Clevidipine Butyrate (Monograph)
Brand name: Cleviprex
Drug class: Dihydropyridines
Introduction
Calcium-channel blocking agent; dihydropyridine derivative.1 5 6 7 8 9 10
Uses for Clevidipine Butyrate
Hypertension
Used to reduce BP when oral antihypertensive therapy not feasible or desirable.1
Calcium-channel blockers considered one of several preferred antihypertensive drug classes for initial management of hypertension; other preferred options include ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor antagonists, and thiazide diuretics.501 502 503 504 1200
Clevidipine used for management of perioperative hypertension (e.g., in cardiac surgery), essential hypertension, and severe hypertension (e.g., hypertensive emergencies).1 2 3 4 7 9 10 1200
Some experts state that clevidipine is one of the preferred agents for the management of hypertensive emergencies in patients with certain comorbidities such as acute pulmonary edema, acute renal failure, and acute sympathetic discharge or catecholamine excess states (e.g., pheochromocytoma† [off-label], post-carotid endarterectomy status).1200 (See Pheochromocytoma under Cautions.)
Related/similar drugs
amlodipine, lisinopril, metoprolol, losartan, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, hydralazine
Clevidipine Butyrate Dosage and Administration
General
-
Individualize dosage according to the patient’s response to achieve the desired BP reduction.1
-
Monitor BP and heart rate continuously during IV infusion and until vital signs are stable.1 In patients being transferred to an oral antihypertensive agent, continue BP monitoring until the desired effect is achieved.1
-
Patients who receive prolonged infusions and are not transferred to other antihypertensives should be monitored for rebound hypertension for ≥8 hours following discontinuance of infusion.1 (See Rebound Hypertension under Cautions.)
-
Hypertensive emergency in adults with a compelling indication (i.e., severe preeclampsia or eclampsia, pheochromocytoma crisis† [off-label]): Reduce SBP to <140 mm Hg during the first hour.1200
-
Hypertensive emergency in adults with a compelling indication (acute aortic dissection): Reduce SBP to <120 mm Hg within first 20 minutes.1200
-
Hypertensive emergency in adults without a compelling indication: Initially, reduce SBP by ≤25% within the first hour, followed by further BP reduction if stable to 160/110 or 160/100 mm Hg within the next 2–6 hours; avoid excessive declines in BP that could precipitate renal, cerebral, or coronary ischemia.1200 If this BP is well tolerated and the patient is clinically stable, may implement further gradual reductions toward normal BP in the next 24–48 hours.1200
Administration
IV Administration
Administer by IV infusion into a central or peripheral vein using an infusion device allowing calibrated infusion rates.1
Commercially available standard plastic cannulae may be used to administer the infusion.1
Vials are for single use only.1
Use strict aseptic technique since emulsion can support microbial growth.1 11
Invert vials gently several times before use to ensure uniformity of the emulsion prior to administration.1
Administration must be completed within 12 hours after initial puncture of the vial stopper; discard any unused portions after 12 hours.1
Do not administer in the same IV line as other drugs.1
Clevidipine emulsion should not be diluted; however, it may be administered with sterile water for injection, 0.9% sodium chloride injection, 5% dextrose injection, 5% dextrose and 0.9% sodium chloride injection, lactated Ringer’s and 5% dextrose injection, lactated Ringer’s injection, or 10% amino acid injection.1
Standardize 4 Safety
Standardized concentrations for clevidipine have been established through Standardize 4 Safety (S4S), a national patient safety initiative to reduce medication errors, especially during transitions of care.249 Because recommendations from the S4S panels may differ from the manufacturer’s prescribing information, caution is advised when using concentrations that differ from labeling, particularly when using rate information from the label.249 For additional information on S4S (including updates that may be available), see [Web].
