Dipyridamole (Persantine)

Description

Dipyridamole is a medication given to patients who have undergone a heart valve transplant. This is an antiplatelet drug that prevents blood platelets from concentrating together and forming clots around the artificial valves. It is used to reduce the risk of strokes, pulmonary embolisms and heart attacks in patients.

Usage

It is vital that you follow the exact directions given to you when using Dipyridamole. Both too much and too little can be detrimental to your health and result in further complications. This is especially important because this medication is taken along with other drugs that react as blood thinners. Never take an extra quantity of Dipyridamole even if you miss a dose. It is also vital to consult with your doctor before stopping the drug. The dosage relevant to you will depend on the nature of your medical condition, your age, weight and few other attributes.

Precautions

Dipyridamole should never be taken with Aspirin or any similar drugs. Be careful before taking over the counter medications for everyday sicknesses if you have been prescribed this drug. Take into consideration any allergies that you may have for it prior to using it. Your medical history will also play a vital role in deciding if the drug is suitable for you.

Patients with a history of heart and liver diseases should inform their doctors before taking the medication.
Pregnant women should only take Dipyridamole when absolutely necessary and should consult with a doctor before breast feeding, since the drug can be transferred via breast milk. You should be careful when trying to stand up suddenly since there can be a few seconds of dizziness when you change posture. Reducing the consumption of alcohol is also recommended for patients taking the medication.

It is a must to let your doctors know about the usage of this drug before going under any surgical procedure since Dipyridamole has the tendency to increase bleeding.

Side effects

Nausea, dizziness and headaches can occur in most patients at first. They are most likely due to a new drug being introduced to your body. Generally, these difficulties would go away with time. Stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea and flushing are also effects that are common among Dipyridamole users at first. However, it is important to remember that these effects should not last longer than necessary. It is advisable to consult a doctor if they fail to diminish with time.

Tightness of neck, yellow eyes or skin, gallstones and chest pains are among the more rare side effects which can indicate that your body isn’t responding well to the medication. These conditions would demand you to meet your doctor immediately.

A few other temporary side effects may also include muscle pain, loss of hair, weakness, sneezing and a runny nose.

Drug interactions

Since Dipyridamole is taken alongside other medications, it is important to consider drug interactions and their effect on your health. Aspirin, Heparin and Warfarin are among the most common drugs taken with Dypyridamole. The best way to ensure that the interactions between these drugs don’t cause issues is by letting your doctor know about all the medications that you are taking beforehand.