Home Drug Guide Dipyridamole

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Dipyridamole

Brand Names Persantine, IV Persantine

Classification

Therapeutic: Antiplatelet agent, Vasodilator

Pharmacological: Phosphodiesterase inhibitor

FDA Approved Indications

  • Prevention of thromboembolism after heart valve surgery
  • Adjunct to anticoagulation therapy in certain patients

Mechanism of Action

Inhibits platelet aggregation by increasing intracellular levels of cyclic AMP through inhibition of phosphodiesterase; also causes vasodilation by increasing nitric oxide release.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Typically 75-100 mg four times daily for oral therapy; IV dosing varies, usually 0.5-2 mg/min infusion

Pediatric: Not generally used in pediatric population; consult specific guidelines

Geriatric: Adjust dose based on response and tolerability

Renal Impairment: Use with caution; monitor renal function and bleeding risk

Hepatic Impairment: Use caution; dose adjustments may be necessary

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Well absorbed orally

Distribution: Widely distributed, crosses the blood-brain barrier

Metabolism: Primarily hepatic, via conjugation

Excretion: Renal excretion of metabolites

Half Life: About 10-12 hours

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to dipyridamole or components
  • History of bleeding disorders
  • Severe hypotension

Precautions

  • Use with caution in patients with bleeding risk, severe hepatic impairment, or during pregnancy and lactation; monitor for bleeding and hypotension

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Headache (Common)
  • Dizziness (Common)
  • Gastrointestinal discomfort (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Bleeding (Serious)
  • Hypotension (Serious)
  • Allergic reactions including rash, angioedema (Serious)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin, heparin) — increased bleeding risk
  • Other vasodilators — additive hypotensive effect

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor for signs of bleeding, blood pressure, and neurological status

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for bleeding
  • Ineffective tissue perfusion

Implementation: Administer as prescribed, monitor INR if on anticoagulants, observe for adverse effects

Evaluation: Assess efficacy in preventing thromboembolism and monitor for side effects

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Report unusual bleeding or bruising
  • Inform about potential headaches and dizziness
  • Advise to avoid abrupt cessation of medication

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings: N/A

Genetic Factors: N/A

Lab Test Interference: May affect bleeding-related lab tests, INR, and bleeding time

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Excessive bleeding, hypotension

Treatment: Supportive care, stopping the drug, blood transfusions if necessary, and monitoring hemostasis

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature, 20-25°C, protected from light and moisture

Stability: Stable until the expiration date on the label

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.