Clevidipine
Generic name: clevidipine [ kle-VID-a-peen ]
Brand name: Cleviprex
Dosage form: intravenous emulsion (0.5 mg/mL)
Drug class:Calcium channel blocking agents
What is clevidipine?
Clevidipine is a calcium channel blocker that is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in people who cannot take medicine by mouth.
Clevidipine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
If possible before you receive clevidipine, tell your doctor if you have high cholesterol or triglycerides (especially if you also have pancreatitis), aortic stenosis (narrowing of aortic valves in the heart), lipoid nephrosis (a kidney disorder), or if you are allergic to eggs or soy products.
In an emergency, you may not be able to tell caregivers about your health conditions. Make sure any doctor caring for you afterward knows you received clevidipine.
Before taking this medicine
You should not be treated with clevidipine if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
high cholesterol or triglycerides (especially if you also have pancreatitis);
problems with metabolizing fats;
severe narrowing of the aortic valve in your heart (aortic stenosis);
a kidney disorder called lipoid nephrosis; or
an allergy to eggs, soybeans, or soy products.
If possible before you receive clevidipine, tell your caregivers if you have ever had:
high cholesterol;
pancreatitis;
congestive heart failure;
food allergies;
pheochromocytoma (an adrenal gland tumor); or
liver or kidney disease.
In an emergency, you may not be able to tell caregivers if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Make sure any doctor caring for your pregnancy or your baby knows you received this medicine.
How is clevidipine given?
Clevidipine is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.
Your blood pressure and other vital signs will be watched closely. Your dose will be adjusted as your blood pressure normalizes.
You may be given another blood pressure medication to take after treatment with clevidipine.
If your doctor does not prescribe blood pressure medication for you to keep taking, you will need to be watched for at least 8 hours after your last clevidipine injection to make sure your blood pressure does not go back up again.
