Nimodipine

Nimodipine is used to treat symptoms resulting from a ruptured blood vessel in the brain (hemorrhage). It increases blood flow to injured brain tissue. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Nimodipine comes as a capsule to take by mouth. If a patient cannot swallow the capsule, the medication can be given through a feeding tube. It is usually taken every 4 hours for 21 days. Nimodipine should be taken on an empty stomach, either 1 hour before a meal, or 2 hours after a meal. This medication should be started within 4 days of the brain hemorrhage. 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. Continue to take nimodipine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking nimodipine without talking to your doctor.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Nimodipine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

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headache</li>
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dizziness or lightheadedness</li>
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flushing (feeling of warmth)</li>
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heartburn</li>
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fast heartbeat</li>
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slow heartbeat</li>
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upset stomach</li>
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stomach pain</li>
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constipation</li>
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depression, feeling low, or the 'blues'</li>
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unusual bruising or bleeding</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

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swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs</li>
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difficulty breathing or swallowing</li>
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fainting</li>
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rash</li></ul>If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before taking nimodipine, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to nimodipine or any other drugs. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially cimetidine (Tagamet), heart and blood pressure medicines, phenytoin (Dilantin), ranitidine (Zantac), and vitamins. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart, liver, or kidney disease. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking nimodipine.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.