Dosing units differ from concentration units
Patient Population |
Concentration Standards |
Dosing Units |
---|---|---|
Pediatric patients (<50 kg) |
0.5 mg/mL |
mcg/kg/min |
Dosage
Available as clevidipine butyrate; dosage expressed in terms of the salt.1
Adults
Hypertension
IV
Initially, 1–2 mg/hour.1 1200 Initially, dosage may be doubled at short (90-second) intervals; as BP approaches the desired value, increase dosage in smaller increments (less than doubling) at 5- to 10-minute intervals.1 1200
An increase in dosage of approximately 1–2 mg/hour generally produces an additional 2- to 4-mm Hg decrease in SBP.1 Desired therapeutic responses usually occur at dosages of 4–6 mg/hour.1
Patients with severe hypertension: Most patients have received maximum dosages of ≤16 mg/hour; however, dosages up to 32 mg/hour may be required.1 1200
Patients being transferred to an oral antihypertensive agent: Discontinue clevidipine or decrease dosage while appropriate oral therapy is established; consider lag time to onset of the oral antihypertensive agent’s effects.1
Prescribing Limits
Adults
Hypertension
IV
Usually, maximum 16 mg/hour; limited, short-term experience with dosages up to 32 mg/hour and limited experience with infusion durations >72 hours at any dosage.1 1200
Do not administer >1 L of clevidipine emulsion in a 24-hour period (average clevidipine butyrate dosage of 21 mg/hour) because each mL of emulsion contains 200 mg of lipids.1 (See Lipid Intake under Cautions.)
Special Populations
Hepatic Impairment
Hypertension
IV
Initially, 1–2 mg/hour.1
Renal Impairment
Hypertension
IV
Patients with moderate to severe renal impairment: Initially, 1–2 mg/hour.1
Geriatric Patients
Careful dosage selection, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, recommended due to possible age-related decrease in hepatic, renal, and/or cardiac function and concomitant disease and drug therapy.1
Cautions for Clevidipine Butyrate
Contraindications
-
Defective lipid metabolism (e.g., pathologic hyperlipemia, lipoid nephrosis, acute pancreatitis associated with hyperlipemia).1
-
Severe aortic stenosis (because afterload reduction may reduce myocardial oxygen delivery).1
-
Known hypersensitivity to soybeans, soy products, eggs, or egg product.1
Warnings/Precautions
Hypotension and Reflex Tachycardia
Possible hypotension and reflex tachycardia.1 10
Reduce dosage if either systemic hypotension or reflex tachycardia occurs.1 Use of β-adrenergic blocking agents for treatment for clevidipine-induced tachycardia is not recommended.1
Lipid Intake
Lipid intake restrictions may be necessary for patients with substantial disorders of lipid metabolism since commercially available clevidipine is an oil-in-water emulsion.1 11
May need to restrict concurrently administered lipids to compensate for the lipid content of the clevidipine formulation (1 mL of clevidipine emulsion contains 0.2 g of fat [2 kcal]).1 Clevidipine is contraindicated in patients with defective lipid metabolism.1 11 (See Contraindications.)
Negative Inotropic Effects
Potential negative inotropic effects; may precipitate or worsen heart failure.1 Carefully monitor patients with heart failure.1
β-Adrenergic Blocker Withdrawal
Clevidipine is not a β-adrenergic blocking agent and offers no protection against abrupt withdrawal of concomitant β-adrenergic blocking agent therapy; withdraw therapy with β-adrenergic blocking agents gradually.1
Rebound Hypertension
Rebound hypertension reported following discontinuance of prolonged clevidipine infusions (up to 72 hours) in patients who were not transferred to other antihypertensive therapy.1 11 Monitor for rebound hypertension for at least 8 hours following discontinuance of infusion.1
Pheochromocytoma
Manufacturer states that use of clevidipine in the treatment of hypertension associated with pheochromocytoma not established.1 However, some experts state that the drug may be used in patients with a hypertensive emergency associated with acute sympathetic discharge or catecholamine excess states (e.g., pheochromocytoma, post-carotid endarterectomy status).1200
Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Category C.1
Lactation
Not known whether clevidipine is distributed into milk.1 Consider possible infant exposure when clevidipine is used in nursing women.1
Pediatric Use
Safety and efficacy not established in children <18 years of age.1
Geriatric Use
Safety and efficacy in those ≥65 years of age similar to that in younger adults.1
