/h IV if replacing 120 mg/day PO; overlap w/ PO x1h when switching back

angina, chronic stable

[20-40 mg PO tid]

Start: 20 mg PO tid, may incr. dose q3 days; Max: 120 mg/day

renal dosing

[PO route]

renal impairment: start 20 mg tid; Info: titrate slowly

HD: consider starting 20 mg tid; no supplement after dialysis; PD: consider starting 20 mg tid; no supplement; Info: titrate slowly

[IV route]

renal impairment: not defined, caution advised; Info: titrate slowly

HD/PD: not defined, caution advised; Info: titrate slowly

hepatic dosing

[see below]

hepatic impairment: consider decr. usual dose; Info: titrate slowly

Peds Dosing .

Dosage forms:  INJ: various

HTN, acute severe (off-label)

[0.5-4 mcg/kg/min IV]

Start: 0.5-1 mcg/kg/min IV, may incr. dose q15-30min; Max: 4 mcg/kg/min; Alt: 30 mcg/kg/dose IV x1 prn up to 2 mg/dose; Info: for pts w/ life-threatening sx

renal dosing

[not defined]

renal impairment: consider adult renal dosing for guidance

HD/PD: consider adult renal dosing for guidance

hepatic dosing

[not defined]

hepatic impairment: consider adult hepatic dosing for guidance