Summer BanksDipyridamole
November 10th 2006 02:51
Dipyridamole :
Dipyridamole is primarily used to prevent blood-clot formation, especially in patients who have artificial heart valves and are taking the blood thinner warfarin. Dipyridamole has also been used to prevent chronic chest pain (angina) due to heart disease, although this medication has not been found to be highly effective for the treatment of angina.
Treatment :
Take dipyridamole on an empty stomach with a full glass of water one hour before or two hours after a meal. If this drug upsets your stomach, check with your doctor to see if you can take it with food.
The full benefits of this medication may not become apparent for up to two to three months. If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, if it is within four hours of your next scheduled dose, do not take the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the next dose.
Side Effects :
Minor: Dizziness, fatigue, flushing, headache, nausea, stomach cramps, or weakness. These side effects should disappear as your body adjusts to dipyridamole.
To avoid dizziness or light-headedness when you stand, contract and relax the muscles of your legs for a few moments before rising. Do this by pushing one foot against the floor while raising the other foot slightly, alternating feet so that you are "pumping" your legs in a pedaling motion.
Major: Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about fainting, skin rash, or a worsening of your chest pain.
Warnings :
Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to any medications, especially to dipyridamole.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had low blood pressure.
The effectiveness of dipyridamole in controlling chronic angina is controversial. At one time, dipyridamole was indicated as "possibly effective" for long-term therapy of chronic angina, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) withdrew its approval for this specific use. Today, this medication is more frequently prescribed with blood-thinner medications (warfarin) to prevent blood-clot formation after heart valve replacement.
Dipyridamole is primarily used to prevent blood-clot formation, especially in patients who have artificial heart valves and are taking the blood thinner warfarin. Dipyridamole has also been used to prevent chronic chest pain (angina) due to heart disease, although this medication has not been found to be highly effective for the treatment of angina.
Treatment :
Take dipyridamole on an empty stomach with a full glass of water one hour before or two hours after a meal. If this drug upsets your stomach, check with your doctor to see if you can take it with food.
Side Effects :
Minor: Dizziness, fatigue, flushing, headache, nausea, stomach cramps, or weakness. These side effects should disappear as your body adjusts to dipyridamole.
To avoid dizziness or light-headedness when you stand, contract and relax the muscles of your legs for a few moments before rising. Do this by pushing one foot against the floor while raising the other foot slightly, alternating feet so that you are "pumping" your legs in a pedaling motion.
Major: Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about fainting, skin rash, or a worsening of your chest pain.
Warnings :
Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to any medications, especially to dipyridamole.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had low blood pressure.
The effectiveness of dipyridamole in controlling chronic angina is controversial. At one time, dipyridamole was indicated as "possibly effective" for long-term therapy of chronic angina, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) withdrew its approval for this specific use. Today, this medication is more frequently prescribed with blood-thinner medications (warfarin) to prevent blood-clot formation after heart valve replacement.
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