Nicarson Use In Pregnancy & Lactation

Use in Pregnancy: Pregnancy Category C. There are no adequate and controlled studies to date using nicardipine in pregnant women. Nicardipine should be used in pregnancy only when the potential benefits justify the potential risk to the fetus.
There was an increased embryo lethality observed when nicardipine was administered orally to pregnant rabbits at a dose equivalent to a human oral dose of about 48 mg/kg/day (24 times the maximum recommended human oral dose and one associated with marked maternal body weight gain suppression). There were no adverse effects on the fetus, though there was increased maternal mortality, when nicardipine was given at a lower oral dose equivalent to a human dose of about 32 mg/kg/day (16 times the maximum recommended human oral dose) in a different strain of rabbit. There was no evidence of embryo lethality or teratogenicity when pregnant rats were administered nicardipine orally at a dose equivalent to a human oral dose of about 16 mg/kg/day (8 times the maximum recommended human oral dose); however, dystocia, reduced birth weight, neonatal survival and neonatal weight gain were reported.
Use in Lactation: Nicardipine is distributed into milk in high concentrations in rats. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions to nicardipine in breastfeeding infants, it is recommended that women who breastfeed not be given the drug.