Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CARDENE versus DILT CD.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CARDENE versus DILT CD.
CARDENE vs DILT-CD
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Cardene (nicardipine) is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker that inhibits the transmembrane influx of calcium ions into vascular smooth muscle and cardiac muscle. It dilates peripheral arterioles, reducing systemic vascular resistance and blood pressure, and also has coronary vasodilatory effects.
Diltiazem inhibits calcium ion influx during depolarization of cardiac and vascular smooth muscle cells, thereby reducing intracellular calcium levels. It decreases sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodal conduction and dilates coronary and peripheral arteries.
20-40 mg orally three times daily.
180-360 mg PO once daily (extended-release); 300-540 mg PO once daily for hypertension; 120-480 mg PO once daily for angina; IV: 0.25 mg/kg bolus over 2 min, then 5-15 mg/hr continuous infusion.
None Documented
None Documented
1.5-2 hours (terminal); prolonged in hepatic impairment (up to 6-8 hours)
Terminal elimination half-life 7-10 hours; clinically relevant in hepatic impairment (prolonged to 14-20 hours) and in elderly
Renal: 60% as metabolites, 10% unchanged; Fecal: 35%
Renal 2-4% unchanged; extensive hepatic metabolism; 60-70% fecal, 30-40% renal as metabolites
Category C
Category C
Calcium Channel Blocker
Calcium Channel Blocker