cleviprex

Cleviprex (clevidipine) is in a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers. It works by relaxing the muscles of your heart and blood vessels.

Cleviprex is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in people who cannot take medicine by mouth.

Cleviprex may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information

You should not receive Cleviprex if you are allergic to clevidipine, eggs, or soy products. You also should not receive Cleviprex if you have high cholesterol or triglyceride levels in your blood, pancreatitis with high cholesterol or triglycerides, a kidney disorder called lipoid nephrosis, or severe narrowing of the aortic valve in your heart (aortic stenosis).

Before you receive Cleviprex, tell your doctor if you have food allergies, pancreatitis, pheochromocytoma (an adrenal gland tumor), heart disease, or a history of high cholesterol.

In an emergency situation it may not be possible before you are treated to tell your caregivers about your health conditions or if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Make sure any doctor caring for you afterward knows that you have received this medication.

Tell your doctor about all other heart or blood pressure medications you are using.

If you are also taking a beta-blocker (such as Betapace, Coreg, Corgard, Dutoprol, Inderal, InnoPran, Lopressor, Normodyne, Tenormin, Tenoretic, Toprol, Trandate, and others), do not suddenly stop using the beta blocker without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely. Stopping a beta blocker too quickly can cause serious heart problems that will not be prevented by Cleviprex.

Before using Cleviprex

You should not receive Cleviprex if you are allergic to clevidipine, eggs, or soy products. You also should not receive Cleviprex if you have:

• high cholesterol or triglyceride levels in your blood;

• pancreatitis with high cholesterol or triglycerides;

• a kidney disorder called lipoid nephrosis; or

• severe narrowing of the aortic valve in your heart (aortic stenosis).

If possible before you receive Cleviprex, tell your doctor if you have:

• food allergies;

• pancreatitis;

• pheochromocytoma (an adrenal gland tumor);

• heart disease; or

• a history of high cholesterol.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Cleviprex is harmful to an unborn baby. Before you receive this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant. It is not known whether clevidipine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Before you receive this medication, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. In an emergency situation it may not be possible before you are treated with Cleviprex to tell your caregivers if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Make sure any doctor caring for your pregnancy or your baby knows you have received this medication.

See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

How is Cleviprex given?

Cleviprex is injected into a vein through an IV. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. You will continue to receive Cleviprex until you are able to take blood pressure medication orally (by mouth).

Your blood pressure and heart rate will be watched closely while you are receiving Cleviprex. Your blood pressure may also need to be checked often for several hours after you stop receiving this medication.

While you are being treated with Cleviprex, keep using your prescribed blood pressure medications even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

If you are also taking a beta-blocker (such as Betapace, Coreg, Corgard, Dutoprol, Inderal, InnoPran, Lopressor, Normodyne, Tenormin, Tenoretic, Toprol, Trandate, and others), do not suddenly stop using the beta blocker without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely. Stopping a beta blocker too quickly can cause serious heart problems that will not be prevented by Cleviprex.

Cleviprex may be only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes a special diet. It is very important to follow the diet plan created for you by your doctor or nutrition counselor. You should become very familiar with the list of foods you must avoid to help control your condition.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since Cleviprex is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, you are not likely to miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include slow heartbeats, severe dizziness, and fainting.

What should I avoid?

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

Cleviprex side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Cleviprex: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tell your caregiver at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• feeling like you might pass out;

• rapid heart rate;

• urinating less than usual or not at all;

• weakness, confusion, increased thirst, loss of appetite, vomiting, pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;

• swelling, weight gain, feeling short of breath;

• vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, bloating, severe constipation;

• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, sweating, general ill feeling;

• slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, slow breathing (breathing may stop); or

• dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, uneven heartbeats, seizure).

Less serious Cleviprex side effects may include:

• mild headache;

• mild nausea; or

• mild constipation.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Cleviprex?

There may be other drugs that can interact with Cleviprex. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.