Persantine (Dipyridamole)

General information

Persantine belongs to a class of drugs known as platelet inhibitors (antiplatelets). It helps to keep blood flowing by stopping platelets from clumping together and by keeping heart blood vessels open. It is used to prevent blood clots that may occur after a heart valve replacement. Clots are a serious complication that can cause strokes, heart attacks, or blocked blood vessels in the lungs (pulmonary embolisms). It is also used for certain types of tests for the heart that examine how well blood is flowing through the heart.

Directions

Take Persantine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The recommended oral adult dose for preventing blood clots is 100 mg 4 times daily one hour before meals. If taken with 1 g ASA daily, the dose of dipyridamole can be reduced to 25 mg 4 times daily. Take it with a full glass of water.

Precautions

Before taking Persantine you should talk with your doctor if you have liver disease, low blood pressure, severe coronary artery disease (atherosclerosis), uncontrolled chest pain (angina), heart attack. It may cause lowering of blood pressure and increase the effect of blood pressure-lowering medications. Do not take aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive or perform tasks that require alertness. Limit alcoholic beverages.

Contraindications

Do not take Persantine if you are allergic to dipyridamole or any ingredients of the medication. Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It should not be used by a child younger than 12 years of age.

Possible side effect

Get emergency medical help if you have abdominal or stomach cramps, headache, diarrhea, dizziness, lightheadedness, vomiting, nausea, flushing, weakness, gallstones, yellow eyes or skin, chest pain, increased heart rate, low blood pressure, hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face or throat, unusual bleeding or bruising. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor.

Drug interactions

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially: adenosine, blood thinners (heparin, enoxaparin, dalteparin, ardeparin, fondaparinux, tinzaparin), cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine), abciximab, eptifibatide, valproic acid, pyridostigmine, neostigmine. Interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking.

Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as possible. Skip the missed dose if it is time for your next scheduled dose. Don't take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

If you think you have overdosed the medicine seek emergency medical help at once. The overdose symptoms are sweating, warmth or tingly feeling under your skin, dizziness, weakness, restlessness, fast heart rate, feeling lightheaded, or fainting.

Storage

Store the medicine at room temperature 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store the drugs in the bathroom. Keep all drugs away from reach of children and pets.

Note

The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.