Common Adverse Effects
Nausea,1 2 3 4 11 vomiting,1 4 11 chest discomfort,4 11 headache,1 4 11 atrial fibrillation,1 2 3 11 fever,2 11 insomnia,3 11 acute renal failure,1 2 11 edema.3 11
Drug Interactions
No clinical drug interaction studies performed to date.1 11
Does not appear to inhibit or induce CYP isoenzymes at clinically relevant concentrations in vitro.1
Clevidipine Butyrate Pharmacokinetics
Absorption
Onset
Reduces SBP by 4–5% within 2–4 minutes after initiation of an IV infusion of 0.4 mcg/kg per minute.1
Duration
Full recovery of BP generally occurs within 5–15 minutes following discontinuance of infusion.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Distribution
Extent
Rapidly distributed.1 2 3 4 7 8
Plasma Protein Binding
>99.5%.1
Elimination
Metabolism
Rapidly metabolized via hydrolysis, principally by esterases in the blood and extravascular tissues, to form an inactive carboxylic acid metabolite and formaldehyde.1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10
Elimination Route
Excreted in urine (63–74%) and in feces (7–22%).1 6 7 10
Half-life
Multiphasic; initial half-life is about 1 minute (accounts for 85–90% of elimination) and terminal half-life is about 15 minutes.1 2 3 4 7 8 9 10
Special Populations
Elimination unlikely to be affected by hepatic or renal dysfunction.1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10
Stability
Storage
Parenteral
Injectable Emulsion
2–8°C; protect form light by storing in carton.1 Do not freeze.1
Vials may be removed from refrigerator and stored at 25°C for ≤2 months; however, may not be returned to refrigerator.1
Compatibility
Parenteral
Solution Compatibility
Compatible |
---|
Amino acid 10%1 |
Dextrose 5% in Ringer’s injection, lactated1 |
Dextrose 5% in sodium chloride 0.9%1 |
Dextrose 5% in water1 |
Ringer’s injection, lactated |
Sodium chloride 0.9%1 |
Actions
-
Inhibits transmembrane influx of calcium ions during depolarization in arterial smooth muscle.1
-
Reduces mean arterial BP by decreasing systemic vascular resistance, but does not appear to reduce cardiac filling pressure (i.e., preload), confirming lack of effects on venous capacitance vessels.1 9
Advice to Patients
-
Importance of advising patients with underlying hypertension that they require continued monitoring of their condition and importance of taking oral antihypertensive drugs as directed.1
-
Importance of contacting a clinician immediately if symptoms of a new hypertensive emergency occur (e.g., neurologic symptoms, visual changes, evidence of CHF).1
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Importance of women informing clinicians if they are or plan to become pregnant or plan to breast-feed.1
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Importance of informing clinicians of existing or contemplated concomitant therapy, including prescription and OTC drugs, as well as any concomitant illnesses.1
-
Importance of informing patients of other important precautionary information.1 (See Cautions.)
Additional Information
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided in the accompanying monograph was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. Readers are advised that decisions regarding use of drugs are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and that the information contained in the monograph is provided for informational purposes only. The manufacturer’s labeling should be consulted for more detailed information. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information contained in the monograph is not a substitute for medical care.
Preparations
Excipients in commercially available drug preparations may have clinically important effects in some individuals; consult specific product labeling for details.
Please refer to the ASHP Drug Shortages Resource Center for information on shortages of one or more of these preparations.
Routes |
Dosage Forms |
Strengths |
Brand Names |
Manufacturer |
---|---|---|---|---|
Parenteral |
Injectable emulsion, for IV use |
0.5 mg/mL |
Cleviprex |
Chiesi |
AHFS DI Essentials™. © Copyright 2024, Selected Revisions September 10, 2024. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.
† Off-label: Use is not currently included in the labeling approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
References
1. Chiesi USA, Inc. Cleviprex (clevidipine) injectable emulsion for IV administration prescribing information. Cary, NC; 2017 Oct.
