Nimodipine is a medicine used to treat subarachnoid haemorrhage. This is a condition where there is bleeding into the space around the brain causing severe headaches and stiff neck. Nimodipine works by relaxing the muscles of the small blood vessels in the brain. This helps keep the blood vessels open and improves blood flow to the brain. Nimodipine belongs to a group of medicines called calcium channel blockers.
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Nimodipine
Key points about nimodipine
- Nimodipine is used in the treatment of subarachnoid haemorrhage (bleeding in the space surrounding the brain).
- Nimodipine is also called Nimotop.
- Find out how to take it safely and possible side effects.
In Aotearoa New Zealand nimodipine is available as tablets (30 mg) and as an injection.
- The usual adult dose is 1 or 2 tablets every 4 hours (6 times a day). You will need to wake up during the night to take some doses. For example you can take your doses at 8am, 12 noon, 4pm, 8pm, 12 midnight and 4am.
- A course of treatment lasts for 21 days in total. This includes the time you have been given nimodipine as an injection while in hospital.
- Always take nimodipine exactly as your doctor has told you. The pharmacy label on your medicine will tell you how much to take, how often to take it and any special instructions.
- Food and drink: Swallow the tablets whole with a full glass of water. You can take nimodipine with or without food. Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice while you are taking nimodipine as it can change the levels of nimodipine in your body.
- Timing: Take your tablets at the same times each day. Keep track of the timing of your doses – there should be 4 hours between doses.
- Missed dose: If you forget to take your dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is nearly time for your next dose, take the next dose at the right time. Do not take extra doses to make up for a forgotten dose. If you are not sure what to do, ask your healthcare provider.
Here are some things to know when you're taking nimodipine. Other things may be important as well, so ask your healthcare provider what you should know about.
- Limit alcohol intake while you are taking nimodipine. Alcohol can increase your chance of side effects such as dizziness and light-headedness.
- Tell all your health care providers that you are taking nimodipine. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists and dentists.
- Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Like all medicines, nimodipine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Often side effects improve as your body gets used to the new medicine.
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| For more information on side effects, see the Medsafe consumer information leaflet/s below. Read more about medicines and side effects and reporting a reaction you think might be a side effect. |
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Nimodipine(external link) Patient Information NZ Formulary, NZ
Nimotop(external link) Medsafe Consumer Information, NZ
Resources
5 questions to ask about your medications(external link) Health Quality and Safety Commission, NZ, 2019 English(external link), te reo Māori(external link)
References
- Nimodipine(external link) NZ Formulary, NZ
Brochures
Medicines and side effects
Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ, 2024
5 questions to ask about your medications
Health Quality and Safety Commission, NZ, 2019 English, te reo Māori
Free helplines
Credits: Sandra Ponen, Pharmacist, Healthify He Puna Waiora. Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust.
Reviewed by: Caroline Woon, Nurse Educator, Capital & Coast District Health Board; Taryn Quinn, Medication Safety Advisor, Taranaki District Health Board
Last reviewed:
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