Nimotop Oral

Nimodipine is used to decrease problems due to a certain type of bleeding in the brain (subarachnoid hemorrhage-SAH).
Nimodipine is called a calcium channel blocker. The body naturally responds to bleeding by narrowing the blood vessel to slow blood flow. However, when the bleeding is in the brain, stopping blood flow causes more brain damage. Nimodipine is thought to work by relaxing narrowed blood vessels in the brain near the area of bleeding so blood can flow more easily. This effect reduces brain damage.
OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.
This drug may also be used to decrease problems due to stroke.

How to use Nimotop Oral
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking nimodipine and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Nimodipine is usually started as soon as possible after the start of bleeding in the brain, usually within 4 days. Nimodipine is usually taken every 4 hours or as directed by your doctor.
Take the tablet form of this medication by mouth with a full glass of water (8 ounces/240 milliliters) unless your doctor directs you otherwise. Do not lie down for 10 minutes after taking this medication. Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush.
Take the capsule form of this medication by mouth at least 1 hour before and 2 hours after meals, or as directed by your doctor. Swallow the capsule whole. If you cannot swallow a whole capsule, you may poke a hole in the capsule, draw the liquid out with an oral syringe, and give it by mouth or through a naso-gastric tube. Do not mix the contents of the capsule with other liquids. Doing so may prevent the medication from working. Do not inject this medication.
Do not take antacids for 2 hours before or after taking nimodipine tablets. Doing so may prevent the medication from working.
Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medication unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Grapefruit can increase the amount of certain medications in your bloodstream. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well, and even if you do not see any improvement in your symptoms. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details.
Do not suddenly stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. This medication is usually taken for 2 to 4 weeks. Follow your doctor\'s directions carefully. Your condition may become worse if the drug is stopped too soon.
Tell your doctor if your condition worsens.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, flushing, or swelling ankles/feet may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
To reduce dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: fainting, slow/fast heartbeat.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: severe abdominal pain, stomach bloating, inability to have a bowel movement for more than 3 days, severe nausea/vomiting, vision changes.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US -
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking nimodipine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (such as amlodipine, nifedipine); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: chest pain/recent heart attack, low blood pressure, recent head injury, liver disease.
This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
It is not known if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

See also the How to Use section.
Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: drugs for high blood pressure (such as beta blockers including propranolol and metoprolol, ACE inhibitors such as benazepril and enalapril), other calcium channel blockers (such as diltiazem, verapamil).
Other medications can affect the removal of nimodipine from your body, which may affect how nimodipine works. Examples include cimetidine, azole antifungals (such as itraconazole), macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin), rifamycins (such as rifabutin), St. John\'s wort, drugs used to treat seizures (such as carbamazepine, phenytoin), among others.
Check the labels on all your medicines (such as cough-and-cold products, diet aids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-NSAIDs for pain/fever) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your blood pressure or heart rate (such as pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, ibuprofen, naproxen). Ask your pharmacist about using these products safely.
Cimetidine is a nonprescription drug that is commonly used to treat extra stomach acid. Because cimetidine may interact with nimodipine, ask your pharmacist about other products to treat stomach acid.
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

NOTES:
Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as liver function tests, blood pressure, heart rate) may be performed from time to time to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

MISSED DOSE:
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

STORAGE:
Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) in the original foil packets away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not freeze. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
Information last revised May 2010. Copyright(c) 2010 First Databank, Inc.