Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 3, 2026

Intravenous Injections in Neonatal Mice
Published on: November 11, 2014
Intravenous nicardipine as a first-line antihypertensive drug in neonates
C Milou1, V Debuche-Benouachkou, D S Semama
1Service de Pédiatrie 2, Hôpital d'Enfants, Dijon, France.
Objective:
Prospective recording of IV nicardipine efficacy and safety as a first-line antihypertensive drug in neonates.
Patients:
Twenty neonates (15 preterm) with systemic hypertension due to steroids administration (n = 14), polycystic kidney disease (n = 1), renal vein thrombosis (n = 1), coarctation of aorta (n = 1) or from an undetermined cause (n = 3).
Interventions:
The initial nicardipine dosage was 0.5 microg/kg/min in 17 patients. The maximal nicardipine dosage was 0.74+/-0.41 microg/kg/ min (0.5-2.0). The duration of treatment was 14.6+/-11.6 days.
Results:
Systolic blood pressure significantly decreased after 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h of nicardipine treatment (-20+/-11%, -19+/-10%, -20+/-8%, -20+/-10% and -20+/-12%, respectively). The decrease in blood pressure remained significant over the subsequent days of treatment. No hypotension or other clinical side effects were observed.
Conclusions:
Both additional pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies remain mandatory to improve the dosage regimens and assess the efficacy and safety of nicardipine infusion in hypertensive neonates.
Related Concept Videos
Adrenergic Antagonists: ɑ and β-Receptor Blockers
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class I Agents as Sodium Channel Blockers
Class 1A Antiarrhythmic Drugs: These drugs work by moderately blocking sodium channels,...
Antianginal Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers and Ranolazine
CCBs, a diverse class that includes dihydropyridines (nifedipine) and diphenylalkylamines (verapamil and diltiazem), exert their effect by blocking calcium channels in cardiac and smooth muscle cells. This...
Drug Delivery: Enteral Route
Drugs in...
Drug Delivery: Parenteral Route
There are three primary parenteral routes: intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and subcutaneous (SC). The IV route introduces the drug directly into the bloodstream, ensuring immediate action. The IM route...
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation IV: Pharmacological Management

