On this page
Cleviprex
clevipidine · Emulsion
Overview
Active ingredients
Source: NDC Directory| Ingredient | Strength | RxCUI | Monograph |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clevidipine | .5 mg/mL | 1790239 | — |
Forms, strengths and routes
Source: NDC DirectoryPharmacologic classes are listed in the class section below.
Pharmacologic class
Source: NDC Directory| Class | Type | Browse |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium Channel Antagonists [MoA] | MoA | All 75 members |
| Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker [EPC] | EPC | All 49 members |
| Dihydropyridines [CS] | CS | All 49 members |
Regulatory status
Source: Drugs@FDANDC Directory| Product | Trade name | Form | Strength | Ingredient | Status | TE | Flags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 022156-001 | CLEVIPREX | EMULSION | CLEVIDIPINE | Prescription | — | RLD RS | |
| 022156-002 | CLEVIPREX | EMULSION | CLEVIDIPINE | Prescription | — | RLD RS | |
| 022156-003 | CLEVIPREX | EMULSION | CLEVIDIPINE | Discontinued | — | RLD |
Therapeutic equivalence
Source: Orange BookCodes beginning with “A” indicate products the FDA considers therapeutically equivalent. Codes beginning with “B” indicate bioequivalence has not been established. See methodology.
Patents and exclusivity
Source: Orange Book| Patent | Expires | Product | Substance | Use code | Submitted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8658676 | October 10, 2031 | 001 | No | March 6, 2014 | |
| 10010537 | October 10, 2031 | 001 | No | July 12, 2018 | |
| 11103490 | October 10, 2031 | 001 | No | September 1, 2021 | |
| 10010537 | October 10, 2031 | 002 | No | July 12, 2018 | |
| 8658676 | October 10, 2031 | 002 | No | March 6, 2014 | |
| 11103490 | October 10, 2031 | 002 | No | September 1, 2021 | |
| 11103490 | October 10, 2031 | 003 | No | September 1, 2021 | |
| 10010537 | October 10, 2031 | 003 | No | July 12, 2018 | |
| 8658676 | October 10, 2031 | 003 | No | March 6, 2014 |
Approval history
Source: Drugs@FDA| Type | No. | Action | Status | Date | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supplement | 7 | Labeling | Approved | April 16, 2021 | Standard |
| Supplement | 5 | Manufacturing (CMC) | Approved | June 23, 2015 | Standard |
| Supplement | 4 | Manufacturing (CMC) | Approved | November 8, 2013 | Standard |
| Supplement | 3 | Labeling | Approved | December 8, 2011 | Unknown |
| Original application | 1 | Type 1 - New Molecular Entity | Approved | August 1, 2008 | Standard |
Prescribing information
Source: openFDA Drug LabelingReproduced verbatim from the Structured Product Labeling submitted to the FDA (effective 20251106). This is the manufacturer's labelling text, not a summary and not advice.
Indications and Usage
openFDA Drug Labeling1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Cleviprex is indicated for the reduction of blood pressure when oral therapy is not feasible or not desirable. Cleviprex is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker indicated for the reduction of blood pressure when oral therapy is not feasible or not desirable. (1)
Dosage and Administration
openFDA Drug Labeling2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION For intravenous use : Cleviprex is intended for intravenous use. Titrate Cleviprex to achieve the desired blood pressure reduction. Individualize dosage depending on the blood pressure response of the patient and the goal blood pressure. (2.2) Monitoring : Monitor blood pressure and heart rate during infusion, and until vital signs stabilize. (2.1) Initial dose : Initiate intravenous infusion of Cleviprex at 1- 2 mg/hour. (2.2) Dose titration : Double the dose at short (90 second) intervals initially. As the blood pressure approaches goal, increase the dose by less than doubling and lengthen the time between dose adjustments to every 5-10 minutes. An approximately 1-2 mg/hour increase will generally produce an additional 2-4 mmHg decrease in systolic pressure. (2.2) Maintenance dose : Most patients will achieve the desired therapeutic response at approximately 4-6 mg/hour. Severe hypertension is likely to require higher doses. (2.2) Maximum dose : Most patients have received maximum doses of 16 mg/hour or less. There is limited experience with short-term dosing as high as 32 mg/hour. Because of lipid load restrictions, no more than 1000 mL or an average of 21 mg/hour of Cleviprex infusion is recommended per 24 hour period. There is little experience beyond 72 hours at any dose. (2.2) 2.1 Monitoring Monitor blood pressure and heart rate continually during infusion, and then until vital signs are stable. Patients who receive prolonged Cleviprex infusions and are not transitioned to other antihypertensive therapies should be monitored for the possibility of rebound hypertension for at least 8 hours after the infusion is stopped. These patients may need follow-up adjustments in blood pressure control. 