Nimodipine

Description

Nimodipine is used to treat and prevent the brain damage due to a subarachnoid hemorrhage, a life-threatening condition that occurs due to the rupture of blood vessel in the brain causing bleeding in the space surrounding the brain. This medicine is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Nimodipine

  • Rash
  • Headache
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Low blood pressure
  • Nausea
  • Chest tightness
  • Confusion
  • Unusual tiredness or weakness
  • Sweating
  • Dizziness
  • Diarrhea

Uses of Nimodipine

What is it prescribed for?

  • Subarachnoid hemorrhage
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
  • Duration of effect
    The amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Consumption of alcohol is not recommended while receiving this medicine as it may increase the risk of adverse effects like dizziness, fainting, lightheadedness, headache, etc. Avoid performing activities that require high mental alertness like driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery if alcohol and this medicine are used together.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking/receiving this medicine.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking/receiving this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the drug based on your clinical condition.

Allergy

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to nimodipine or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.

Myocardial infarction/Unstable Angina

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with myocardial infarction or an episode of unstable angina within one month due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking/receiving this medicine.

Breast-feeding

This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking/receiving this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the drug based on your clinical condition.
General warnings

Hypotension

This medicine should be used with caution due to a risk of hypotension and syncope. This risk is especially higher in patients suffering from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Appropriate dose adjustments and close monitoring of blood pressure are necessary for such patients.

Congestive heart failure

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with congestive heart failure since it may worsen the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.

Liver impairment

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with liver disease due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of liver function tests, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition of the patient.

Use in children

This medicine is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age since the safety and efficacy of use are not clinically established.

Kidney impairment

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of kidney function tests, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition of the patient.

Driving or Operating machinery

Use of this medicine may cause dizziness, fatigue, weakness, etc. in some patients. It is advised that you do not perform any activities such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you experience any of these symptoms during treatment with this medicine.

Multivitamin with minerals

Use of Nimodipine along with multivitamin with minerals may alter the desired effects of Nimodipine. Close monitoring of blood pressure levels or appropriate dose adjustments may be required based on the clinical condition of the patient.

Missed Dose

Oral form: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose. Parenteral form: Since this medicine is administered in the hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of a missed dose is very less.

Overdose

Oral form: Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose. Parenteral form: Since this medicine is administered in the hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very less. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

N/A

Instructions

Consumption of alcohol is not recommended while receiving this medicine as it may increase the risk of adverse effects like dizziness, fainting, lightheadedness, headache, etc. Avoid performing activities that require high mental alertness like driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery if alcohol and this medicine are used together.
Interaction with Medicine

Atazanavir

Fosphenytoin

Tizanidine

Carbamazepine

Clarithromycin

Rifampicin

Disease interactions

Hypotension or cardiogenic shock

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients suffering from low blood pressure or cardiogenic shock, since it may worsen the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.

Liver impairment

This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with liver disease due to the increased risk of adverse effects. Regular monitoring of liver function tests is required while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.

Coronary Artery Disease

This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with coronary artery disease due to the increased risk of adverse effects. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice is not recommended while receiving this medicine. Symptoms like dizziness, headache, swelling of hands and feet should be reported to the doctor on priority.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Oral form: Take this medicine on an empty stomach. Do not take in larger amounts than advised/prescribed. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable effects. Do not stop taking the medicine before completion of the course/without consulting your doctor. Parenteral form: This medicine should be administered by a qualified healthcare professional. Inform the doctor if you have a known history of allergy to this medicine. Report to the doctor all your current medicines as well as your medical conditions before receiving this medicine.
Miscelleneous

To be taken on an empty stomach

To be taken as instructed by doctor

Effect on sleep is not established

How it works
This medicine works by relaxing the blood vessels and allows the blood to flow smoothly.
Legal Status

Approved

Unknown

Unknown

Approved

Classification

Category

Calcium channel blocking agents

Schedule

Schedule H

Nimodipine - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 6 September 2018]. Available from:

https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB00393

Nimodipine: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2018 [cited 6 September 2018]. Available from:

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a689010.html

[Internet]. Bayerresources.com.au. 2018 [cited 6 September 2018]. Available from:

http://www.bayerresources.com.au/resources/uploads/pi/file9406.pdf

Nimotop 0.02% Solution for Infusion - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (eMC) [Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2018 [cited 6 September 2018]. Available from:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/1366/smpc

Nimotop 30mg Tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (eMC) [Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2018 [cited 6 September 2018]. Available from:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/1565/smpc

Nimodipine Tablets BP 30 mg - Manufacturer,Exporter [Internet]. Unitedbiotechindia.net. 2019 [cited 14 March 2019]. Available from:

http://www.unitedbiotechindia.net/nimodipine-tablets-bp-30-mg-1741730.html

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Information on this page was last updated on 14 Mar 2019

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.