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Cardene (nicardipine hydrochloride) is a calcium ion influx inhibitor (slow channel blocker or calcium channel blocker). Cardene I.V. (nicardipine hydrochloride) Premixed Injection for intravenous administration contains 20 mg of nicardipine hydrochloride per 200 mL (0.1 mg/mL) in either dextrose or sodium chloride. Nicardipine hydrochloride is a dihydropyridine derivative with IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) chemical name (±)-2-(benzyl-methyl amino) ethyl methyl 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(m-nitrophenyl)-3,5-pyridinedicarboxylate monohydrochloride and has the following structure:

Nicardipine hydrochloride is a greenish-yellow, odorless, crystalline powder that melts at about 169°C. It is freely soluble in chloroform, methanol, and glacial acetic acid, sparingly soluble in anhydrous ethanol, slightly soluble in n-butanol, water, 0.01 M potassium dihydrogen phosphate, acetone, and dioxane, very slightly soluble in ethyl acetate, and practically insoluble in benzene, ether, and hexane. It has a molecular weight of 515.99.

Cardene I.V. (nicardipine hydrochloride) Premixed Injection is available as a ready-to-use sterile, non-pyrogenic, clear, colorless to yellow, iso-osmotic solution for intravenous administration in a 200 mL GALAXY container with 20 mg (0.1 mg/mL) nicardipine hydrochloride in either dextrose or sodium chloride.

Cardene I.V. Premixed Injection in 4.8% Dextrose

20 mg in 200 mL (0.1 mg/mL)

Each mL contains 0.1 mg nicardipine hydrochloride, 48 mg dextrose hydrous, USP, 0.0192 mg citric acid, anhydrous, USP, and 1.92 mg sorbitol, NF. Hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide may have been added to adjust pH to 3.7 to 4.7.

Cardene I.V. (nicardipine hydrochloride) Premixed Injection in 0.86% Sodium Chloride

20 mg in 200 mL (0.1 mg/mL)

Each mL contains 0.1 mg nicardipine hydrochloride, 8.6 mg sodium chloride, USP, 0.0192 mg citric acid, anhydrous, USP, and 1.92 mg sorbitol, NF. Hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide may have been added to adjust pH to 3.7 to 4.7.

The GALAXY container is fabricated from multilayered plastic (PL 2501). Solutions are in contact with the polyethylene layer of the container and can leach out certain chemical components of the plastic in very small amounts within the expiration period. The suitability and safety of the plastic have been confirmed in tests in animals according to the USP biological tests for plastic containers, as well as by tissue culture toxicity studies.

Last reviewed on RxList: 4/4/2011
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.