Nicardipine 20 mg

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Nicardipine Hydrochloride Injection is a calcium channel blocker indicated for the short-term treatment of hypertension in adults when oral therapy is not feasible. (1.1) 1.1 Hypertension Nicardipine Hydrochloride Injection is indicated in adults for the short-term treatment of hypertension when oral therapy is not feasible or not desirable. For prolonged control of blood pressure, transfer patients to oral medication as soon as their clinical condition permits [see Dosage and Administration (2.1)].

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION For Intravenous Use. ( 2.1 ) Dilution is required. ( 2.3 ) When substituting for oral nicardipine therapy, use the intravenous infusion rate from the table below ( 2.1 ): Oral Nicardipine Dose Equivalent Intravenous Infusion Rate (0.1 mg per mL) 20 mg q8h 0.5 mg/hr = 5 mL/hr 30 mg q8h 1.2 mg/hr = 12 mL/hr 40 mg q8h 2.2 mg/hr = 22 mL/hr In a patient not receiving oral nicardipine, initiate therapy at 5 mg/hr. Increase the infusion rate by 2.5 mg/hr every 5 minutes (for rapid titration) to 15 minutes (for gradual titration) up to a maximum of 15 mg/hr until desired blood pressure reduction is achieved. ( 2.1 ) Conversion Table (mg/hr) Equivalent Intravenous Infusion Rate (0.1 mg per mL) 5 mg/hr 50 mL/hr 2.5 mg/hr 25 mL/hr 15 mg/hr 150 mL/hr If unacceptable hypotension or tachycardia occurs, discontinue the infusion. When blood pressure and heart rate stabilize, restart the infusion at low doses such as 3-5 mg/hr. ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosing Nicardipine hydrochloride injection is intended for intravenous use. Vial must be diluted to 0.1 mg per mL before use [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ] . Titrate dose to achieve the desired blood pressure reduction. Individualize dosage depending on the blood pressure to be obtained and the response of the patient. Dosage as a Substitute for Oral Nicardipine Therapy The intravenous infusion rate required to produce an average plasma concentration equivalent to a given oral dose at steady state is shown in the following table : Oral Nicardipine Dose Equivalent lntravenous Infusion Rate (0.1 mg per mL) 20 mg q8h 0.5 mg/hr = 5 mL/hr 30 mg q8h 1.2 mg/hr = 12 mL/hr 40 mg q8h 2.2 mg/hr = 22 mL/hr Dosage for Initiation of Therapy in a Patient Not Receiving Oral Nicardipine Nicardipine Hydrochloride Injection 25 mg in 10 mL (2.5 mg per mL) Initiate therapy at 50 mL/hr (5 mg/hr). If desired blood pressure reduction is not achieved at this dose, the infusion rate may be increased by 25 mL/hr (2.5 mg/hr) every 5 minutes (for rapid titration) to 15 minutes (for gradual titration) up to a maximum of 150 mL/hr (15 mg/hr), until desired blood pressure reduction is achieved. Following achievement of the blood pressure goal utilizing rapid titration, decrease the infusion rate to 30 mL/hr (3 mg/hr). Drug Discontinuation and Transition to an Oral Antihypertensive Agent Discontinuation of infusion is followed by a 50% offset of action in about 30 minutes. If treatment includes transfer to an oral antihypertensive agent other than oral nicardipine, initiate therapy upon discontinuation of nicardipine hydrochloride injection. If oral nicardipine is to be used, administer the first dose 1 hour prior to discontinuation of the infusion. Special Populations Titrate nicardipine hydrochloride injection slowly in patients with heart failure or impaired hepatic or renal function [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2, 5.3 and 5.4 )] . 2.2 Monitoring The time course of blood pressure decrease is dependent on the initial rate of infusion and the frequency of dosage adjustment. With constant infusion, blood pressure begins to fall within minutes. It reaches about 50% of its ultimate decrease in about 45 minutes. Monitor blood pressure and heart rate continually during infusion and avoid too rapid or excessive blood pressure drop during treatment. If there is concern of impending hypotension or tachycardia, the infusion should be discontinued. Then, when blood pressure has stabilized, infusion of nicardipine hydrochloride injection may be restarted at low doses such as 30-50 mL/hr (3 - 5 mg/hr) and adjusted to maintain desired blood pressure. 2.3 Instructions for Administration Administer nicardipine hydrochloride injection by a central line or through a large peripheral vein. Change the infusion site every 12 hours if administered via peripheral vein [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] . Nicardipine hydrochloride injection is available as a single-dose solution for intravenous administration. Vials must be diluted before infusion. Inspect nicardipine hydrochloride injection visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. Nicardipine hydrochloride injection is normally yellow in color. Do not combine nicardipine hydrochloride injection with any product in the same intravenous line or premixed container. Protect from light until ready to use. Preparation for administration Dilution Nicardipine hydrochloride injection is administered by slow continuous infusion at a CONCENTRATION OF 0.1 MG PER ML. Each vial (25 mg) should be diluted with 240 mL of compatible intravenous fluid (see below), resulting in 250 mL of solution at a concentration of 0.1 mg per mL. Nicardipine hydrochloride injection has been found to be compatible and stable in glass or polyvinyl chloride containers for 24 hours at controlled room temperature with: Dextrose (5%) Injection, USP Dextrose (5%) and Sodium Chloride (0.45%) Injection, USP Dextrose (5%) and Sodium Chloride (0.9%) Injection, USP Dextrose (5%) with 40 mEq Potassium, USP Sodium Chloride (0.45%) Injection, USP Sodium Chloride (0.9%) Injection, USP Nicardipine hydrochloride injection is NOT compatible with Sodium Bicarbonate (5%) Injection, USP or Lactated Ringer’s Injection, USP. The diluted solution is stable for 24 hours at room temperature.

