Nimodipine
About
Nimodipine belongs to the group of medicines called 'calcium channel blockers' used to prevent brain function changes after subarachnoid haemorrhage (bleeding around the brain) due to stroke or trauma. Subarachnoid haemorrhage is bleeding around the brain, usually bleeding from an aneurysm (a weakened area in a blood vessel).
Nimodipine contains ‘Nimodipine’ that relaxes the smooth muscles of the small blood vessels in the brain, allowing narrowed blood vessels to open up, making it easier for the blood to flow. This helps increase blood flow & circulation, reduces blood pressure, prevents spasms in blood vessels and lowers the risk of damage caused by insufficient blood flow to the brain after bleeding.
You are advised to take Nimodipine for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience common side-effects such as nausea, stomach upset, headache, light-headedness, irregular heartbeat and muscle pain. Most of these side-effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if the side-effects persist or worsen.
Consult your doctor if you are pregnant. Avoid breastfeeding while taking Nimodipine. Drive or operate machinery only if you are alert as Nimodipine may cause dizziness and decreased alertness. Avoid alcohol consumption while taking Nimodipine as it might cause increased dizziness. Nimodipine is not recommended for children below 18 years of age as safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Uses of Nimodipine
Medicinal Benefits
Nimodipine belongs to the group of medicines called calcium channel blockers used to prevent brain function changes after subarachnoid haemorrhage (bleeding around the brain). Nimodipine relaxes the smooth muscles of the small blood vessels in the brain, allowing narrowed blood vessels to open up, making it easier for the blood to flow. This helps increase blood flow and circulation, reduces blood pressure, prevents spasms in blood vessels and lowers the risk of damage caused by insufficient blood flow to the brain after bleeding.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Nimodipine
- Nausea
- Stomach upset
- Headache
- Light-headedness
- Irregular heartbeat
- Muscle pain
- Hypotension
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Nimodipine if you are allergic to any of its components, if you have had a heart attack in the last month or have angina. Inform your doctor if you have/had a head injury, severely raised pressure in the skull, low blood pressure, alcoholism, kidney/liver problems or if you are on a sodium diet. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant. Avoid breastfeeding while taking Nimodipine. Drive or operate machinery only if you are alert as Nimodipine may cause dizziness and decreased alertness. Avoid alcohol consumption while taking Nimodipine as it might cause increased dizziness. Nimodipine is not recommended for children below 18 years as safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Nimodipine may have interaction with anti-hypertensive (nifedipine, diltiazem, atenolol, propranolol, verapamil, methyldopa), antacid (cimetidine), anti-convulsant (phenobarbitone, phenytoin, carbamazepine, sodium valproate), anti-depressant (fluoxetine, nefazodone), diuretic (furosemide), anti-HIV (indinavir, ritonavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir), anti-fungal (ketoconazole), antibiotic (quinupristin+dalfopristin), aminoglycosides, cephalosporins, and herbal supplement used to treat depression (St. John’s wort).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid drinking grapefruit juice while taking Nimodipine. Treatment with Nimodipine should not be started within 4 days of eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have low blood pressure, coronary heart disease, heart failure, liver or kidney disease.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid alcohol consumption while taking Nimodipine as it might cause increased dizziness.
Pregnancy
cautionNimodipine belongs to pregnancy category C. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this, your doctor will prescribe Nimodipine only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
unsafeAvoid breastfeeding while on treatment with Nimodipine.
Driving
unsafeNimodipine may cause dizziness and decreased alertness. Drive and operate machinery only if you are alert.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Nimodipine should be used with caution in patients with liver impairment/liver disease. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
unsafeNimodipine is not recommended for children below 18 years as safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Maintain a healthy weight with proper diet and exercise.
- Include foods such as whole-grain bread, low-fat dairy products, lean meat, beans and fish.
- Exercise as directed by the physician. It helps in lowering blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and weight.
- Manage stress with meditation, music or deep breathing.
Special Advise
- Regular monitoring of blood pressure levels and heart rate is advised.
- Your doctor may advise regular liver function tests, and blood tests to check your progress.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Subarachnoid haemorrhage: Subarachnoid haemorrhage is bleeding in the subarachnoid space in the brain, usually bleeding from an aneurysm (a weakened area in the blood vessel). Subarachnoid space is the space where cerebrospinal fluid circulates, which protects the brain from injury. Due to haemorrhage, the blood supply to the brain is reduced, which leads to disruption of brain functions leading to its damage. The main symptom of subarachnoid haemorrhage is a sudden, severe headache. Other symptoms include neck pain, shoulder pain, confusion, seizures, irritability, double vision and rapid alertness loss.
FAQs
Nimodipine works by relaxing the blood vessels, making it easier for the blood to flow. This helps prevent spasms in blood vessels, which lowers the risk of damage caused due to insufficient blood flow to the brain after bleeding due to any trauma or stroke.
Please do not stop taking Nimodipine without consulting your doctor. Continue taking Nimodipine for as long as your doctor has prescribed it to you. Do not be reluctant to speak with your doctor if you experience any difficulty while taking Nimodipine.
Light-headedness could be a side-effect of Nimodipine. Light-headedness is a sudden lowering in blood pressure leading to dizziness on standing. If you experience this, do not try to stand up suddenly or start walking, instead lie down and get up slowly only when you feel better.
Nimodipine might affect male fertility as it has been shown to decrease sperm density and motility. So, talk to your doctor if you are trying to father a child.
Nimodipine might decrease the number of platelets in the blood which could cause bleeding or bruising easily. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience unexplained bruising or bleeding.
Consult your doctor before taking multivitamin and multimineral medicines along with Nimodipine as they might decrease the effect of Nimodipine. Regular monitoring of blood pressure and dose adjustment may be required if taken together.