2.2 Recommended Dosing Cleviprex is intended for intravenous use. Titrate drug to achieve the desired blood pressure reduction. Individualize dosage depending on the blood pressure to be obtained and the response of the patient. Initial dose: Initiate the intravenous infusion of Cleviprex at 1-2 mg/hour. Dose titration: The dose may be doubled at short (90 second) intervals initially. As the blood pressure approaches goal, the increase in doses should be less than doubling and the time between dose adjustments should be lengthened to every 5-10 minutes. An approximately 1-2 mg/hour increase will generally produce an additional 2-4 mmHg decrease in systolic pressure. Maintenance dose: The desired therapeutic response for most patients occurs at doses of 4-6 mg/hour. Patients with severe hypertension may require doses up to 32 mg/hour, but there is limited experience at this dose rate. Maximum dose: Most patients were treated with maximum doses of 16 mg/hour or less.There is limited short-term experience with doses up to 32 mg/hour. Because of lipid load restrictions, no more than 1000 mL or an average of 21 mg/hour of Cleviprex infusion is recommended per 24 hour period. In clinical trials, 55 hypertensive patients were treated with >500mL of Cleviprex infusion per 24 hour period. There is little experience with infusion durations beyond 72 hours at any dose. Transition to an oral antihypertensive agent: Discontinue Cleviprex or titrate downward while appropriate oral therapy is established. When an oral antihypertensive agent is being instituted, consider the lag time of onset of the oral agent’s effect. Continue blood pressure monitoring until desired effect is achieved. Special populations: Special populations were not specifically studied. In clinical trials, 78 patients with abnormal hepatic function (one or more of the following: elevated serum bilirubin, AST/SGOT, ALT/SGPT) and 121 patients with moderate to severe renal impairment were treated with Cleviprex. An initial Cleviprex infusion rate of 1-2 mg/hour is appropriate in these patients. Table 1 is a guideline for dosing conversion from mg/hour to mL/hour. Table 1. Dose conversion Dose (mg/hour) Dose (mL/hour) 1 2 2 4 4 8 6 12 8 16 10 20 12 24 14 …
Dosage Forms and Strengths
openFDA Drug Labeling3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS Cleviprex is a sterile, milky white injectable emulsion for intravenous use, available in the following configurations: 50 mL single use vial with 0.5 mg/mL clevidipine 100 mL single use vial with 0.5 mg/mL clevidipine 250 mL single use vial with 0.5 mg/mL clevidipine Injectible Emulsion. Single-use vials. 50 mL, or 100 mL, or 250 mL. Concentration is 0.5 mg/mL. (3)
Contraindications
openFDA Drug Labeling4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Cleviprex is contraindicated in patients with: Allergy to soy or eggs (4.1) Defective lipid metabolism (4.2) Severe aortic stenosis (4.3) 4.1 Known Allergy Cleviprex is contraindicated in patients with allergies to soybeans, soy products, eggs, or egg products. 4.2 Defective Lipid Metabolism Cleviprex is contraindicated in patients with defective lipid metabolism such as pathologic hyperlipemia, lipoid nephrosis, or acute pancreatitis if it is accompanied by hyperlipidemia. 4.3 Severe Aortic Stenosis Cleviprex is contraindicated in patients with severe aortic stenosis because afterload reduction can be expected to reduce myocardial oxygen delivery.
Warnings and Cautions
openFDA Drug Labeling5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Maintain aseptic technique. Discard unused portion 12 hours after stopper puncture. (5.1) Hypotension and reflex tachycardia are potential consequences of rapid upward titration of Cleviprex. (5.2) Dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers can produce negative inotropic effects and exacerbate heart failure. Monitor heart failure patients carefully. (5.4) Cleviprex gives no protection against the effects of abrupt beta-blocker withdrawal. (5.5) Patients who receive prolonged Cleviprex infusions and are not transitioned to other antihypertensive therapies should be monitored for the possibility of rebound hypertension for at least 8 hours after the infusion is stopped. (5.6) 5.1 Need for Aseptic Technique Use aseptic technique and discard any unused product within 12 hours of stopper puncture [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)] . 5.2 Hypotension and Reflex Tachycardia Cleviprex may produce systemic hypotension and reflex tachycardia. If either occurs, decrease the dose of Cleviprex. There is limited experience with short-duration therapy with beta-blockers as a treatment for Cleviprex-induced tachycardia. Beta-blocker use for this purpose is not recommended. 5.3 Lipid Intake Cleviprex contains approximately 0.2 g of lipid per mL (2.0 kcal). Lipid intake restrictions may be necessary for patients with significant disorders of lipid metabolism. For these patients, a reduction in the quantity of concurrently administered lipids may be necessary to compensate for the amount of lipid infused as part of the Cleviprex formulation. 5.4 Negative Inotropy Dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers can produce negative inotropic effects and exacerbate heart failure. Monitor heart failure patients carefully. 5.5 Beta-Blocker Withdrawal Cleviprex is not a beta-blocker, does not reduce heart rate, and gives no protection against the effects of abrupt beta-blocker withdrawal. Beta-blockers should be withdrawn only after a gradual reduction in dose. 5.6 Rebound Hypertension Patients who receive prolonged Cleviprex infusions and are not transitioned to other antihypertensive therapies should be monitored for the possibility of rebound hypertension for at least 8 hours after the infusion is stopped. 5.7 Pheochromocytoma There is no information to guide use of Cleviprex in treating hypertension associated with pheochromocytoma.
