Nicardipine is a calcium channel blocker belonging to the dihydropyridine class, primarily used to treat hypertension and angina by relaxing blood vessels and improving blood flow. It was first developed in the late 1970s and introduced clinically in the early 1980s as an alternative to other antihypertensive agents, offering the advantages of potent vasodilation with fewer negative effects on heart rate. Its pharmacological profile, including high vascular selectivity and moderate cardiac effects, made it suitable for managing chronic high blood pressure, acute hypertensive crises, and certain cardiac conditions. Over time, nicardipine has been widely used in both oral and intravenous formulations, and its efficacy and safety have established it as a standard therapy in cardiovascular medicine, particularly for patients requiring careful blood pressure control without significant cardiac depression.
