Uses
Nimodipine is used to decrease brain damage that may be caused by a subarachnoid hemorrhage (bleeding in the space surrounding the brain that occurs when a weakened blood vessel in the brain bursts). Nimodipine is in a class of medications called calcium channel blockers. It works by relaxing blood vessels in the brain to allow more blood to flow to damaged areas.
Side Effects Of Nimodipine
Nimodipine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- headache
- diarrhea
- nausea
- muscle pain
- rash
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
- dizziness
- lightheadedness
- slow or fast heartbeat
- swelling of the arms, hands, feet, or legs
Warnings & Precautions
Before taking nimodipine:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to nimodipine, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in nimodipine capsules or oral solution. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medications: certain antifungal medications including itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), and voriconazole (Vfend); clarithromycin (Biaxin); certain medications for HIV including indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra), and saquinavir (Invirase); nefazodone; and telithromycin (Ketek). Your doctor may tell you not to take nimodipine.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, nutritional supplements, and vitamins you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: aprepitant (Emend); armodafinil (Nuvigil); alprazolam (Niravam, Xanax); amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone, Nexterone); atazanavir (Reyataz), bosentan (Tracleer); cimetidine (Tagamet); conivaptan (Vaprisol); cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune); delavirdine (Rescriptor);diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac); dalfopristin/quinupristin combination (Synercid); efavirenz (Sustiva, in Atripla); erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin); etravirine (Intelence); fluconazole (Diflucan); fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, in Symbyax); isoniazid (in Rifater, in Rifamate); medications for high blood pressure or heart disease including diuretics (‘water pills’): certain medications for hepatitis including boceprevir (Victrelis) and telaprevir (Incivek); certain medications for seizures including carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol), phenobarbital (Luminal), and phenytoin (Dilantin); modafinil (Provigil); nafcillin (Nallpen); oral contraceptives (birth control pills); phosphodiesterase (PDE-5) inhibitors including sildenafil (Revatio, Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn); pioglitazone (Actos, in Actoplus Met, in Duetact, in Oseni); posaconazole (Noxafil);prednisone (Rayos); rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rimactane, in Rifamate); rufinamide (Banzel); valproic acid (Depakene); verapamil (Calan, Covera, Tarka, Verelan); and vemurafenib (Zelburaf). Many other medications may also interact with nimodipine, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications that you are taking even if they do not appear on this list. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you more carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially Echinacea and St. John’s wort.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking nimodipine, call your doctor.
Nimodipine Dosage
Nimodipine comes as a capsule and an oral solution (liquid) to take by mouth or be given through a feeding tube. It is usually taken every 4 hours for 21 days in a row. Treatment with nimodipine should be started as soon as possible, no later than 96 hours after a subarachnoid hemorrhage occurs. Nimodipine should be taken on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before a meal or 2 hours after a meal Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take nimodipine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Swallow the capsules whole with water.
It is important to finish your entire course of treatment with nimodipine. Continue to take nimodipine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking nimodipine without talking to your doctor.
Other
Keep all appointments with your doctor. Your doctor will monitor your blood pressure carefully during your treatment with nimodipine.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
