Home Drug Guide Clevidipine

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Clevidipine

Brand Names Cleviprex

Classification

Therapeutic: Antihypertensive

Pharmacological: Calcium Channel Blocker (Dihydropyridine)

FDA Approved Indications

  • Management of refractory hypertension when oral therapy is not feasible or not preferred.

Mechanism of Action

Clevidipine inhibits calcium ions from entering vascular smooth muscle and cardiac muscle cells, resulting in decreased peripheral vascular resistance and blood pressure.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Start with 1-2 mg/hour IV infusion; titrate every 90 seconds to achieve desired blood pressure, typically up to 16 mg/hour.

Pediatric: Not approved for pediatric use.

Geriatric: Use with caution, start at lower end of dosing range due to increased sensitivity.

Renal Impairment: No specific dosage adjustment recommended.

Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution; no specific adjustments established.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Rapid onset due to IV administration.

Distribution: Widely distributed; negligible protein binding.

Metabolism: Rapid hydrolysis by blood and tissue esterases.

Excretion: Metabolites excreted primarily in the urine.

Half Life: Approximately 2-3 minutes.

Contraindications

  • Allergy to ingredients.

Precautions

  • Use with caution in patients with dissecting aortic aneurysm, unstable angina, or recent MI.
  • Monitor for hypotension and reflex tachycardia.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Headache (Common)
  • Nausea (Common)
  • Hypotension (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Rebound hypertension upon abrupt cessation (Serious)
  • Reflex tachycardia (Serious)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Other antihypertensives, increasing risk of hypotension.

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor blood pressure closely during infusion.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for hypotension.
  • Risk for decreased tissue perfusion.

Implementation: Administer via infusion pump, titrate carefully, monitor vital signs.

Evaluation: Achieve target blood pressure without inducing hypotension or adverse effects.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Report symptoms of excessive hypotension or dizziness.
  • Follow instructions for infusion site care.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • Use only in settings where blood pressure can be closely monitored.
  • Abrupt discontinuation may cause rebound hypertension.

Genetic Factors: None specified.

Lab Test Interference: No known interference.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Severe hypotension, reflex tachycardia, dizziness.

Treatment: Discontinue drug, provide supportive care, administer vasopressors if necessary.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature, protected from light.

Stability: Stable until expiration date when stored properly.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.