Nimodipine - Oral

Nimodipine helps prevent changes in brain function due to a lack of oxygen in people who have a burst blood vessel in the brain. This medicine relaxes the blood vessels and helps improve blood circulation in the brain, allowing the brain tissue to heal better.

Take Nimodipine exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.

Nimodipine is available as a tablet, liquid-filled capsule, and oral solution.

You may take the tablet with or without food. Swallow it whole with a glass of water.

If you are taking the capsule or oral solution, take it on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.

Try to take it at the same time each day.

If you cannot swallow the capsule or if you are on a feeding tube, you may extract the contents of the capsule and administer it through a feeding tube. Using an 18-gauge needle, make a hole in both ends of the capsule. Extract the contents of the capsule with a syringe and transfer it into the feeding tube. Follow with 30 mL of normal saline to ensure that all the medicine is washed into the stomach. Make sure the syringe is labelled properly as "For oral use only. NOT for injection". The contents of the capsule must never be injected.

The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the type of your condition.

Nimodipine must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.

DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.

If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.

Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• recent heart attack (during or within 1 month)
• unstable angina (chest pain that occurs randomly or unexpectedly)

as Nimodipine may not be suitable for you.

Do not take Nimodipine with medicines used to treat TB (lung infection known as tuberculosis), and medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures). Please see the section "Can I take this with other medicines?" below for more information.

Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• low blood pressure
• brain swelling
• severely increased pressure around the skull
• liver disease particularly cirrhosis (scarring of the liver)

Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Nimodipine to the elderly. Elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.

If you are going to have certain laboratory tests (e.g. blood test for adrenal gland function), inform your doctor that you are taking this medicine.

Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.

Your blood pressure or heart rate may fall to unsafe levels without you noticing it. Monitor your blood pressure and heart rate regularly during treatment.

Nimodipine may cause any of the following side effects: headache, dizziness, nausea, constipation, fast or slow heartbeat, and rashes.

Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:

• signs and symptoms of low blood pressure e.g. severe dizziness, blurred vision, confusion, fainting or passing out
• chest pain, tightness or pressure, pain that may spread to the arms, jaw, neck, shoulder or back, shortness of breath, lightheadedness

Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.

Do not take Nimodipine with the following medicines:

• medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin
• rifampicin (medicine to treat TB [lung infection known as tuberculosis])

Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:

• medicines for high blood pressure e.g. atenolol, captopril, diltiazem, losartan, methyldopa
• medicines to treat depression e.g. fluoxetine, nefazodone
• medicines to treat fungal infection e.g. ketoconazole, voriconazole
• certain antibiotics e.g. amikacin, erythromycin, clarithromycin, cefuroxime, quinupristin + dalfopristin
• water pills or medicines for water retention e.g. furosemide
• cimetidine (medicine that reduces stomach acid production)
• ritonavir (medicine for HIV infection)
• valproic acid (medicine for epilepsy [fits or seizures])
• St. John's wort (herbal medicine)

This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Nimodipine.

Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.

Avoid alcohol.

Avoid excessive consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice (more than 1 litre a day).

Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.

Protect from light.

Do not allow the liquid-filled capsule to freeze.

The oral solution should not be stored in the refrigerator.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.