It is recommended to use the same dose regimens as for elderly patients in pregnant women.
Pregnancy: Limited pharmacokinetic data have shown that nicardipine i.v. does not accumulate and has a low placental transfer. In clinical practice, the use of nicardipine during the first two trimesters in a limited number of pregnancies has not revealed any malformative or particular foetotoxic effect to date. The use of nicardipine for severe pre-eclampsia during the third trimester of pregnancy could potentially produce an undesirable tocolytic effect which could potentially interfere with the spontaneous induction of labour.
Acute pulmonary oedema has been observed when nicardipine has been used as tocolytic during pregnancy, especially in cases of multiple pregnancy (twins or more), with the intravenous route and/or concomitant use of beta-2 agonists. Nicardipine should not be used in multiple pregnancies or in pregnant women with compromised cardio-vascular condition, except if there is no other acceptable alternative.
Lactation: Nicardipine and its metabolites are excreted in human milk at very low concentrations. There is insufficient information on the effects of nicardipine in newborns/infants. Nicardipine should not be used during breast-feeding.