Nicardipine
Nicardipine (Cardene) is a medication used to treat high blood pressure and angina. It belongs to the dihydropyridine class of calcium channel blockers. It is also used for Raynauds phenomenon. It is available in by mouth and intravenous formulations. It has been used in percutaneous coronary intervention. Nicardipine has been used as an alternative to sodium nitroprusside, especially because sodium nitroprusside is light sensitive and a fresh solution must be prepared. 
Its mechanism of action and clinical effects closely resemble those of nifedipine and the other dihydropyridines (amlodipine, felodipine), except that nicardipine is more selective for cerebral and coronary blood vessels. Nicardipine also has a longer half-life than nifedipine. Nicardipine was approved by the FDA in December 1988. The patent for both Cardene and Cardene SR expired in October 1995.It was patented in 1973 and approved for medical use in 1981.

See also
Calcium channel blocker toxicity


== References ==