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How does it work?

Nicardipine Hydrochloride belongs to a group of medicines called calcium channel blockers, which act on the heart and blood vessels. Nicardipine slows the movement of calcium through cells, which has two results. Firstly, it decreases the rate at which the heart beats. As a result, the heart uses less energy and the pain of angina is prevented or relieved. Secondly, it has a widening effect on blood vessels and therefore reduces blood pressure.

What is it used for?

- Angina pectoris
- High blood pressure

Warning!

- Unless your doctor or pharmacist tells you otherwise, you should avoid drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medicine, as it may affect the level of this medicine in your blood.

Use with caution in

- Elderly people
- Heart failure
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease

Not to be used in

- Angina not well controlled by medical treatment
- Failure of the heart to maintain adequate circulation of blood (cardiogenic shock)
- Narrowing of the main artery coming from the heart (aortic stenosis)
- People who have had a heart attack in the last month

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

- This medicine should not be used in pregnancy. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
- Significant amounts of this medicine may pass into breast milk. It should not be used by breastfeeding mothers. Discuss this with your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

- Headache
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Increased blood flow to the skin on the face (facial flushing)
- Nausea
- Awareness of your heart beat (heart palpitations)
- Ankle swelling

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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