Nimodipine

Generic name: Nimodipine
Drug class: Calcium channel blocking agents

Usage of Nimodipine

Nimodipine is a calcium channel blocker that is used to prevent brain damage caused by reduced blood flow to the brain resulting from aneurysm (a dilated or ruptured blood vessel in the brain).

Nimodipine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Nimodipine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Nimodipine may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
  • fast or slow heart rate; or
  • swelling in your ankles or feet.

    • Common side effects of nimodipine may include:

  • low blood pressure (feeling light-headed);
  • nausea, upset stomach;
  • slow heartbeats; or
  • muscle pain.

    • This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

    Before taking Nimodipine

    You should not use nimodipine if you are allergic to it.

    Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with nimodipine. Your doctor may change your treatment plan if you also use:

  • nefazodone;
  • an antibiotic--clarithromycin, telithromycin;
  • antifungal medicine--itraconazole, ketoconazole; o
  • antiviral medicine to treat HIV/AIDS--indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir.

    • Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • cirrhosis or other liver disease; or
  • heart disease; or
  • high blood pressure (especially if you take blood pressure medication).

    • It is not known whether nimodipine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

    You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.

    Relate drugs

    How to use Nimodipine

    Usual Adult Dose for Subarachnoid Hemorrhage:

    60 mg orally, nasogastric, or gastric tube every 4 hours-Duration of therapy: 21 daysComments:-Treatment should begin within 96 hours of the onset of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).-IV and other parenteral routes should be avoided.Use: Improvement of neurological outcome by reducing the incidence and severity of ischemic deficits in patients with SAH from ruptured intracranial berry aneurysms regardless of their post ictus neurological conditions (e.g., Hunt and Hess Grades I to V)

    Warnings

    Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using. Many drugs can interact, and some drugs should not be used together.

    The liquid from a nimodipine capsule should never be injected through a needle into the body, or death may occur.

    What other drugs will affect Nimodipine

    Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

    Many drugs can affect nimodipine, and some drugs should not be used at the same time. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.

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    Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

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