Well, we have nitroprusside, labetalol, nicardipine, fenoldopam, etc. Say hello to a new drug that is "reported" to be a great drug for ED patients with severe hypertension (emergencies)....Clevipidine (Cleviprex).
Clevidipine is an ultrashort acting calcium channel blocker that has been found to be a powerful antihypertensive medication.
Unique properties of the drug:
Very short half life-quick on, quick off
Not affected by renal/liver disease-drug is broken down into inactive metabolites by plasma esterases
Reportedly as effective as nitroprusside and the other big guns we have for severe hypertension
Starting dose is 1-2 mg/hour and can titrate up every 1-2 minutes.
Contraindicated in patients with allergies to soy products and egg products
Remains to be seen if this drug will play in a role in the treatment of our severely hypertensive patients....stay tuned...
