nimodipine

What is the most important information I should know about nimodipine?

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.

What is 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.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking nimodipine?

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).

How should I take nimodipine?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Nimodipine is usually taken for 21 days in a row. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

If the person taking nimodipine cannot swallow the capsule, the medicine from inside the capsule can be given through a nasogastric (NG) feeding tube. A healthcare provider can teach you how to properly give the medicine through an NG tube. Read and carefully follow all instructions given to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.

Your blood pressure and heart rate will need to be checked often.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking nimodipine?

Grapefruit may interact with nimodipine and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products.

Avoid taking an herbal supplement containing St. John's wort.

What are the possible side effects of nimodipine?

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

Common side effects 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.

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.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about nimodipine.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum'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. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 5.01. Revision date: 4/29/2020.