Adverse Reactions
openFDA Drug Labeling6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following risk is discussed elsewhere in the labeling: Hypotension and Reflex Tachycardia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] Most common adverse reactions (>2%) are headache, nausea, and vomiting. (6.1) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Chiesi USA, Inc. at 1-888-661-9260 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Cleviprex clinical development included 19 studies, with 99 healthy subjects and 1307 hypertensive patients who received at least one dose of clevidipine (1406 total exposures). Clevidipine was evaluated in 15 studies in hypertensive patients: 1099 patients with perioperative hypertension, 126 with severe hypertension and 82 patients with essential hypertension. The desired therapeutic response was achieved at doses of 4-6 mg/hour. Cleviprex was infused for <24 hours in the majority of patients (n=1199); it was infused as a continuous infusion in an additional 93 patients for durations between 24 and 72 hours. Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Use in Perioperative Hypertension The placebo-controlled experience with Cleviprex in the perioperative setting was both small and brief (about 30 minutes). Table 1 shows treatment-emergent adverse reactions and the category of “any common adverse event” in ESCAPE-1 and ESCAPE-2 where the rate on Cleviprex exceeded the rate on placebo by at least 5% (common adverse reactions). Table 1. Common adverse reactions in placebo-controlled perioperative studies. ESCAPE-1 ESCAPE-2 CLV N=53(%) PBO N=51(%) CLV N=61(%) PBO N=49(%) Any common adverse event 27 (51%) 21 (41%) 32 (53%) 24 (49%) Acute renal failure 5 (9%) 1 (2%) -- -- Atrial fibrillation -- -- 13 (21%) 6 (12%) Nausea -- -- 13 (21%) 6 (12%) Three randomized, parallel, open-label studies called ECLIPSE, with longer exposure in cardiac surgery patients define the adverse reactions for patients with perioperative hypertension. Each ECLIPSE study compared Cleviprex (n=752) to an active comparator: nitroglycerin (NTG, n=278), sodium nitroprusside (SNP, n=283), or nicardipine (NIC, n=193). The pooled mean maximum dose in these studies was 10 mg/hour and the mean duration of treatment was 8 hours. There were many adverse events associated with the operative procedure in the clinical studies of Cleviprex and relatively few plausibly related to the drugs used to lower blood pressure. Thus, the ability to differentiate the adverse event profile between treatments is limited. The adverse events observed within one hour of the end of the infusion were similar in patients who received Cleviprex and in those who received comparator agents. There was no adverse reaction that was more than 2% more common on Cleviprex than on the average of all comparators. Serious Adverse Events and Discontinuation – Perioperative Hypertension Studies The incidence of adverse events leading to study drug discontinuation in patients with perioperative hypertension receiving Cleviprex was 5.9% versus 3.2% for all active comparators. For patients receiving Cleviprex and all active comparators the incidence of serious adverse events within one hour of drug infusion discontinuation was similar. Use in Severe Hypertension The adverse events for patients with severe hypertension are based on an uncontrolled study in patients with severe hypertension (VELOCITY, n=126). The common adverse reactions for Cleviprex in severe hypertension included headache (6.3%), nausea (4.8%), and vomiting (3.2%). The incidence of adverse events leading to study drug discontinuation for Cleviprex in severe hypertension was 4.8%. Less Common Adverse Reactions in Patients with Severe or Essential Hypertension Adverse reactions that were reported in <1% of patients with severe or essential …
Drug Interactions
openFDA Drug Labeling7 DRUG INTERACTIONS No clinical drug interaction studies were conducted. Clevidipine and its major dihydropyridine metabolite do not have the potential for blocking or inducing any CYP enzyme. At clinically relevant concentrations, clevidipine and its metabolites do not inhibit or induce any CYP450 enzymes. The potential of clevidipine to interact with other drugs is low. (7)
Use in Specific Populations
