Nicardipine use while Breastfeeding
Drugs containing Nicardipine: Cardene, Cardene IV, Cardene SR
Nicardipine Levels and Effects while Breastfeeding
Summary of Use during Lactation
Because of the low levels of nicardipine in breastmilk, amounts ingested by the infant are small and would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants. No special precautions are required.
Drug Levels
Maternal Levels.Ten women were treated with oral nicardipine 4 to 14 days postpartum. Four received an immediate-release product 40 to 80 mg daily, and 6 received a sustained-release product 100 to 150 mg daily. Another woman received intravenous nicardipine 120 mg daily. The authors calculated that the infants received an average of 0.073% of the maternal weight-adjusted dose with the oral dosage and 0.14% of the maternal weight-adjusted dose with the intravenous dosage. They estimated that the average dosage that an infant would receive is about 0.3% of the projected infant dosage.[1]
Seven women received intravenous infusions of nicardipine for an average of 1.9 days in the immediate postpartum period as therapy for pre-eclampsia. Thirty-four milk samples were obtained at unspecified times; nicardipine was undetectable (<5 mcg/L) in 82% of samples. Four women receiving 1 to 6.5 mg/hour of nicardipine had 6 milk samples with detectable nicardipine ranging from 5.1 to 18.5 mcg/L. The highest concentration of 18.5 mcg/L was found in a woman receiving 5.5 mg/hour of nicardipine. The authors estimated that the maximum dose that could be received by a breastfed infant was less than 0.3 mcg daily or between 0.015 to 0.004% of a therapeutic dose in a 1 kg infant.[2]
Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Effects in Breastfed Infants
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Possible Effects on Lactation
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Alternate Drugs to Consider
References
1. Jarreau PH, Le Beller C, Guillonneau M et al. Excretion of nicardipine in human milk. Paediatr Perinat Drug Ther. 2000;4:28-30.
2. Bartels P, Hanff L, Mathot R et al. Nicardipine in pre-eclamptic patients: placental transfer and disposition in breast milk. BJOG. 2006; 114:230-3. PMID: 17166219
Nicardipine Identification
Substance Name
CAS Registry Number
55985-32-5
Drug Class
- Antihypertensive Agents
- Calcium Channel Blockers
- Vasodilator Agents
Administrative Information
LactMed Record Number
408
Information from the National Library of Medicine's LactMed Database.
Last Revision Date
2010-12-07
Disclaimer
Information presented in this database is not meant as a substitute for professional judgment. You should consult your healthcare provider for breastfeeding advice related to your particular situation. The U.S. government does not warrant or assume any liability or responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information on this Site.
See Also...
- Nicardipine use during Pregnancy
- Nicardipine Consumer Information
- Breastfeeding Support Group
- Safe Medications during Breastfeeding
- Medicine use while Breastfeeding
- Medicine use during Pregnancy
Disclaimer: This information is not intended as a substitute for professional judgment. You should consult your healthcare provider for breastfeeding advice related to your particular situation. Use of this website signifies your agreement to the Terms of Use and Online Privacy Policy.
