FOCUS ON NICARDIPINE HCL - IV FORMULATION APPROVED FOR THE TREATMENT OF HYPERTENSION

IV nicardipine is the first dihydropyridine derivative calcium channel blocker which has received FDA approval for the treatment of hyperten sion when oral therapy is not feasible. Comparative clinical trials sh owed that IV nicardipine is superior to nitroglycerin and is as effica cious as sodium nitroprusside in controlling mild to severe acute hype rtension in the peri- or post-operative surgical period. With its quic k onset of action, reliable dose-response relationship, relative short half-life, good safety profile, and minimum effect on the SA and AV n odes, IV nicardipine represents an attractive agent for the treatment of hypertension.