openFDA Drug Labeling8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS Pediatric use : Safety and effectiveness of Cleviprex in children under 18 years of age have not been established. (8.4 ) 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary The available data based on post-marketing reports with Cleviprex use in pregnant women are not sufficient to inform a drug-associated risk for major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. There are risks to the mother and fetus associated with poorly controlled hypertension in pregnancy ( see Clinical Considerations ). In animal studies, clevidipine was associated with increased incidences of intrauterine deaths, slightly reduced fetal weight, retarded skeletal development, abortion, and embryo lethality at doses higher than the expected human dose. No evidence of embryo-fetal malformation was found with continuous IV infusion of clevidipine administered to pregnant rats and rabbits during the period of organogenesis at multiples of 2.8 and 7.6 times the expected human dose of 16 mg/hour respectively ( see Data ). The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of major birth defects, loss, and other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Disease-associated maternal and/or embryo/fetal risk Hypertension in pregnancy increases the maternal risk for pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, premature delivery, and delivery complications (e.g., need for cesarean section and postpartum hemorrhage). Hypertension increases the fetal risk for intrauterine growth restriction and intrauterine death. Pregnant women with hypertension should be carefully monitored and managed accordingly. Data Animal Data In pregnant rats, clevidipine caused a dose-related increase in mortality, length of gestation, and prolonged parturition at dose levels of 13, 35, and 55 mg/kg/day. Clevidipine has been shown to cross the placenta in rats. No evidence of embryo-fetal malformation was found with continuous IV infusion of clevidipine during the period of organogenesis at doses up to 13 mg/kg/day in pregnant rats and 35 mg/kg/day in pregnant rabbits (2.8 to 7.6 times the expected human dose of 16 mg/hour). Embryo-fetal toxicity was seen with continuous IV infusion of clevidipine during the period of major embryonic organogenesis at 35 mg/kg/day in pregnant rats and at 55 mg/kg/day in pregnant rabbits (7.6 to 12 times the expected maximum human dose of 16 mg/hour). There was no evidence that clevidipine was teratogenic at the highest dose levels studied in pregnant rats and rabbits. 8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There are no data on the presence of clevidipine in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. 8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of Cleviprex in children under 18 years of age have not been established. 8.5 Geriatric Use Of the 1406 subjects (1307 with hypertension) treated with Cleviprex in clinical studies, 620 were ≥65 years of age and 232 were ≥75 years of age. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between these and younger patients. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. In general, for an elderly patient doses should be titrated cautiously, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.
Mechanism of Action
openFDA Drug Labeling12.1 Mechanism of Action Clevidipine is a dihydropyridine L-type calcium channel blocker. L-type calcium channels mediate the influx of calcium during depolarization in arterial smooth muscle. Experiments in anesthetized rats and dogs show that clevidipine reduces mean arterial blood pressure by decreasing systemic vascular resistance. Clevidipine does not reduce cardiac filling pressure (pre-load), confirming lack of effects on the venous capacitance vessels.
Description
openFDA Drug Labeling11 DESCRIPTION Cleviprex is a sterile, milky-white emulsion containing 0.5 mg/mL of clevidipine suitable for intravenous administration. Clevidipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker. Chemically, the active substance, clevidipine, is butyroxymethyl methyl 4-(2 ́,3 ́-dichlorophenyl)-1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-3,5-pyridinedicarboxylate. It is a racemic mixture with a molecular weight of 456.3 g/mol. Each enantiomer has equipotent antihypertensive activity. The structure and formula are: Clevidipine is practically insoluble in water and is formulated in an oil-in-water emulsion. In addition to the active ingredient, clevidipine, Cleviprex contains soybean oil (200 mg/mL), glycerin (22.5 mg/mL), purified egg yolk phospholipids (12 mg/mL), oleic acid (0.3 mg/mL), disodium edetate (0.05 mg/mL), and sodium hydroxide to adjust pH. Cleviprex has a pH of 6.0 – 8.0 and is a ready-to-use emulsion. Clevidipine Structure and Formula
Overdosage
openFDA Drug Labeling10 OVERDOSAGE There has been no experience of overdosage in human clinical trials. In clinical trials, doses of Cleviprex up to 106 mg/hour or 1153 mg maximum total dose were administered. The expected major effects of overdose would be hypotension and reflex tachycardia. Discontinuation of Cleviprex leads to a reduction in antihypertensive effects within 5 to 15 minutes [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)] . In case of suspected overdosage, Cleviprex should be discontinued immediately and the patient’s blood pressure should be supported.
