In this Article

• What is nimodipine (Nimotop)?
• What are the possible side effects of nimodipine (Nimotop)?
• What is the most important information I should know about nimodipine (Nimotop)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking nimodipine (Nimotop)?
• How should I take nimodipine (Nimotop)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Nimotop)?
• What happens if I overdose (Nimotop)?
• What should I avoid while taking nimodipine (Nimotop)?
• What other drugs will affect nimodipine (Nimotop)?
• Where can I get more information?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking nimodipine (Nimotop)?

Before taking nimodipine, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver disease;
• low blood pressure;
• high blood pressure for which you take medication; or
• a history of heart problems such as a slow heart rate, congestive heart failure, or heart attack.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use nimodipine, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known if nimodipine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing infant. Do not take nimodipine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

If you are over 65 years of age, you may be more likely to have side effects from nimodipine. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of this medication.

How should I take nimodipine (Nimotop)?

Take nimodipine exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor.

Nimodipine gel capsules are to be taken by mouth only. The medicine in the capsule should never be placed into a needle and syringe and injected into a vein. If the person taking nimodipine cannot swallow the capsule, use a needle to make a hole in each end of the capsule, and squeeze the medicine out into an oral syringe. The syringe can then be used to give the medicine through a nasogastric (through the nose and into the stomach) tube.

If you are able to swallow capsules, take nimodipine on an empty stomach, one hour before or two hours after meals.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

It is important to take nimodipine regularly to get the most benefit.

Do not stop taking nimodipine without first talking to your doctor, even if you begin to feel better. If you stop taking the medication, your condition could become worse.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your liver function may also need to be tested. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Store nimodipine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.