NIMODIPINE

Brand & Generic Names

Nimotop

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Calcium channel blocker

Uses

Helps repair the damage caused by a ruptured blood vessel in the head (also called ruptured aneurysm or subarachnoid hemorrhage).

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Capsule--Swallow with liquid.

When to take:
Results are best if you begin taking within 96 hours after bleeding into the brain begins. Continue taking for 21 days or as directed by your physician.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
This is a calcium channel blocking drug that crosses easily from blood vessels into the brain, where it prevents spasms of the brain's arteries.

Time lapse before drug works:
1 to 2 hours.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Unusually fast or unusually slow heartbeat, loss of consciousness, cardiac arrest.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• If patient is unconscious and not breathing, give mouth-to- mouth breathing. If there is no heartbeat, use cardiac massage and mouth-to-mouth breathing (CPR). Don't try to make patient vomit. If you can't get help quickly, take patient to nearest emergency facility.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose section.

Common:

Tiredness, flushing, swelling of feet, ankles and abdomen.

Infrequent:

• Unusually fast or unusually slow heartbeat, wheezing, cough, shortness of breath.
• Dizziness; numbness or tingling in hands or feet; difficult urination.
• Nausea, constipation.

Rare:

• Transient blindness, increased angina.
• Fainting, chest pain, fever, rash, jaundice, depression, psychosis.
• Pain and swelling in joints, hair loss, vivid dreams.
• Headache.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to any calcium channel blocking* drug.
• You have very low blood pressure.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have kidney or liver disease.
• If you have high blood pressure.
• If you have heart disease other than coronary artery disease.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.

Pregnancy:
Studies inconclusive on harm to unborn child. Consult doctor.

Breast-feeding:
Safety not established. Avoid if possible.

Infants & children:
Not recommended.

Prolonged use:
Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check blood pressure, liver function, kidney function, ECG*.

Skin & sunlight:
Increased sensitivity to sunlight.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Avoid if you feel dizzy. Otherwise, no problems expected.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without doctor's advice until you complete prescribed dose, even though symptoms diminish or disappear.

Others:

• Learn to check your own pulse rate. If it drops to 50 beats per minute or lower, don't take nimodipine until you consult your doctor.
• Drug may lower blood sugar level if daily dose is more than 60mg.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
ACE inhibitors*:	Possible excessive
captopril, enalapril,	potassium in blood.
lisinopril	Dosages may need adjustment.
Antiarrhythmics*	Possible increased effect and
	toxicity of each drug.
Anticoagulants*,	Possible increased anticoagulant
oral	effect.
Anticonvulsants,	Increased anticonvulsant effect.
Antihypertensives*	Dangerous blood pressure drop.
	Dosage may need adjustment.
Beta-adrenergic	Possible irregular
blockers*	heartbeat. May worsen congestive
	heart failure.
Betaxolol eye drops	May cause increased effect of
	nimodipine on heart function.
Calcium	Possible decreased
(large doses)	nimodipine effect.
Carbamazepine	May increase carbamazepine effect
	and toxicity.
Cimetidine	Possible increased nimodipine
	effect and toxicity.
Cyclosporine	Increased cyclosporine toxicity.
Disopyramide	May cause dangerously slow, fast or
	irregular heartbeat.
Diuretics*	Dangerous blood pressure drop.
Levobutanol eye drops	May cause increased effect of
	nimodipine on heart function.
Lithium	Possible decreased lithium effect.
Nicardipine	Possible increased effect and
	toxicity of each drug.
Nitrates*	Reduced angina attacks.
Phenytoin	Possible decreased nimodipine
	effect.
Quinidine	Increased quinidine effect.
Rifampin	Decreased nimodipine effect.
Theophylline	May increase theophylline effect
	and toxicity.
Timolol eyedrops	May cause increased effect of
	nimodipine on heart function.
Tocainide	Increased likelihood of adverse
	reactions from either drug.
Vitamin D	Decreased nimodipine
(large doses)	effect.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Dangerously low blood pressure.
	Avoid.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	Possible irregular heartbeat.
	Avoid.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	Possible irregular heartbeat.
	Avoid.
Tobacco:	Possible rapid heartbeat. Avoid.