How Supplied / Storage and Handling
openFDA Drug Labeling16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING Cleviprex (clevidipine) injectable emulsion is supplied as a sterile, milky white liquid emulsion product in single-use glass vials at a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL of clevidipine. NDC 10122-610-10: 10 Single Use 50 mL Vials NDC 10122-611-10: 10 Single Use 100 mL Vials Storage Leave vials in cartons until use. Clevidipine is photosensitive and storage in cartons protects against photodegradation. Protection from light during administration is not required. Store vials refrigerated at 2-8°C (36-46°F). Do not freeze . Vials in cartons may be transferred to 25°C (77°F, USP controlled room temperature) for a period not to exceed 2 months. Upon transfer to room temperature, mark vials in cartons “This product was removed from the refrigerator on _/_/_ date. It must be used or discarded 2 months after this date or the labeled expiration date (whichever date comes first).” Do not return to refrigerated storage after beginning room temperature storage. Handling Maintain aseptic technique while handling Cleviprex. Cleviprex is a single-use parenteral product that contains 0.005% disodium edetate to inhibit the rate of growth of microorganisms, for up to 12 hours, in the event of accidental contamination. However, Cleviprex can still support the growth of microorganisms, as it is not an antimicrobially preserved product under USP standards. Do not use if contamination is suspected. Once the stopper is punctured, use within 12 hours and discard any unused portion. Cleviprex inhibits microbial growth for up to 12 hours, as demonstrated by test data for representative USP microorganisms, staphylococcus epidermidis and serratiamarcescens.
Adverse event reports
Source: openFDA FAERSAttributed to this product's most-reported active ingredient: CLEVIDIPINE. Combination products with more than six active ingredients are not attributed, because a report count summed across a long ingredient list measures the list, not the medicine.
Recalls
Source: FDA Enforcement| Classification | Reported | Firm | Reason | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class II | July 22, 2026 | Chiesi USA, Inc. | Lack of Assurance of Sterility | Ongoing |
Packaging and NDCs
Source: NDC Directory| Package NDC | Product NDC | Labeler | Description | Marketing start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10122-610-10 | 10122-610 | Chiesi USA, Inc. | 10 CARTON in 1 CARTON (10122-610-10) / 1 VIAL, SINGLE-USE in 1 CARTON (10122-610-01) / 50 mL in 1 VIAL, SINGLE-USE | September 15, 2008 |
| 10122-611-10 | 10122-611 | Chiesi USA, Inc. | 10 CARTON in 1 CARTON (10122-611-10) / 1 VIAL, SINGLE-USE in 1 CARTON (10122-611-01) / 100 mL in 1 VIAL, SINGLE-USE | September 15, 2008 |
| 18124-011-00 | 18124-011 | Fresenius Kabi Austria GmbH | 10 CARTON in 1 CARTON (18124-011-00) / 1 VIAL, SINGLE-USE in 1 CARTON / 100 mL in 1 VIAL, SINGLE-USE | September 15, 2008 |
| 18124-011-25 | 18124-011 | Fresenius Kabi Austria GmbH | 4 CARTON in 1 CARTON (18124-011-25) / 1 VIAL, SINGLE-USE in 1 CARTON / 250 mL in 1 VIAL, SINGLE-USE | September 15, 2008 |
| 18124-011-50 | 18124-011 | Fresenius Kabi Austria GmbH | 10 CARTON in 1 CARTON (18124-011-50) / 1 VIAL, SINGLE-USE in 1 CARTON / 50 mL in 1 VIAL, SINGLE-USE | September 15, 2008 |
| 10122-610 | 10122-610 | Chiesi USA, Inc. | — | September 15, 2008 |
| 10122-611 | 10122-611 | Chiesi USA, Inc. | — | September 15, 2008 |
| 18124-011 | 18124-011 | Fresenius Kabi Austria GmbH | — | September 15, 2008 |
Sources for this page
| Dataset | Agency | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| NDC Directory | FDA | Identity, ingredients, strengths, forms, routes, labelers, packages |
| Drugs@FDA | FDA | Application, sponsor, submissions, review documents, marketing status |
| Orange Book | FDA | Therapeutic equivalence codes, reference drug flags, patents, exclusivity |
| Drug Labeling | FDA / NLM | Prescribing information reproduced above |
| FAERS | FDA | Adverse event report counts |
| Enforcement | FDA | Recall records |
Generated September 25, 2026 · 13 sections on this page.