European Medicines Agency gives recommendations on use of intravenous nicardipine

The European Medicines Agency has completed a benefit-risk review of intravenous (given into a vein) nicardipine medicines.  The Agency’s Committee on Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) concluded that these medicines should only be used to treat acute (sudden) life-threatening high blood pressure and to control high blood pressure after an operation. Use of intravenous nicardipine medicines in other indications is no longer recommended. The CHMP also recommended that these medicines should only be given by continuous infusion (drip) into a vein by a specialist in a hospital or intensive care unit.Detailed information on the recommended uses of intravenous nicardipine,