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Closely monitor response in patients with angina, heart failure, impaired hepatic function, or renal impairment. ( 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4 ) To reduce the possibility of venous thrombosis, phlebitis, and vascular impairment, do not use small veins, such as those on the dorsum of the hand or wrist. Exercise extreme care to avoid intra-arterial administration or extravasation. ( 5.5 ) To minimize the risk of peripheral venous irritation, change the site of infusion of nicardipine hydrochloride injection every 12 hours. ( 5.5 ) 5.1 Exacerbation of Angina Increases in frequency, duration, or severity of angina have been seen in chronic therapy with oral nicardipine. Induction or exacerbation of angina has been seen in less than 1% of coronary artery disease patients treated with nicardipine hydrochloride injection. The mechanism of this effect has not been established. 5.2 Exacerbation of Heart Failure Titrate slowly when using nicardipine hydrochloride injection, particularly in combination with a beta-blocker, in patients with heart failure or significant left ventricular dysfunction because of possible negative inotropic effects. 5.3 Increased Effect with Impaired Hepatic Function Since nicardipine is metabolized in the liver, consider lower dosages and closely monitor responses in patients with impaired liver function or reduced hepatic blood flow. 5.4 Prolonged Effect with Impaired Renal Function When nicardipine hydrochloride injection was given to mild to moderate hypertensive patients with moderate renal impairment, a significantly lower systemic clearance and higher area under the curve (AUC) was observed. These results are consistent with those seen after oral administration of nicardipine. Titrate gradually in patients with renal impairment. 5.5 Local Irritation To reduce the possibility of venous thrombosis, phlebitis, local irritation, swelling, extravasation, and the occurrence of vascular impairment, administer drug through large peripheral veins or central veins rather than arteries or small peripheral veins, such as those on the dorsum of the hand or wrist. To minimize the risk of peripheral venous irritation, change the site of the drug infusion every 12 hours.

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS Most common adverse reactions: are headache (15%), hypotension (6%), tachycardia (4%) and nausea/vomiting (5%). ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Meitheal Pharmaceuticals Inc. at 1-888-808-5529, or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The adverse reaction information from clinical trials does, however, provide a basis for identifying the adverse events that appear to be related to drug use and for approximating rates. Two hundred forty-four patients participated in two multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of nicardipine hydrochloride injection. Adverse experiences were generally not serious and most were expected consequences of vasodilation. Adverse experiences occasionally required dosage adjustment. Therapy was discontinued in approximately 12% of patients, mainly due to hypotension, headache, and tachycardia. The table below shows percentage of patients with adverse events where the rate is >3% more common on nicardipine hydrochloride injection than placebo. Adverse Event Nicardipine Hydrochloride Injection (N=144) Placebo (N=100) Body as a Whole Headache, n (%) 21 (15) 2 (2) Cardiovascular Hypotension, n (%) 8 (6) 1 (1) Tachycardia, n (%) 5 (4) 0 Digestive Nausea/vomiting, n (%) 7 (5) 1 (1) Other adverse events have been reported in clinical trials or in the literature in association with the use of intravenously administered nicardipine: Body as a Whole : fever, neck pain Cardiovascular : angina pectoris, atrioventricular block, ST segment depression, inverted T wave, deep-vein thrombophlebitis Digestive : dyspepsia Hemic and Lymphatic : thrombocytopenia Metabolic and Nutritional : hypophosphatemia, peripheral edema Nervous : confusion, hypertonia Respiratory : respiratory disorder Special Senses : conjunctivitis, ear disorder, tinnitus Urogenital : urinary frequency Sinus node dysfunction and myocardial infarction, which may be due to disease progression, have been seen in patients on chronic therapy with orally administered nicardipine. 6.2 Postmarketing Experience Because adverse reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to estimate reliably their frequency or to establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. The following adverse reaction has been identified during post-approval use of nicardipine hydrochloride injection: decreased oxygen saturation (possible pulmonary shunting).