This is an Ai tool that we created to help people to get top down information on the drugs their doctors prescribed to them. Everything from time on the market, trial results, recall notices, side effects, ingredients….everything!
In addition, we designed it to look at the drug and its intended purpose, and locate herbs that address those same goals. So for example, a drug made with mostly manmade chemicals is designed to lower blood pressure. What this tool will do is to look for herbs that do the same thing.
Please note, this tool is not meant to be used to diagnose your health, or to replace your doctor. Instead, the main purpose is to provide you with the information so that you can make the best choices for you.
Click on image below to get started.
NOTE: You must have a FREE ChatGPT account to access.
So let’s run an example. Here we are asking the following question:
“Nicardipine” is a calcium channel blocker (a drug that is prescribed to people who suffer with high blood pressure. Below are the initial results.
Nicardipine: Overview & Pharmacological Information
Nicardipine is a calcium channel blocker (CCB) that belongs to the dihydropyridine class. It is primarily used for hypertension and angina and is often preferred in acute care settings for hypertensive emergencies due to its fast-acting intravenous formulation.
1. Mechanism of Action
Nicardipine works by inhibiting L-type calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle, leading to:
✔ Vasodilation → Reduces systemic vascular resistance (SVR)
✔ Decreased Blood Pressure → Due to reduced arterial tone
✔ Increased Oxygen Delivery to the Heart → Beneficial in angina
Unlike non-dihydropyridine CCBs (e.g., verapamil, diltiazem), nicardipine has minimal direct cardiac depressant effects and mainly acts on blood vessels.
2. Indications (Uses)
🩸 Hypertension (oral & IV formulations)
⚡ Hypertensive emergency (IV infusion preferred)
❤️ Chronic stable angina
🏥 Perioperative hypertension control (e.g., post-surgical BP management)
💔 Subarachnoid hemorrhage (off-label) for cerebral vasospasm prevention
3. Dosage & Administration
🔹 Oral (for chronic hypertension & angina)
- Starting dose: 20 mg twice daily
- Maintenance dose: 20–40 mg twice daily
🔹 IV (for hypertensive emergency or perioperative hypertension)
- Initial infusion: 5 mg/hour
- Titrate: Increase by 2.5 mg/hour every 5–15 minutes
- Maximum dose: 15 mg/hour
⏳ Onset: 5–15 minutes (IV)
⏱ Duration: ~4 hours after stopping IV infusion
4. Side Effects
⚠ Common Side Effects
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Flushing
- Hypotension
- Tachycardia (reflex response)
- Peripheral edema
⚠ Serious (but rare) Side Effects
- Severe hypotension
- Acute heart failure (in patients with compromised left ventricular function)
- Hepatic dysfunction
5. Drug Interactions
🔹 Potentiates Hypotensive Effects
- Other antihypertensives (e.g., beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors)
- Nitrates
🔹 Metabolism Interaction (CYP3A4 Substrate)
- Inhibitors (↑ Nicardipine levels) → Grapefruit juice, ketoconazole, erythromycin
- Inducers (↓ Nicardipine levels) → Rifampin, phenytoin
🔹 Use Caution in Heart Failure
- May worsen heart failure when combined with beta-blockers
6. Contraindications & Precautions
🚫 Absolute Contraindications
- Severe aortic stenosis (reduces coronary perfusion)
- Hypersensitivity to nicardipine or dihydropyridine CCBs
⚠ Precautions
- Heart failure patients (risk of fluid retention)
- Liver impairment (dose adjustment may be needed)
- Pregnancy Category C (use only if benefits outweigh risks)
7. Special Considerations
🧑⚕️ Hypertensive Emergency → IV nicardipine is often used due to its rapid effect and easy titration.
🧠 Neurosurgical Use → Used off-label for preventing cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage.
🍊 Avoid Grapefruit Juice → Can increase drug levels, leading to excessive hypotension.
8. Herbal Alternatives (Informational Only, Not a Replacement for Nicardipine)
🌿 Hibiscus Tea – Mild antihypertensive properties
🥒 Celery Seed Extract – Traditionally used for blood pressure control
🧄 Garlic Supplements – May have mild vasodilatory effects
Usage Examples:
- Hibiscus Tea: Steep dried hibiscus petals in hot water for 5–10 minutes, drink 1–2 cups daily.
- Garlic Supplement: 600–1,200 mg/day (consult a healthcare provider).
🔴 Always consult a doctor before using herbal alternatives, especially if taking prescribed medications!
Now, we are going to ask this follow up question:
And here is the answer:
Market Introduction and Approval History
- Initial Approval: Nicardipine was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 1988 for the treatment of hypertension and angina.
- Intravenous Formulation: The injectable form of nicardipine received FDA approval on January 30, 1992, expanding its use in acute care settings.
Clinical Trial Data
- Angina Treatment: Clinical trials have demonstrated that nicardipine significantly improves exercise tolerance and delays the onset of angina in patients with chronic stable angina. Effective dosages ranged from 30 to 40 mg taken three times daily.
- Hypertensive Emergencies: A randomized clinical trial comparing intravenous nicardipine to labetalol in emergency settings found that patients treated with nicardipine were more likely to achieve target systolic blood pressure within 30 minutes. Specifically, 91.7% of nicardipine patients reached the target range compared to 82.5% of those on labetalol.
- Neurosurgical Applications: Recent studies have explored the use of nicardipine implants to prevent cerebral vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage. A randomized clinical trial indicated that localized nicardipine release could be effective in this context.
Recall Information
- Discontinuation of Certain Formulations: The original manufacturer discontinued specific formulations of nicardipine, such as CARDENE SR (extended-release capsules), and CARDENE intravenous injection (25 mg/10 mL). However, the FDA determined that these discontinuations were not due to safety or effectiveness concerns.
- Current Availability: As of January 8, 2025, all formulations of CARDENE, including oral capsules and injectable forms, have been discontinued. Patients requiring nicardipine are advised to consult healthcare providers for alternative treatments.
For the most up-to-date information on drug recalls, the FDA provides a searchable list of recalled products.
Please consult a healthcare professional for personalized medical advice.