Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CARDENE versus TIAZAC.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CARDENE versus TIAZAC.
CARDENE vs TIAZAC
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, a benzothiazepine calcium channel blocker, inhibits calcium ion influx across cardiac and vascular smooth muscle cell membranes, resulting in coronary vasodilation, peripheral vasodilation, decreased myocardial contractility, and decreased AV nodal conduction velocity.
20-40 mg orally three times daily.
Oral: 120-360 mg once daily; maximum 540 mg daily.
None Documented
None Documented
1.5-2 hours (terminal); prolonged in hepatic impairment (up to 6-8 hours)
Terminal elimination half-life is 5-7 hours for immediate-release; for TIAZAC (extended-release), effective half-life is approximately 6-9 hours due to prolonged absorption
Renal: 60% as metabolites, 10% unchanged; Fecal: 35%
Renal (2-4% unchanged, 60% as inactive metabolites); Fecal (30%); Biliary (minor)
Category C
Category C
Calcium Channel Blocker
Calcium Channel Blocker