Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CALAN versus CARDENE IN 5 0 DEXTROSE IN PLASTIC CONTAINER.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CALAN versus CARDENE IN 5 0 DEXTROSE IN PLASTIC CONTAINER.
CALAN vs CARDENE IN 5.0% DEXTROSE IN PLASTIC CONTAINER
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Verapamil inhibits calcium ion influx through voltage-gated L-type calcium channels in cardiac and vascular smooth muscle, leading to decreased myocardial contractility, slowed AV conduction, and vasodilation.
Nicardipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker that inhibits the transmembrane influx of calcium ions into vascular smooth muscle and cardiac muscle. It causes vasodilation and decreases systemic vascular resistance.
Initial: 80-120 mg orally 3 times daily; maintenance: 240-480 mg/day in 3-4 divided doses. IV: 5-10 mg over 2 minutes, may repeat after 15-30 minutes.
Intravenous infusion: initial dose 5 mg/hour, titrate by 2.5-5 mg/hour every 15-30 minutes as needed; maximum 15 mg/hour. Oral: 20 mg three times daily initially, then 30-40 mg three times daily.
None Documented
None Documented
Terminal elimination half-life is 3-7 hours for immediate-release; can be prolonged to 12-16 hours with sustained-release due to slow absorption; increased in hepatic impairment.
2 to 4 hours in healthy subjects; increased in hepatic impairment (up to 7 hours) and in elderly. No significant change in renal impairment.
Approximately 70% renal (3-4% unchanged, remainder as metabolites) and 25% biliary/fecal.
Primarily hepatic metabolism to inactive metabolites; <1% excreted unchanged in urine. Biliary/fecal excretion of metabolites accounts for approximately 60-70% of total elimination, with renal excretion of metabolites approximately 30-40%.
Category C
Category C
Calcium Channel Blocker
Calcium Channel Blocker