Cardene SR

What is it?

A Class II calcium antagonist produced in the form of sustained-release capsules: white capsules marked SYNTEX 30 contain 30mg nicardipine hydrochloride; blue capsules marked SYNTEX45 contain 45mg. Also, CARDENE CAPSULES, available in two strengths, white/blue containing 20mg of nicardipine hydrochloride and pale blue/blue containing 30mg. Each capsule is marked with strength, name and CO.

Medical Uses

Mild to moderate hypertension.

Dosage

Adults; tablets, 30mg twice each day at first increasing to 45mg twice daily if required. Maximum dose is 60mg twice daily. (All doses at 12 hour intervals. ) Capsules, 20mg every 8 hours at first increasing, if necessary, allowing 3 day intervals to maintenance dose of 30mg, 8 hourly. Maximum is 120mg each day. Special cure: congestive heart failure, liver or kidney disease, weak heart, aftermath of stroke.

Avoid Use

Children, pregnant women, breast-feeding mothers, aortic stenosis (a heart valve disease), within one month of heart attack.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Cimetidine, digoxin, cyclosporin, rifampicin, grapefruit juice.

Known Side Effects

Headache, dizziness, nausea, palpitations, flushing and feeling of warmth, water retention in lower limbs; chest pain within half an hour of taking dose or on increasing dose, drug should be withdrawn.

Manufacturer

Yamanouchi.