[2] Its mechanism of action and clinical effects closely resemble those of nifedipine and the other dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (amlodipine, felodipine), except that nicardipine is more selective for cerebral and coronary blood vessels.

It is primarily a peripheral arterial vasodilator, thus unlike the nitrovasodilators (nitroglycerin and nitroprusside), cardiac preload is minimally affected.

[4][3] In the setting of a ruptured brain aneurysm, nicardipine may be used (if nimodipine is unavailable) to reduce blood pressure and as prevention or treatment against cerebral vasospasm.

[7] This is due to the rapid onset and short half-life of this drug, which allows for precision in the control of blood pressure.

Hypotension is another frequently observed side effect, particularly seen in scenarios when this medication is used intravenously for hypertensive emergencies.