Drug Action
Nimodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium- channel blocker.
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Drug reference
Nimodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium- channel blocker.
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Prevention of ischaemic neurological defects following aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage ▶BY MOUTH ▶Adult: 60 mg every 4 hours, to be started within 4 days of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage and continued for 21 days Treatment of ischaemic neurological defects following aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage ▶BY INTRAVENOUS INFUSION ▶Adult (body-weight up to 70 kg): Initially up to 0.5 mg/hour, increased after 2 hours if no severe fall in blood pressure; increased to 2 mg/hour and continue for at least 5 days (max. 14 days); if surgical intervention during treatment, continue for at least 5 days after surgery; max. total duration of nimodipine use 21 days, to be given via central catheter ▶Adult (body-weight 70 kg and above): Initially 1 mg/hour, increased after 2 hours if no severe fall in blood pressure; increased to 2 mg/hour and continue for at least 5 days (max. 14 days); if surgical intervention during treatment, continue for at least 5 days after surgery; max. total duration of nimodipine use 21 days, to be given via central catheter Treatment of ischaemic neurological defects following aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage in patients with unstable blood pressure ▶BY INTRAVENOUS INFUSION ▶Adult: Initially up to 0.5 mg/hour, increased after 2 hours if no severe fall in blood pressure; increased to 2 mg/hour and continue for at least 5 days (max. 14 days); if surgical intervention during treatment, continue for at least 5 days after surgery; max. total duration of nimodipine use 21 days, to be given via central catheter
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Unstable angina. within 1 month of myocardial infarction
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Cerebral oedema. hypotension. severely raised intracranial pressure
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SAFE PRACTICE Nimodipine has been confused with amlodipine; care must be taken to ensure the correct drug is prescribed and dispensed.
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→Appendix 1: calcium channel blockers
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▶Uncommon Thrombocytopenia. vasodilation ▶Rare or very rare Bradycardia. ileus
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Manufacturer advises use only if potential benefit outweighs risk.
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Manufacturer advises avoid—present in milk.
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▶With oral use Manufacturer advises consider avoiding in severe impairment. Dose adjustments ▶With oral use Manufacturer advises dose reduction, if used in severe impairment.
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Monitoring ▶With intravenous use Manufacturer advises monitor renal function closely in renal impairment.
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Avoid concomitant administration of nimodipine infusion and tablets. ▶With oral use For administration by mouth, tablets may be crushed or halved but are light sensitive—administer immediately. ▶With intravenous use For intravenous infusion, give via drip tubing in Glucose 5% or Sodium chloride 0.9%. Not to be added to infusion container; administer via an infusion pump through a Y-piece into a central catheter; incompatible with polyvinyl chloride giving sets or containers; protect infusion from light. ▶With intravenous use Polyethylene, polypropylene, or glass apparatus should be used.
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There can be variation in the licensing of different medicines containing the same drug. Forms available from special-order manufacturers include: oral suspension Solution for infusion ▶Nimotop (Bayer Plc) Nimodipine 200 microgram per 1 ml Nimotop 0.02% solution for infusion 50ml vials | 1 vial P £13.60 (Hospital only) Tablet ▶Nimotop (Bayer Plc) Nimodipine 30 mg Nimotop 30mg tablets | 100 tablet P £40.00 DT = £40.00 Blood clots 3.1 Blocked catheters and lines Other drugs used for Blocked catheters and lines Heparin (unfractionated), p. 143. Urokinase, p. 148 PROSTAGLANDINS AND ANALOGUES
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60 mg every 4 hours, to be started within 4 days
First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.
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Initially up to
First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.
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Initially 1 mg/hour,
First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.
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Initially up to 0.5 mg/hour, increased after
First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.
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