CARDENE SR

Drug Name: CARDENE SR

CARDENE SR DESCRIPTION:
NICARDIPINE SUSTAINED ACTION CAPSULE - ORAL (nye-KAR-deh-peen)

COMMON CARDENE SR BRAND NAME(S):
Cardene SR

CARDENE SR SIDE EFFECTS:
CARDENE SR may cause dizziness and lightheadedness especially during the first few days. Avoid activities requiring alertness. When you sit or lie down for a while, get up slowly to allow your body to adjust and minimize dizziness. You may also experience fatigue or weakness, nausea, heartburn, muscle cramps, headache or flushing. If any of these effects persist or worsen, inform your doctor. Notify your doctor if you develop: breathing difficulties, swelling of the hands or feet, irregular heartbeat. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

HOW TO USE CARDENE SR:
CARDENE SR: The capsule(s) work best when taken with a meal. Swallow whole. Do not open, crush or chew them. Do not stop taking CARDENE SR suddenly without your doctor's permission. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.

CARDENE SR USES:
CARDENE SR is a calcium channel blocker. Calcium is involved in blood vessel contraction. By blocking calcium, nicardipine relaxes and widens the blood vessels. It is used to treat high blood pressure.

OTHER USES OF CARDENE SR:
CARDENE SR may also be used for chest pain (angina).

CARDENE SR PRECAUTIONS:
Before taking CARDENE SR, tell your doctor if you have: heart disease, liver or kidney disease, any allergies. Limit intake of alcohol while taking CARDENE SR. CARDENE SR should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known if CARDENE SR is excreted into breast milk. Other calcium channel blockers are known to be excreted and breast-feeding is not recommended while taking those drugs. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

CARDENE SR DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription drugs you may use, especially of: beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol), cimetidine, cyclosporine, digoxin. Avoid any drugs that increase your heart-rate (the decongestants phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine are examples). These drugs are commonly found in over-the-counter cough-and-cold products. Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

CARDENE SR OVERDOSE:
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include slowed heart rate, flushing, drowsiness, confusion, dizziness, weakness, and slurred speech.

MISSED CARDENE SR DOSE:
If you miss a dose, take as soon as remembered; do not take if it is almost time for the next dose, instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.

CARDENE SR STORAGE:
Store at room temperature away from sunlight and moisture. Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information on enrollment call Medic Alert(TM) at 1-800-854-1166. In Canada call 1-800-668-1507.