Canadian pharmacy buying guide: drug characteristics, uses and benefits, side effects and interactions, and links for further information about buying discount drugs online from Canada.

Persantine Consumer Information

PERSANTINE

Generic Name: dipyridamole (dye peer ID a mole)

Brand Names: Persantine

What is the most important information I should know about dipyridamole?

• Do not take aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin, others), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox), and ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT) during therapy with dipyridamole. The combination could lead to bleeding, especially in your stomach. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before taking any over-the-counter or prescription medications for pain, inflammation (including arthritis), or fever.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Dipyridamole may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities.

What is dipyridamole?

• Dipyridamole stops platelets (substances in your blood necessary for blood clotting) from sticking together or attaching to prosthetic heart valve surfaces.
• Dipyridamole is used to prevent the formation of blood clots following heart valve replacement surgery.
• Dipyridamole may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking dipyridamole?

• Dipyridamole should be used cautiously if you have abnormally low blood pressure.
• Dipyridamole is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is unlikely to harm an unborn baby. Do not take dipyridamole without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
• Dipyridamole passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. Do not take dipyridamole without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
• The FDA has not approved dipyridamole for use by children younger than 12 years of age.

How should I take dipyridamole?

• Take dipyridamole exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
• Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.
• For best results, take dipyridamole on an empty stomach. However, it can be taken with food if it upsets your stomach.
• Store dipyridamole at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication. A double dose could be dangerous.

What happens if I overdose?

• Seek emergency medical attention.
• Symptoms of a dipyridamole overdose include slurred speech, loss of balance, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy or decreased movement.

What should I avoid while taking dipyridamole?

• Do not take aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin, others), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox), or ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT) during therapy with dipyridamole. The combination could lead to bleeding, especially in your stomach. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before taking any over-the-counter or prescription medications for pain, inflammation (including arthritis), or fever.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Dipyridamole may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities.

What are the possible side effects of dipyridamole?

• Stop taking dipyridamole and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives).
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take dipyridamole and talk to your doctor if you experience
• dizziness;
• upset stomach, nausea, or vomiting;
• headache; or
• a rash.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect dipyridamole?

• Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin, others), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox), and ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT) could lead to bleeding if taken during dipyridamole therapy. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before taking any over-the-counter or prescription medications for pain, inflammation (including arthritis), or fever. Other commonly used NSAIDs include diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), etodolac (Lodine), fenoprofen (Nalfon), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketorolac (Toradol), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac (Clinoril), and tolmetin (Tolectin).
• During therapy with dipyridamole, you may also be taking warfarin (Coumadin). This medicine interacts with many other drugs, so use caution and follow the instructions of your doctor and pharmacist.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with dipyridamole. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has additional information about dipyridamole written for health professionals that you may read.
• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed

Limitations of This Canadian Pharmacy Information

Efforts have been made to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. This information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. This is an educational resource only intended to supplement but not to replace the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, please check with your doctor, nurse or local pharmacist. This site does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided here.

Full public license and copyright information is available separately from Cerner Multum, Inc.

Version: 3.05. Revision Date: 2/14/03.