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.
Prevent brain function changes after subarachnoid haemorrhage (bleeding around the brain).
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.
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-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.
Avoid alcohol consumption while taking NIMODIPINE as it might cause increased dizziness.
NIMODIPINE 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.
Avoid breastfeeding while on treatment with NIMODIPINE.
NIMODIPINE may cause dizziness and decreased alertness. Drive and operate machinery only if you are alert.
Dose 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.
Dose adjustment may be needed. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
NIMODIPINE is not recommended for children below 18 years as safety and effectiveness have not been established.
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.