Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CARDENE IN 5 0 DEXTROSE IN PLASTIC CONTAINER versus DILACOR XR.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CARDENE IN 5 0 DEXTROSE IN PLASTIC CONTAINER versus DILACOR XR.
CARDENE IN 5.0% DEXTROSE IN PLASTIC CONTAINER vs DILACOR XR
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
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.
Diltiazem inhibits calcium ion influx across cardiac and vascular smooth muscle cells, resulting in dilation of coronary and systemic arteries, decreased myocardial contractility, and reduced sinoatrial and atrioventricular conduction velocity.
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.
180 to 240 mg orally once daily, administered on an empty stomach; maximum dose 480 mg once daily.
None Documented
None Documented
2 to 4 hours in healthy subjects; increased in hepatic impairment (up to 7 hours) and in elderly. No significant change in renal impairment.
Terminal half-life: 6-12 hours (prolonged in elderly, hepatic impairment, or with CYP3A4 inhibitors)
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%.
Renal (70% as metabolites, 3-4% as unchanged drug); biliary/fecal (25-30%)
Category C
Category C
Calcium Channel Blocker
Calcium Channel Blocker