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In this Article

• What is clevidipine (Cleviprex)?
• What are the possible side effects of clevidipine (Cleviprex)?
• What is the most important information I should know about clevidipine (Cleviprex)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before I receive clevidipine (Cleviprex)?
• How is clevidipine given (Cleviprex)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Cleviprex)?
• What happens if I overdose (Cleviprex)?
• What should I avoid while receiving clevidipine (Cleviprex)?
• What other drugs will affect clevidipine (Cleviprex)?
• Where can I get more information?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before I receive clevidipine (Cleviprex)?

You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to clevidipine, eggs, or soy products. If possible, before you receive clevidipine, tell your doctor if you have:

• high cholesterol or triglyceride levels in your blood;
• pancreatitis with high cholesterol or triglycerides;
• a kidney disorder called lipoid nephrosis; or
• severe narrowing of the aortic valve in your heart (aortic stenosis).

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely receive this medication. If possible before you receive clevidipine, tell your doctor if you have:

• food allergies;
• pancreatitis;
• pheochromocytoma (an adrenal gland tumor);
• heart disease; or
• a history of high cholesterol.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether clevidipine is harmful to an unborn baby. Before you receive this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

It is not known whether clevidipine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Before you receive this medication, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

In an emergency situation, it may not be possible before you are treated with clevidipine to tell your caregivers if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. However, make sure any doctor caring for your pregnancy or your baby knows that you have received this medication.

How is clevidipine given (Cleviprex)?

Clevidipine is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You will continue to receive clevidipine until you are able to take blood pressure medication orally (by mouth).

Your blood pressure and heart rate will be watched closely while you are receiving clevidipine. Your blood pressure may also need to be checked often for several hours after you stop receiving this medication.

While you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using your prescribed medications even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms, so you may not know when your blood pressure is high.

You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life. Call your doctor at once if you have any signs of dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure).

Clevidipine may be only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes a special diet. It is very important to follow the diet plan created for you by your doctor or nutrition counselor. You should become very familiar with the list of foods you must avoid to help control your condition.

Store clevidipine at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.