Used primarily to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and angina (chest pain), nicardipine works by relaxing blood vessels to improve blood flow and reduce the workload on the heart. It is especially effective in patients who need rapid blood pressure control, often administered intravenously in acute settings. Also utilized during certain surgical procedures to maintain stable blood pressure, it offers precise dose titration. Its vasodilatory effects make it beneficial in managing cerebral vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage. Oral formulations are used for long-term management of chronic hypertension.