2. Levy JH, Mancao MY, Gitter R et al. Clevidipine effectively and rapidly controls blood pressure preoperatively in cardiac surgery patients: the results of the randomized, placebo-controlled efficacy study of clevidipine assessing its preoperative antihypertensive effect in cardiac surgery-1. Anesth Analg. 2007; 105:918-25, table of contents. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17898366?dopt=AbstractPlus
3. Singla N, Warltier DC, Gandhi SD et al. Treatment of acute postoperative hypertension in cardiac surgery patients: an efficacy study of clevidipine assessing its postoperative antihypertensive effect in cardiac surgery-2 (ESCAPE-2), a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Anesth Analg. 2008; 107:59-67. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18635468?dopt=AbstractPlus
4. Pollack CV, Varon J, Garrison NA et al. Clevidipine, an Intravenous Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker, Is Safe and Effective for the Treatment of Patients With Acute Severe Hypertension. Ann Emerg Med. 2008; :. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18534716?dopt=AbstractPlus
5. Ericsson H, Bredberg U, Eriksson U et al. Pharmacokinetics and arteriovenous differences in clevidipine concentration following a short- and a long-term intravenous infusion in healthy volunteers. Anesthesiology. 2000; 92:993-1001. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10754618?dopt=AbstractPlus
6. Ericsson H, Fakt C, Höglund L et al. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of clevidipine in healthy volunteers after intravenous infusion. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1999; 55:61-7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10206087?dopt=AbstractPlus
7. . Clevidipine. Drugs R D. 2002; 3:190-2. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12099165?dopt=AbstractPlus
8. Nordlander M, Sjöquist PO, Ericsson H et al. Pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic and clinical effects of clevidipine, an ultrashort-acting calcium antagonist for rapid blood pressure control. Cardiovasc Drug Rev. 2004; 22:227-50. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15492770?dopt=AbstractPlus
9. Aronson S, Dyke CM, Stierer KA et al. The ECLIPSE trials: comparative studies of clevidipine to nitroglycerin, sodium nitroprusside, and nicardipine for acute hypertension treatment in cardiac surgery patients. Anesth Analg. 2008; 107:1110-21. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18806012?dopt=AbstractPlus
10. . Clevidipine (Cleviprex) for IV treatment of severe hypertension. Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2008; 50:73-4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18800023?dopt=AbstractPlus
11. The Medicines Company, Parsippany, NJ: Personal communication.
12. Smith WB, Marbury TC, Komjathy SF et al. The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of clevidipine after prolonged continuous infusion in patients with essential hypertension. In: American College of Clinical Pharmacy. 2007 Annual Meeting Guide and Abstracts; October 14–17, 2007; Denver, CO. Abstract No. 221. Accessed 2009 Jul 17. http://www.pharmacotherapy.org
13. Ciesi USA, Inc., Cary, NC: Personal communication.
249. ASHP. Standardize 4 Safety: pediatric continuous infusion standard. Updated 2024 Jun. From ASHP website. Updates may be available at ASHP website. https://www.ashp.org/standardize4safety
501. James PA, Oparil S, Carter BL et al. 2014 evidence-based guideline for the management of high blood pressure in adults: report from the panel members appointed to the Eighth Joint National Committee (JNC 8). JAMA. 2014; 311:507-20. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24352797?dopt=AbstractPlus
502. Mancia G, Fagard R, Narkiewicz K et al. 2013 ESH/ESC Guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension: the Task Force for the management of arterial hypertension of the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) and of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). J Hypertens. 2013; 31:1281-357. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23817082?dopt=AbstractPlus
503. Go AS, Bauman MA, Coleman King SM et al. An effective approach to high blood pressure control: a science advisory from the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hypertension. 2014; 63:878-85. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24243703?dopt=AbstractPlus
504. Weber MA, Schiffrin EL, White WB et al. Clinical practice guidelines for the management of hypertension in the community: a statement by the American Society of Hypertension and the International Society of Hypertension. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2014; 16:14-26. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24341872?dopt=AbstractPlus
542. Marik PE, Varon J. Hypertensive crises: challenges and management. Chest. 2007; 131:1949-62. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17565029?dopt=AbstractPlus
1200. Whelton PK, Carey RM, Aronow WS et al. 2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2017; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29146535?dopt=AbstractPlus
1213. Reboussin DM, Allen NB, Griswold ME et al. Systematic review for the 2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2017; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29146534?dopt=AbstractPlus
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